January 4, 2019

One of the ways qigong is effective for those of us feeling stressed or anxious is through the power of the breath. In fact, the Harvard Medical School names qigong as one of the ways in which to “turn down your response to stress.”¹The breath can bring space and softness to tension and held or blocked emotion. The lower belly breathing we do—breathing into the lower dantian or energy field—loosens up tense muscles and signals the brain that we are relaxing, so it can turn off the flight or fight stress response. Long, smooth breaths, in and out of the nose, shift us from the sympathetic nervous system (where we react to stress) to the parasympathetic nervous system (where we can rest and also digest both nutrition and life experience).

Registration is open for the upcoming Qigong for Stress and Anxiety workshop where we will use the breath during guided meditation, dao yoga body breathing, and also our flowing qigong movements. We’ll also practice self-help sound healing and Qi self-massage to specifically move and address stress and anxiety.

Saturday, January 12, 2019, 2 – 4 pm
Cranberry Community Hall (6828 Cranberry St., Powell River)
$40 (price includes an original, printed resource for your home practice)
Note: If you’ve already taken this workshop and would like to attend again you may do so for half the price.

Classes are scent-free. Please dress in layers. The room will be well heated, but windows will be cracked open for fresh Qi to circulate. For this workshop please bring indoor shoes and a blanket.

Class size is limited. To register email Sandra.

Harvard Medical School. “Relaxation techniques: Breath control helps quell errant stress response,” Harvard Health Publishing, Boston, March 18, 2016. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/relaxation-techniques-breath-control-helps-quell-errant-stress-response

Namaste,
Sandra