Preventing and Energy Crisis

Preventing An Energy Crisis

By Susan S. Lautemann, LPC

Are you interested in rolling the rock? Or maybe shifting sands? This isn’t landscaping. This isn’t even a description of your work week. It’s qigong (pronounced chee gung). This ancient form of fitness is one of the four parts of Traditional Chinese Medicine along with acupuncture, herbal remedies and massage. There are hundreds of moves like "rolling the rock" which is simply a move in which your head drops on your chest and rolls slowly back and forth on your shoulders. Shifting sands is a graceful moving of the hands from front to back while your knees are bent and your body sways back and forth too.

What does all this do for you? The millions of people who practice qigong on a several time a week basis believe that the benefits are as transformative as slowing the aging process, providing healing and health to the body and promoting tranquility. Body and Soul magazine recently reported that Western scientists have begun to study qigong and studies show that regular practice "lowers blood pressure; improves heart function; eases addiction; significantly reduces falls and fracture in the elderly and reduces fatigue, anxiety, tension and depression."

The basic principle of qigong is the first part of the name "qi" or "chi" which means energy-vital body energy. The second part of the name "gong" means practice or cultivation. Therefore qigong is the cultivation of energy. The Wall Street Journal recently wrote that qigong is the next yoga and is the hottest trend in stress relief. That is, if a practice practiced by many for thousands of years can be the next hottest "trend."

When I began tai chi about two years ago, qigong was a bonus. Frankly, it’s become my favorite part. I especially like the standing pose At first I found it difficult to do the standing pose for any length of time. Now the experience seems timeless, and my body, mind and spirit feel great when I finish. Some people practice qigong in the mornings while their coffee is brewing or water is heating for tea. It’s a small moment in the day that energizes and refreshes.

In the triad area, there are many qigong classes and teachers. Once you’ve begun to learn the basics, it’s a practice that you can do for yourself nearly anywhere or anytime – and it doesn’t even have to take a long time for you to receive the benefit.