Qigong (also spelled Ch'i Kung) is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind. In the past, qigong was also called nei gong (inner work) and dao yin (guiding energy).
How do I say it?
Qi pronounce chee
Gong pronounce gung, as in lung
How old is Qigong?
The documented history of qigong goes back approximately 2,500 years. However Chinese archaeologists and historians have found references to qigong-like techniques at least five thousand years old.
Why study Qigong?
Qigong has four major areas of application:
1. Healing Qigong (Yi Gong). Healing Qigong (sometimes translated "Medical Qigong") is the preventive and self-healing aspect of Chinese medicine. We are all exposed to stress. Qigong teaches us how to control our reactions to stress so that life events do not cause such symptoms as high blood pressure, frustration, or anxiety. Healthy people practice qigong to become super-healthy. Healers use qigong to prevent "healer burn-out" and to maintain a positive presence.
2. External Qi Healing (Wai Qi Zhi Liao). Qigong includes a sophisticated system of health assessment and non-contact treatment called External Qi Healing (EQH). The healer learns to tap into a well of healing energy in nature and "funnel" it through his or her body. Unlike some purely intuitive systems, EQH includes exercises that increase sensitivity to energy fields and efficacy of treatment. The more you practice External Qi Healing exercises and meditations, the more effective your healing treatment. External Qi Healing techniques may be used as a stand alone form of wellness treatment or may be combined with massage, acupuncture, Therapeutic Touch, osteopathy, or any other form of body-work. Because treatment is generally performed at a distance from the body, EQH does not violate psychotherapists' professional ethics (which do not allow touching the patient) and is thus an ideal adjunct to body-centered psychotherapy.
3. Sports Qigong (Wu Gong). In sports and martial arts, qigong is the key to strength, stamina, coordination, speed, flexibility, balance, and resistance to injury. Qigong exercises can improve performance in any sport, improving the golf drive, tackling ability in football, accuracy in tennis, and stamina in swimming.
4. Spiritual Qigong (Fo Gong, Tao Gong). As a spiritual discipline, qigong leads to self-awareness, tranquillity, and harmony with nature. The spiritual aspect of qigong evolved from Taoism and Buddhism.
Lesser Known Categories
Art Qigong. In the arts, qigong leads to aesthetic sensitivity. Nature uses our eyes to see herself. The qigong practitioner feels such oneness with nature that he or she feels as though the beautiful pine tree is expressing itself through the brush or poem. Students of theater, mime, and other expressive arts practice qigong to increase confidence, physical and emotional control, and expressive ability.
Business Qigong. In the business world, qigong can lead to greater integrity, defined by brilliant Law Professor Julian Gresser as, "...a sense of connectedness, coherence, wholeness, and vitality. Integrity is the capacity of every living thing to hold its own in the face of entropy, disorder, and uncertainty, its link to the living world, its ability to carry on its life, however humble." (Piloting Through Choas, p. 8) Qigong practitioners are more resistant to stress; make better decisions; encourage credibility, confidence and team spirit; and are far more efficient. Most importantly, qigong is the ideal therapy for "hurry sickness"-- the habitual sense of time urgency-- a major risk factor for heart disease and accelerated aging.
Who can benefit?
Because qigong includes both dynamic and gentle techniques that can be practiced from standing, seated, or supine postures, it is suitable for young and old. Practices can be tailored to individual needs making it an ideal aid to recovery from illness or injury. Qigong is a form of complementary medicine. It works well with other forms of therapy and should never be used as a substitute for necessary treatment by a physician.
Is Qigong scientific?
Both China and the U.S. have hosted conferences for academic exchange of qigong research. Qigong has been shown to improve posture and respiration, induce the relaxation response, cause favorable changes in blood chemistry, and improve self-awareness and concentration. Research suggests that Qigong may be beneficial for Asthma, Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Pain, and a wide variety of common ailments. External Qi Healing is effective for the same range of illnesses as acupuncture.
Source: Ken Cohen
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Yoga for Allergies
Recommended Yoga Poses and Breating Exercises for Seasonal Nalsal Allergies
Though many find relief in physician-prescribed medications, there are several yoga practices that may help to alleviate allergy symptoms, including runny noses and inflamed sinuses. While there are no studies that document improvement in people with allergies who use these techniques, there also is no risk, so if you have allergies, you may want to give it a try.
It should be noted, however, that the isolated use of these suggestions will probably not offer instant relief. Those who are already engaged in a regular yoga routine will get the most from these recommendations, and may already be enjoying the benefits of less stress and a healthier immune system.
Recommended Breathing Exercises
Skull Shining Breath - Kapalabhati Pranayama
Kapalabhati breath consists of a series of rapid, forceful exhalations and passive inhalations. This has long been believed to clear out the nasal passages where allergens lurk, and thus offer some relief from irritation. This is a heat-generating breath, however, so limit yourself to a single round at the start of your practice. I recommend learning this breath from an experienced teacher, as you may become lightheaded if you do it incorrectly.
Alternate Nostril Breathing – Nadi Sodhana
Nadi Sodhana is a calming, balancing breath. You must be able to breathe through both nostrils to do this pranayama, so it may not be possible if you are extremely congested.
