What is Qigong?

Over the last couple of years, I have leaned into my own qigong practice more and more. In addition to helping me manage my energy levels more effectively, I have found qigong hugely beneficial for keeping me on a more even keel emotionally, especially through the challenges of the pandemic.

I’ve been incorporating a little qigong into our yoga sessions for some time now but I’m looking forward to offering new weekly Yoga & Qigong sessions at Stonnall Village Hall from January 2022. These sessions will be a mix of some slow yoga (mainly floor based), with the emphasis on learning a wide range of qigong practices.

One question that I’m often asked is: ‘What is Qigong?’

Qigong (pronounced chee-gung) is an ancient Chinese practice incorporating gentle movement, meditation, visualisation and breathing practices designed to increase vitality, strengthen the body and bring about a more tranquil state of mind.

Dating back thousands of years, qigong is one of the five pillars of Chinese medicine (along with acupuncture, massage, herbs and feng shui) and it is also the foundation of most Chinese martial arts. It draws on the spiritual teachings of Daoism and Buddhism but, like yoga, it is not a religious practice, so it is open to anyone.

In Chinese medicine, it is believed that there is a flow of vital energy (or qi) circulating throughout the body, bringing nourishment to the organs, joints, tendons, muscles, tissues, hair, skin etc. When we practise qigong, our aim is to cultivate healthy qi and keep it flowing freely.

It is a practice intended to improve our health and wellbeing by bringing us back to a feeling of being more in balance physically, mentally and emotionally.

The movements are often slow and repetitive, like a moving meditation, helping to calm the nervous system. But many qigong forms also encourage a sense of playfulness and spontaneity. At the same time, we use deep breathing, visualisation and intention to help create a greater sense of harmony in the body, mind and spirit.

Studies suggest qigong may help to improve circulation and respiration, regulate blood pressure, improve strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, support the immune function, improve mood, focus, concentration and memory and reduce stress and tension.

It’s an accessible practice that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their current state of health.

Our new Yoga & Qigong sessions are ideal for beginners but also suitable for those who have practised yoga and/or qigong before.

Numbers will remain limited for now and, in order to keep us all as safe as possible, we will continue to follow procedures designed to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Places are already beginning to fill up, but if you would like to join this small and friendly group, do get in touch by clicking on the ‘Contact Maria’ button below to send me an email.