Yuan Qi Gong course of 3 workshops

Service Description

What is Qigong? Qigong (pronounced "chee-gung") is a time-tested system of Chinese energy cultivation practiced for over 5,000 years. Through gentle movements, mindful breathing, and meditation, practitioners cultivate and balance their life force energy, known as "Qi," to achieve better health and vitality. In this course of three 2 hour workshops you will learn the first two forms of Yuan Qi Gong. Tian Yuan and Di Yuan. Gathering Qi (Tian Yuan) is an invitation to begin a different way of living. In this first method of Yuan Qigong, you’ll learn to turn your focus inward and to attune yourself to a rhythm of life not dictated by reactions to external events. Paying attention during this practice of graceful movements you’ll start to feel a different connection with yourself – and become familiar with the feeling of Qi moving in the body. The exchange of Qi that is affected during the practice helps to initiate changes in the body: stress may diminish, posture improve, and strength increase. In fact, what is happening is the body and mind preparing to begin the process of integration of the separated self with the greater whole. The overall result is a feeling of calm, and a new awareness. Yuan Qigong practice can help us experience life through a much more relaxed, calm, and natural state. Nourishing Qi (Di Yuan) teaches and trains us to bring our awareness inside the body, thereby building up and keeping a reservoir of Qi in the 3 storage areas of the body called Dantians. Di Yuan (Nourishing Qi) is a “standing” form practice. The method, while focusing on specific postures, intends to correct the outward-going habit of the mind, fostering integration and unification in stillness. Because of its standing form, its focus on Dantian breathing and the strong Qi effects it engenders, persistence and dedication are essential in order to help us thoroughly reap the countless benefits.