Jenna and I had the opportunity to take an introductory Qigong class (pronouced chee gung) yesterday at Windbell Wellness Center in Pleasant Hill. The class was led by Martha Scheer, a qi gong and reiki practitioner who brings her skills to us from the style of healing Qigong. The class was 90 minutes of movement and breathing techniques focused on activating our qi, opening the channels and nourishing the organs. Afterward I felt light, but grounded and energized…exactly what I needed!
Qigong has a history that dates back thousands of years. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate our qi (life force energy). In Chinese medicine, we practice Qigong as a method for prevention and self-healing. The techniques are often incorporated into treatment and are recommended to patients to do at home. Everyone can benefit from Qigong. It can be done sitting, standing and even lying down, making it easy for people of all ages and health conditions. It can assist in the healing process for almost any physical, mental and emotional condition. Practitioners often practice Qigong to prevent themselves from becoming drained and to cultivate a positive healing presence for their patients.
The best way to learn Qigong is from a trained practitioner. If you are in the Contra Costa area, visit the Windbell Wellness Center website to find out more about their classes.
And for more information on Qigong and how you can benefit, The Qigong Research and Practice Center in Colorado has a wonderful website.
