Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to study this Ancient Chiense Art! Qi Gong is a fundamental part of Eastern Medicine, practiced daily by millions of people world-wide. Contact us today to reserve your space – availability is limited!
Contact us by phone (613) 216-2135 or by email info@luminaantiaging.com for more information!
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Maybe Qi Gong is What You’re Missing
by Dr. Allan Fradsham, D.T.C.M
Feeling tired or sluggish? Having trouble getting out of bed?
Feeling a little stiff? Not getting around as well as you used to?
Feeling stressed? A little burned out?
These have become very common feelings for the majority of the urban population. As time passes, we generally begin to accept these feelings as part of our day to day lives. We accept that cold days will bring sore joints, and that winter months will cause the blues. Many people don’t realize that there is a simple solution to these and many other day-to-day problems: Qi Gong.
Being a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I often try to explain to my patients that their diminished energy is a result of poor Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). This is often met by a series of confused looks and hesitant nods – uh huh, the Qi…of course…
Qi is without question the most confusing concept in TCM – however it is also the fundamental basis that TCM is built on. In order to understand Eastern Medicine, we must first understand Qi and how it affects our energy, our bodies and our overall health.
Put very simply, Qi is the vital energy that exists in all living organisms, and is comprised by the relationship of all their interacting parts. Whether it is a person, plant or animal, the Qi can be classified as the “life force”. Okay, not quite so simple.
If we look at our bodies as a whole unit with various parts (organs), we see that each one of the parts has certain functions and responsibilities so that the whole can perform. Each part of the body relies on the fact that the other parts have done their job correctly so things can run smoothly. When an organ is not able to perform all of its duties it affects the rest of the body. This causes the Qi within the body to change – this change can be seen as a change in our health.
Another aspect that is important to remember is that Qi can also be affected by the mind, emotions and the relationships we have with the people and things around us. Have you ever been feeling down, and then something happens that immediately changes that feeling to happiness? Maybe you ran into a friend, or received a gift or a compliment. Whatever it was, that change in energies was triggered by the interaction of your Qi with your surroundings.
Qi can also work in the opposite way. Have you ever known someone who was just depressing to be around? It didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing, they just seemed to bring you down when you were around them? The resulting negative feelings are from your interaction with your surroundings – which creates a shift in your own personal energy.
To explain a little further: if you were to see a person get hit by a car, your blood pressure would drop, you would get cold, and you would be in shock. But what happened to you? The car didn’t hit you and yet your physical body was affected. Your Qi responded to your surroundings.
Qi can be an overwhelming subject. To help you get used to looking at life in this way, I suggest that you start by recognizing the Qi in different objects. Plants, animals, people, the universe.
For example: take a look at a plant, and how it interacts with water. What type of energy is emitted when there is a lack of water? How does the plant react when it receives water? Which plant is more pleasing to be around: one that is healthy and flourishing – or one that is dehydrated and wilting?
So what is Qi Gong and how does it help promote health and well-being?
Qi Gong is a way of moving the body and using the breath to help the body create balance. This world-renowned practice is a form of exercise from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been used for thousands of years to preserve the body, both inside and out.
It should come as no surprise to you that good internal health will produce great external health (skin). It is common to see an elderly Asian person that looks and feels better than the average 40 year old Westerner. Good health is something that no scalpel, injection or cream can give you. And good health is almost always exemplified in the person’s appearance.
Qi Gong focuses on movements that are specifically designed to move Qi in the body in a way that promotes balance – body and mind. When you start to do them correctly you will notice that your body will respond and your health will start to change. Qi Gong is also a great way to maintain your good health, and help prevent degenerative diseases such as Cancer and heart disease.
Spring is the perfect time to promote good health and vitality. Qi Gong can help you bring your body out of hibernation, and back into the full swing of life.
Once again, Lumina is offering Qi Gong courses this spring.
If you were unable to attend the fall sessions, now is a perfect time to take advantage. The spring session begins March 17th, and the session price is $240.00.
To obtain more information about Qi Gong, or register for our spring Qi Gong sessions, please phone us at (613) 216-2135 or email us at info@luminaantiaging.com. Space is limited and will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
Tags: Exercise
