QIGONG IN A CAPSULE

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that enhances health and relaxation. Qi is the life energy within you, flowing through specific channels called meridians. It is a combination of (1) the innate Qi you are born with, (2) the Qi absorbed through your digestive system from food and water, and (3) the Qi acquired from the air you breathe. Qi circulates through the body, performing many functions to maintain good health. Generally speaking, the storage house of Qi is the Dan-tian, a small area situated three finger-widths below the belly button.

The concept of Qi is fundamental to traditional Chinese medicine. Practitioners claim that good health comes when your Qi is strong and harmonious.

Qigong literally means the cultivation of Qi. There are a number of different forms of Qigong but, in essence, it is the practice of breathing, integrated with movement and meditation. Or, you can focus on your breathing and your inner self, without even having to move your arms and legs. The practice of Qigong will improve your physical and mental health.

BREATHING EXERCISE - THE MASTER KEY TO GOOD HEALTH

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, proper breathing is probably the single lifestyle change with the greatest potential for promoting good health. Surprisingly, few of us know how to breathe well. Most people use less than one half of their lung capacity. With improper breathing, the body's innate healing system is compromised and it leads to dysfunction and disease. Fortunately, this can be corrected.

By practicing breathing techniques consciously and regularly, one can begin to reverse this process and produce powerful results, both physiologically and emotionally. Far-reaching benefits include:

• Improve sleep
• Increase blood flow through your body
  
• Relieve stress
• Improve concentration
  
• Manage pain
• Enhance physical performance
  
• Enhance digestion
• Boost mental and physical energy.

Instead of using toxic drugs, we can use breathing techniques alone to correct imbalances that involve the involuntary nervous system, which include common health disorders such as irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, poor circulation, stomach and intestinal disorders, insomnia, and asthma.

LIU TONG EXERCISE

Beside Tai Chi and Yoga, Liu Tong Exercise is practiced in Stockton. Integrating breathing techniques, Liu Tong Exercise offers relaxation as well as building up physical strength and improving muscle tone.

The set of 36 movements or postures is easy to learn. It has been taught at Pacific Complementary Medicine Center and its external programs since Master Binh Ly and Bob Hong introduced it. Patients with physical impairment can do it sitting down. It does not require special outfit or equipment. Once you have learned it, you can do it almost anywhere at any time. The benefits are many. Participants report better balance, better sleep, better mood, less stiffness and less pain.

In 1996, Liu Tong Exercise was introduced at Pacific Complementary Medicine Center by Bob Hong. Liu Tong Exercise consists of 36 movements, each specifically designed to stimulate a certain section or regulate a certain function of the body.

These postures are surprisingly simple, yet they call for a certain precision of form to bring the desired results health-wise. Each is repeated 10 times in a rhythmic motion. Throughout, consistent repetition is basic to success.

Age is irrelevant in the practice of Liu Tong. In a class where the age span was 55-92, all the students were able to go through the exercises, and did so with enthusiasm.

It is helpful to have a gentle warm-up period, such as the building of chi (or qi) by rubbing the hands together, limbering the shoulders with swimming motions and deep abdominal breathing. Of course, deep breathing is a factor in the entire program, but, in the warm-up, it is done consciously as an exercise unto itself.

Dr. Anthony Wu and Teresa Chen with Master Ha Kinh in Hong Kong, June 2002

The developer of Liu Tong Exercise is Ha Kinh. She says that the series must be repeated at least 50 times for lasting results. She wants it known that Liu Tong is not martial art.

Grand Master Ha Kinh is now 90 years old, but is supple and looks much younger than her age. She devotes her life to teaching and promoting Liu Tong. Her desire is health for everyone.

Teresa Chen personally met with her in the summer of 2002 and received instruction that fine-tuned her skill and understanding of the exercises to achieve the best results. She happily shares this with her students.

Visit our classes page for more information.

Please call (209) 464-4800 to register. Class size is limited to 12. The cost is $32.00 per month, payable at the first session of the month.