Qigong is on people’s minds these days. It’s in the news and at your local Y or maybe at your yoga center. What is qigong? Whereas tai chi is a routine that is followed from start to finish, qigong is slow moving exercises which open blockages of energy, self-massage along our acupuncture pathways, conscious breathing and focusing on being present in the body. Anyone can pick up qigong easily without any experience and can be practiced by the very old and the very young. You don’t have to be flexible or in good shape and it can even be done sitting down.
Qigong as well as tai chi are considered moving meditations where we strive to bring our body and mind into balance. Calming the mind by lowering stress levels, focusing on breathing slowly and deeply as well as creating a sense of peace are the true rewards of qigong, but the physical benefits of improving balance, flexibility and strength are very valuable as well.
What do we mean by balance? In western medicine is it known as homeostasis. This is the place between the stress mode, also called the fight or flight response and the rest and relax response. We are constantly vacillating between these two states during most waking hours. More than ever we are in continuous stress mode due to changes in lifestyle, constantly needing to be connected, and even more so with the pandemic which has brought uncertainty to many people’s lives. This ever-present stress takes its toll on the body, creating malfunction in any of the systems of the body, leading to illness and subsequently aging us much faster.
Qigong is an excellent way to keep our organs functioning optimally, our joints and muscles strong and flexible, to destress, and bring the body and mind into balance and harmony.
Donna Bunte, MSOM, L.Ac. is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, integrative nutrition health coach and qigong teacher. She teaches qigong in her community at various locations in Greenwich and Stamford and on Zoom. To try a free class email her at:
health@donnabunte.com. 203.253.9885. www.donnabunte.com.