What is Qigong?

Qigong is an Ancient Chinese practice that combines breath, gentle movement and focussed intention.

Qi means energy, or life force, and gong means to work or cultivate, so in Qigong we are working with energy.

There are four schools of Qigong: Health, medical, martial and spiritual.

The type of Qigong I practice is Qigong for Health. The main goals of Qigong for health are to:

  • self regulate body and mind

  • maintain and prolong health

  • live in harmony with oneself and nature

What to expect in a Qigong class

Qigong is not about what you look like, but about how you feel, so please don’t worry that you might not ‘get it right.’

I endeavour to create a relaxed and friendly space where people feel nurtured and relaxed.

You don’t need any special equipment, not even a mat. Just bring yourself and a bottle of water.

We begin with warm up moves and stretches. There may be some tapping and self- massage to invigorate, increase blood flow and encourage the body to release stagnant qi (energy).

There will be breathwork to calm the nervous system and infuse the body with fresh energy.

The main body of the class will focus on moving the energy through the meridians, organs and tissues through gentle, flowing Qigong forms. We will stretch, twist and bend to accelerate the flow of energy. Classes are tailored to the seasons and the related organs and elements according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The final part of the class focusses on accumulating the energy, slowing down and moving towards stillness.