Recommended Poses
Shoulderstand - Salamba Sarvangasana
Shoulderstand and other inversions open the nasal passages for improved drainage. Do not hold the pose longer than a few minutes, however.
Bridge Pose - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Bridge Pose and other backbends help to expand the chest and lungs, giving you increased breathing capacity.
Sources:
Yoga Journal, Breathe Easy by Alice Lesch Kelly
Yoga Journal, Allergy Antidote by Angela Pirisi
Though many find relief in physician-prescribed medications, there are several yoga practices that may help to alleviate allergy symptoms, including runny noses and inflamed sinuses. While there are no studies that document improvement in people with allergies who use these techniques, there also is no risk, so if you have allergies, you may want to give it a try.
It should be noted, however, that the isolated use of these suggestions will probably not offer instant relief. Those who are already engaged in a regular yoga routine will get the most from these recommendations, and may already be enjoying the benefits of less stress and a healthier immune system.
Recommended Breathing Exercises
Skull Shining Breath - Kapalabhati Pranayama
Kapalabhati breath consists of a series of rapid, forceful exhalations and passive inhalations. This has long been believed to clear out the nasal passages where allergens lurk, and thus offer some relief from irritation. This is a heat-generating breath, however, so limit yourself to a single round at the start of your practice. I recommend learning this breath from an experienced teacher, as you may become lightheaded if you do it incorrectly.
Alternate Nostril Breathing – Nadi Sodhana
Nadi Sodhana is a calming, balancing breath. You must be able to breathe through both nostrils to do this pranayama, so it may not be possible if you are extremely congested.
Recommended Poses
Shoulderstand - Salamba Sarvangasana
Shoulderstand and other inversions open the nasal passages for improved drainage. Do not hold the pose longer than a few minutes, however.
Bridge Pose - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Bridge Pose and other backbends help to expand the chest and lungs, giving you increased breathing capacity.
Sources:
Yoga Journal, Breathe Easy by Alice Lesch Kelly
Yoga Journal, Allergy Antidote by Angela Pirisi
Emotional Mastery Free Teleclass
Ever notice how our emotions can take you over like a wave? Why can’t I shake this anger, why am I yelling at those I love, why does this feeling of sadness and anxiety seem to never go away, when I really have nothing to be sad or anxious about?? I feel like I am in a rut and can’t seem to get ahead in life. I keep attracting the same situations over and over again. I can’t seem to shake this weight...I am not eating that much...where do I turn for help??
Join Deborah to explore the relationship between your emotions and the vital organs of the body. Through Qi Gong techniques and her years of practical experience with her clients & students Deborah shares how to gain mastery over your emotions and teaches you tools on how to better understand the patterns of emotions and how unbalanced emotion can affect your health, relationships, career and life’s experience.
An example of what you will experience on this call:
Deborah will be sharing with you an exercise to get in touch with the emotions within the lungs and showing you how you can can transmute any imbalanced emotions within the lungs to a higher experience as well as other valuable tips and techniques.
Contact Sherry @ 519 666 3950 or e-mail sherry@sherrylynnsimoes.com for more info.
Visit Deborah's website for more info www.soletosoulholistics.com
Two calls to choose from:
Tuesday, May 4th from 8:30 - 9:30 am
or Tuesday May 11th 7-8 pm EST
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 428403#
RSVP for a Special Gift from Deborah on how to better be in touch with the emotion associated with specific vital organs of the body!
Everyone is welcome to attend!
I hope you will join me in this call!
Sherry Lynn Simoes
Join Deborah to explore the relationship between your emotions and the vital organs of the body. Through Qi Gong techniques and her years of practical experience with her clients & students Deborah shares how to gain mastery over your emotions and teaches you tools on how to better understand the patterns of emotions and how unbalanced emotion can affect your health, relationships, career and life’s experience.
An example of what you will experience on this call:
Deborah will be sharing with you an exercise to get in touch with the emotions within the lungs and showing you how you can can transmute any imbalanced emotions within the lungs to a higher experience as well as other valuable tips and techniques.
Contact Sherry @ 519 666 3950 or e-mail sherry@sherrylynnsimoes.com for more info.
Visit Deborah's website for more info www.soletosoulholistics.com
Two calls to choose from:
Tuesday, May 4th from 8:30 - 9:30 am
or Tuesday May 11th 7-8 pm EST
Conference Dial-in Number: (605) 475-4850
Participant Access Code: 428403#
RSVP for a Special Gift from Deborah on how to better be in touch with the emotion associated with specific vital organs of the body!
Everyone is welcome to attend!
I hope you will join me in this call!
Sherry Lynn Simoes
Welcome to the Downtown Yoga Holistic Centre Blog
We have started this blog with the intention to inspire discussions and commentaries about wide range of topics concerning yoga. We will be discussing in depth myths about yoga, provide demonstration videos, yoga news, product reviews and unique yoga resources. If there is a particular topic you would like to start, please feel free to post your comment.
Wishing you all the best on your amazing yoga journey ...
Wishing you all the best on your amazing yoga journey ...
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