QiGong

cultivate your vitality!
 

What is Qigong?

Qigong is the practice of optimizing your life energy through movement, imagery, and deep breathing. It was developed thousands of years ago as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve and maintain health and well-being.

Qigong can be practiced anywhere - alone or in a group, standing, seated, or lying down. The moves are slow and gentle, the mind is focused and calm, and the breath is slow and deep.

Control Your Breath

The easy movements of qigong are coordinated with your breathing to lengthen your breath - deep inhale and a long, slow exhale. Control of your breath is calming in and of itself, and when you sync your breath with slow, controlled movements, it focuses your attention and calms your mind.

Use Your Imagination

The imagery of qigong often reminds me of Haiku poetry because it invokes the natural world and is expressed in the present tense:

"lotus flower emerges from water"
"wind brushes emerald willows"
"paired swallows skim upon the water"

Such names give your mind something to rest on, and bring depth to your qigong as you imagine recreating the beauty of the natural world with your body's movement.

Putting it All Together

Moving in a gentle way, controlling your breath, and focusing your mind on the beauty of the natural world... it's a winning combination that reaps great rewards for your health and well-being!