Qi Gong - A multifaceted and dynamic approach

Understanding Qi: The Vital Life Force

• What is Qi?

Qigong is a moving meditation that balances body, mind, and spirit. Qi is the concept of a creative life force energy that permeates the universe. It's everywhere, from the rotation of planets to the formation of our bodies, breath, and minds. It's the essence of our true nature.

• The Flow of Qi and its Impact on Health

Qi, when flowing freely, keeps us healthy. However, various factors can disrupt this flow through invisible pathways called meridians. These meridians nourish our internal organs with life force. Blockages or stagnation of qi can lead to dis-ease.

• Organs, Emotions, and Qi Blockages

Each organ is associated with a specific emotion. When we experience strong emotions for extended periods, qi becomes sluggish and stagnant in the corresponding organ. This disharmony can lead to feelings of depletion or even physical illness if left unaddressed.

Maintaining Qi Flow: Practices of Qigong

Qigong offers a variety of practices to maintain the steady flow of qi between acupuncture or herbal medicine treatments. These practices enhance the vitality of our body, breath, and mind.

1. Movement for Unblocking and Renewal

Gentle (and sometimes more vigorous) movements, tapping, twisting, and even specific healing sounds are used in qigong to clear blockages and usher fresh, vibrant qi into our bodies.

2. Breathwork for Calming and Nourishment

Breathing exercises are scientifically proven to calm intense emotional responses like anxiety or panic. By changing our breathing patterns, we alter our blood chemistry and bring more oxygen to nourish our brain and other vital organs.

3. Self-Massage for Release and Repair

The body remembers past experiences, including physical and emotional trauma, overthinking, stress, depression, injuries, and illnesses. These experiences can leave energetic blockages that linger for years if ignored. Self-applied massage in Qigong practice helps soften tissues holding onto these blockages and directs fresh qi to deep within our bodies to promote healing.

4. Meditation for Awareness and Stillness

Meditation is often portrayed as a complex or mystical practice, but it's quite simple. Anyone can meditate! People often say, "I can't meditate" after trying it once or twice. But that's not true. The fact that they realize they "can't meditate" shows they were, in fact, meditating.

A common misconception is that meditation requires achieving profound mystical experiences or emptying your mind completely.

Meditation is simply becoming aware of what your mind is doing. When people meditate for the first time, they're often surprised by how busy their minds are. These thoughts were always there, creating a background static that causes tension and agitation without us even realizing it. In meditation, we sit down and observe our minds, noticing the constant flow of thoughts.

Over time, we learn to let go of chaotic thoughts and cultivate inner peace, allowing our qi to flow freely throughout our body, mind, and spirit.

Qigong is a multifaceted and dynamic approach to enhancing vitality and improving our lives. It's simple, easy to learn, and most movements can be modified for any physical capability. Come try out a free class and see for yourself!