Winter 2019
Qigong for Health and Wellbeing
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Qi amongst the Trees Qigong for Health and Wellbeing
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For gentle healing, relaxation and integration
Come along to classes of the ancient healing forms of Qigong – Learn how to restore your energy and manage stress through the use of breath, movement and awareness. Suitable for everyone. |
For gentle healing, relaxation and integration
Come and join us for a session of the ancient healing forms of Qigong amongst the trees using breath, movement and awareness. Celebrating the Energy of the Seasons. |
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What can you Expect at a Qigong Class?
When you come to the Qigong class, you will be welcomed by me and invited to share some the herbal tea. There are glasses of water to drink.
You will be asked to fill out a brief registration form, so that when you come to subsequent classes, you will only need to sign the attendance sheet if you wish.
Qigong is a gentle practice. If you do need to sit down chairs there are chairs out for you to use at anytime.
So how does the Class go?
There is usually a walking practice at the beginning of each session. This allows us to let go of the stresses of the day and bring in an awareness of how our body feels. The cultivation of sensitivity, movement and feedback in our feet is so important as we get older. We need to encourage flexibility, relaxation and reconnection with our feet so that we can maintain and improve our balance.
This is followed by warm-ups made up of light stretches and opening movements. This helps to relax the body and prepares it for the session. Please be aware that you are always in control and that you regulate your movements to suit your own particular needs, ability and flexibility.
Qigong does not force the body, it goes with and supports the body. Simple movements help you to reconnect with your body and to feel where there is tightness and restriction so that you can begin to soften and release.
After the body is warmed up we move on to Qigong forms designed to increase your awareness of energy moving in your body. These sequences promote the circulation of blood, oxygen and Qi and are used alongside the internal practices of breathing, meditation and visualisation that calm the nervous system.
Many of these forms are thousands of years old. They are moving meditations, co-ordinating breath, movement and awareness.
Towards the end of the session there is a seated meditation to aid reflection and the integration of the energy that you have cultivated during the session.
Finally, the session ends with the Healing Form. A form that can practised sitting, standing and lying down. The healing form is of great benefit to everyone.
You will be asked to fill out a brief registration form, so that when you come to subsequent classes, you will only need to sign the attendance sheet if you wish.
Qigong is a gentle practice. If you do need to sit down chairs there are chairs out for you to use at anytime.
So how does the Class go?
There is usually a walking practice at the beginning of each session. This allows us to let go of the stresses of the day and bring in an awareness of how our body feels. The cultivation of sensitivity, movement and feedback in our feet is so important as we get older. We need to encourage flexibility, relaxation and reconnection with our feet so that we can maintain and improve our balance.
This is followed by warm-ups made up of light stretches and opening movements. This helps to relax the body and prepares it for the session. Please be aware that you are always in control and that you regulate your movements to suit your own particular needs, ability and flexibility.
Qigong does not force the body, it goes with and supports the body. Simple movements help you to reconnect with your body and to feel where there is tightness and restriction so that you can begin to soften and release.
After the body is warmed up we move on to Qigong forms designed to increase your awareness of energy moving in your body. These sequences promote the circulation of blood, oxygen and Qi and are used alongside the internal practices of breathing, meditation and visualisation that calm the nervous system.
Many of these forms are thousands of years old. They are moving meditations, co-ordinating breath, movement and awareness.
Towards the end of the session there is a seated meditation to aid reflection and the integration of the energy that you have cultivated during the session.
Finally, the session ends with the Healing Form. A form that can practised sitting, standing and lying down. The healing form is of great benefit to everyone.
What is Qigong?
The word Qigong translates as energy cultivation. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system. Archaeologists and historians have found references to qigong-like techniques that are at least five thousand years old.
Qigong integrates physical movement, breathing techniques and meditative awareness. It is based on the same meridian system used in acupuncture and shiatsu.
The movements are easy to learn and accessible to everyone. It is not necessary to be fit to begin to benefit from Qigong. Flexibility is not required. Qigong Forms can be modified for almost anyone, and you can sit down to practice if you need or wish to.
