Qigong is something you feel not something ‘to get’

It’s an ancient Chinese art form that is medicinal, martial and spiritual, helping us harmonise with the natural world. An energy-based practice exploring slow, circular movements which help improve the flow of energy through the body’s organs, muscles, joints, nervous system and cells.

Qi - is energy / temperament

Gong - to cultivate / work 

Qigong is often regarded as a gentle form of exercise. The reality is that it’s a martial art. Some martial movements are challenging and involve a strong focus of mind as well as strength of body, others move with fluidity and cross lightly into a moving meditation. Qigong is one of the five pillars of Chinese medicine and an important internal art that can bring about powerful transformation in strength, mobility and nurturing of our physical body.  

 The benefits of yoga Qigong affords us movements that preserve our joints by way of circular and nonlinear forms that move us outside the realm of our day- to-day mobility. Qigong forms, act to harness willpower and focus the mind as our thoughts and intention are woven into each breath. Paying attention is a critical component to any energy work, we are asked to focus on the action at hand and to stay engaged in the body movements

Research examining psychological and physiological benefits of Qigong is rapidly increasing and showing that Qigong practices help with easing imbalances that have accumulated throughout a person's lifetime. Imbalances can vary from bodily aches and pains, lack of activity and mobility, injury, living a fast hurried life, emotional imbalance, stress, anxiety, depression, ageing.

 The beauty of qigong is that we move a little slower (this does not mean that it’s easy or gentle) moving at a slower pace, with the qigong breath centric approach, has shown in research that this ancient art helps bone mineral density increase, as well as consistent findings with the significant reduction in blood pressure. Anxiety decreases significantly for participants of qigong compared to a faster and more active movement practices. Immune- and inflammation-related parameters, fairly consistently respond Qigong as well as growing evidence that falls and in stability is reduced in those who undertake this Chinese practice.

Overall qigong offers the participants stress relief, greater ease and stability in their body but ever more wonderfully, clarity, calm, focus and peace of mind.

Complimentary to this, Yoga asana movements, places more focus on the extension of the spine, body and limbs, working to tone, lengthen and strengthen muscles. When qigong is weaved into an asana practice, the flow of energy (prana / qi), can be significantly increased, bringing greater feelings of stretch, relief, mobility, health, energy and efficiency to the body.

An interwoven practice of yoga and qigong is a creative and mindful exploration to balance and harmonise body and mind, helping us wake up to the living, breathing moment.