about qigong

Qigong (which includes acupressure, meditation, visualization, yoga, and mindful movement) is a practice that involves and benefits the whole being.

While qigong is ancient, with a history of 5,000 years or more, it is an extremely valuable practice for the modern person. A regular practice will, over time, result in a more relaxed, peaceful, strong, energized, and balanced person — physically, energetically, and spiritually.

Working with posture, movement, breath and focused intention, qigong is incredibly transforming on all levels of being. Organs, bones, muscles, connective tissue, body systems, meridians, energy centers, emotions — nothing is left out. The practice is held in the wonderful and practical philosophy of nature, calling on the wisdom of the seasons, the Five Elements, animals, colours, and the emotions and virtues of the body’s organs, to guide the way to a more balanced, healthy life.

Gentle, but powerful, qigong is a beautiful practice that is accessible and beneficial for anyone.

“Everything I love and value in a practice and life philosophy can be found in qigong — movement with the breath, gentle but powerful energy work, meditation, body awareness, visualization, and the influences of colour, nature, earth, and universe. Balance, harmony, and a deep peace are the results. A new relationship with oneself and life are the gifts. Qigong is truly amazing and helps people live their best lives.”  — Sandra

 


Benefits of Qigong practice and personal acupressure sessions:

An evidence-based review of qigong by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (Natural Medicine Journal, May 2010 Vol. 2 Issue 5) defines qigong as “An umbrella term that subsumes a variety of energy-based healing practices based on Daoist philosophy and principles of Chinese medical theory.”

Scientific studies suggest a regular qigong practice helps with:

  • Anxiety
  • Asthma
  • Attention span
  • Bereaved persons
  • Bone mass
  • Brain processing speed
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic neck pain
  • Circulation and oxygenation
  • Coordination
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • High blood pressure
  • Immune function
  • Inflammation
  • insomnia
  • Longevity
  • Low back pain
  • Low energy
  • Menopause
  • Mind-body therapy for supportive cancer care
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Perimenopause
  • Physical flexibility and fitness
  • PMS
  • Poor health-related quality of life
  • Poor sleep quality
  • Psychological health
  • Recovery and improvement of balance
  • Recovery in anorexia nervosa
  • Recovery in cancer survivors
  • Stress relief
  • Tendon and ligaments health
  • Type 2 diabetes

Traditionally, qigong and acupressure is considered to be beneficial for:

  • Awareness, intuition and creativity
  • Balancing body chemistry (increasing alkalinity)
  • Balancing emotions
  • Bone density
  • Boosting energy level
  • Boosting immunity
  • Calming body and mind
  • Cultivating spirituality
  • Deeper, restorative sleep
  • Digestion
  • Easing stress
  • Feeling good, positive and healthy
  • Improve overall wellbeing
  • Improving circulation
  • Increased vitality and fertility
  • Increasing organ health
  • Increasing skin and eye health
  • Integrating body, mind and spirit
  • Pain reduction
  • Relaxing muscle tension
  • Relief from migraines
  • Strengthening nerves
  • Transforming stress into vitality


Qigong Resources:

Books:

  • Chi Self-Massage: The Taoist way of rejuvenation by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2006)
  • Energy Balance through the Tao: Exercises for cultivating yin energy by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2005)
  • Iron Shirt Chi Kung by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2006)
  • Tan Tien Chi Kung: Foundational exercises for empty force and perineum power by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2004)
  • Tao Tantric Arts for Women by Minke de Vos (Destiny Books, 2016)
  • Tao Te Ching: A new English version by Stephen Mitchell (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006)
  • Taoist Gigong for Health and Vitality by Sat Chuen Hon (Shambhala Publications, 2003)
  • The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating extraordinary wellness through qigong and tai chi by Roger Jahnke (Contemporary Books, 2002)
  • The Inner Smile: Increasing chi through the cultivation of joy by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2008)
  • The Six healing Sounds: Taoist techniques for balancing chi by Mantak Chia (Destiny Books, 2009)
  • The Way of Qigong: The art and science of Chinese energy healing by Kenneth S. Cohen (Ballantine Books, 1997)
  • Women’s Qigong for Health & Longevity: A practical guide for women forty and older by Deborah Davis (Shambhala Publications, 2008)

Online:


For more information, to register for classes, or to schedule a personal healing session email Sandra.