Learning Qigong requires energetic and physical skills that we can all cultivate. It encompasses, warm up exercises, feeling one’s physical qi, connection to the support of the group, sitting meditation, breathing exercises, qigong walks, qigong movement forms, and nurtures an active, focused mind, humour, good grounding, curiosity, and lightness of being.
As a health practice, Qigong works in a number of ways - it is physical, it works with aligning the body and retraining how you move. It can be a surprise to realise how uncoordinated you can feel when asked to move in seemingly simple, but unfamiliar ways.
As your body becomes accustomed to new movements your legs become stronger and your balance improves.
Qigong works by reducing the stress and tension in your body. Often, people are unaware of this tension as it feels "normal. “ Qigong allows you to soften and relax the body so that you learn to tune into the tension and then release it. Through this process the body finds a new "normal" that doesn't require unnecessary tension. The joints begin to feel better, circulation is improved, and the body has more energy.
Qigong brings benefits through meditation. Moving meditation exercises help to improve the connection between body and mind and offer ways to reduce mental and physical stress.
Qigong integrates physical movement, breathing techniques and meditative awareness. It is based on the same meridian system used in acupuncture and shiatsu.
The movements are easy to learn and accessible to everyone. It is not necessary to be fit to begin to benefit from Qigong. Flexibility is not required. Qigong Forms can be modified for almost anyone, and you can sit down to practice if you need or wish to.
Learning Qigong requires energetic and physical skills that we can all cultivate. It encompasses, warm up exercises, feeling one’s physical qi, connection to the support of the group, sitting meditation, breathing exercises, qigong walks, qigong movement forms, and nurtures an active, focused mind, humour, good grounding, curiosity, and lightness of being.
As a health practice, Qigong works in a number of ways - it is physical, it works with aligning the body and retraining how you move. It can be a surprise to realise how uncoordinated you can feel when asked to move in seemingly simple, but unfamiliar ways.
As your body becomes accustomed to new movements your legs become stronger and your balance improves.
Qigong works by reducing the stress and tension in your body. Often, people are unaware of this tension as it feels "normal. “ Qigong allows you to soften and relax the body so that you learn to tune into the tension and then release it. Through this process the body finds a new "normal" that doesn't require unnecessary tension. The joints begin to feel better, circulation is improved, and the body has more energy.
Qigong brings benefits through meditation. Moving meditation exercises help to improve the connection between body and mind and offer ways to reduce mental and physical stress.
What Are the Health Benefits?
Qigong is a practice that cultivates "qi," or life energy. Although Qi can't be measured objectively, science has now proved the existence of the meridian system through which qi flows.
Qigong fosters strength, flexibility and balance. It assists in calming the mind and alleviating stress. It has a harmonising, healing effect on the functioning of the internal organs and bodily systems. It increases the supply and flow of energy throughout the body, supporting rejuvenation and longevity. It helps to strengthen muscles through simple movements.
The health benefits of Qigong are still being discovered. A Harvard medical publication said it should also be called “moving medication.”
"One theory is that qigong helps people to relax and combat stress,"
At the most basic level, Qigong can improve strength, balance and physical integration. Practitioners of Qigong often comment about reduced pain, stress - both physical and mental, an improved immune system, improved circulation, better sleep and a general overall feeling of well being. The movements coordinate the mind, body, and breath and promote refreshment, vitality and a sense of calm.
Qigong fosters strength, flexibility and balance. It assists in calming the mind and alleviating stress. It has a harmonising, healing effect on the functioning of the internal organs and bodily systems. It increases the supply and flow of energy throughout the body, supporting rejuvenation and longevity. It helps to strengthen muscles through simple movements.
The health benefits of Qigong are still being discovered. A Harvard medical publication said it should also be called “moving medication.”
"One theory is that qigong helps people to relax and combat stress,"
At the most basic level, Qigong can improve strength, balance and physical integration. Practitioners of Qigong often comment about reduced pain, stress - both physical and mental, an improved immune system, improved circulation, better sleep and a general overall feeling of well being. The movements coordinate the mind, body, and breath and promote refreshment, vitality and a sense of calm.
