Qi  BLOG

May 15, 2024

You are a Treasure Chest

Did you know that YOU have three treasures? These treasures are Jing, Qi, & Shen.  These treasures exist within the three Tan Tiens (Dantiens) which are your energy centers. The term Tan Tien means Elixir Field. In simple or practical terms, we are talking about your body/physical center, your heart/emotional center, and your mind/spiritual center. The goal is to fortify these centers and allow a positive alignment between them. This can be accomplished through Qigong practice of breath, movement, and meditation.  Oftentimes the treasures are thought of as 3 levels of intelligence, i.e. the brain (thinking), the heart (feeling), and the gut (instinctual thinking/feeling). All contain neurons and can work together for perception, decision making, and guidance. I absolutely love understanding that this is how my being functions. Whether you prefer to call them treasures, elixir fields, jing-qi-shen, energy centers, or simply body-heart-mind,  they are YOU  and should be "treasured" as they can be utilized to manage your energy and how you live your life.

April 13, 2024

What is Qi?

Qi can be different for each individual as related to what one may feel or perceive. However, Qi is defined usually as Life Force Energy.  An energy that moves through us giving us the sense of being alive. So when our Qi is stuck or stagnant, our aliveness is compromised. We experience ailments, disease (Dis -Ease) and debilitating conditions. But when our Qi is flowing, we are able to tap into our potential for feeling our best. With Qigong and other forms of energy stimulation like Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and Meditation, we can keep our Qi flowing. There's also pathogenic Qi like bacteria and viruses that can enter the body. Our systems are set up to fight off this pathogenic Qi. And if we have a strong immune system from practicing Qigong, it serves us well in the fight. We are born with our original Qi which begins inutero.  So our Sea of Qi located in the lower DanTien in the vicinity of the naval is an important area for breathing and stimulation. Qi is also Food and Drink --what we consume can either work for us or against us. Healthy food and drink consumption is, of course, best for those vital organs and bodily systems. The Qi  moves through the meridians which are pathways (rivers) associated with the vital organs (reservoirs).  Qi can seem almost mystical. Just like thoughts and emotions are unseen forces. so too is Qi. Thoughts and emotions are mysteriously linked to Qi.  Everything is energy. Setting intentions during your practice to upgrade your thoughts and emotions contributes to your flow of Qi

March 28, 2024

Is Qi Gong a religion?

In a word,  NO.   Anyone of any religion can practice Qi Gong. Due to its ancient history, some movements have names like Buddha Holds up the Earth and Taoist Prayer Position just to name a couple. There is not a definite solid connection solely to Buddhism or Taoism. Most movements have names associated with what we encounter in nature like Tree Sways in the Wind, The Tiger Clears the Way, and Heart to Sky Heart to Earth. It does not require worship of a Deity just as Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, or Zumba do not. It does promote a connection to nature and the Universe in which we inhabit. Anyone of any religion can feel quite pleased about that. Qi Gong is simply an Integrative Exercise  Practice. In my opinion, it falls into the category of Energy Medicine. This could open a debate over Western Medicine versus Eastern Medicine. I would love to see a wonderful combination of the two for our world. Qi Gong can be a way of life or a way of being for some since the exercise practice can not only help your body feel healed, but it also calms the mind and balances the emotions simply due to the breath and movement causing your natural energy to flow.  Qi Gong can include meditation which for some may feel a bit "spiritual", however, one's meditation can include any belief system that speaks to that individual.