About Qigong

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that combines gentle body movement, breath practice, and mindfulness.  Qi (pronounced “chee”) refers to the life force or vital energy that flows through all things in the universe.  To practice qigong is to cultivate and balance this energy as it flows through our bodies.  

An important aspect of qigong is the use of nature imagery and metaphor.  Over time this imagery, in concert with the movements and breath, will subtly change our way of being in the world.  We will learn to loosen our grip and relax.  We will learn to trust that the qi is constantly bathing, healing, rejuvenating, and enlightening us. We will begin to feel, in a visceral way, our kinship with everything else in the natural order. 

We will still get sick.  We will still falter in the face of loss, and lose our balance when we are angry.  But with consistent practice we will more readily remember how to return to ourselves—how to breathe in and out, how to stand like a tree, how to wave our hands like clouds, and how to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. 

The gentle, rhythmic movements of qigong will help you:

• reduce stress
• build stamina
• increase vitality
• enhance the immune system
• lower blood pressure
• improve balance
• promote flexibility
• build strong bones

 

Enthusiastic Citizen

According to  Roger Jahnke, O.M.D., Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, no formal training or certification is required to share the benefits of qigong with those in your community.  He writes,

If you are enthusiastic about qigong and the Healer Within concept, have read books, attended lectures or workshops, or are simply inspired to spontaneously begin sharing with others, then you qualify as an Enthusiastic Citizen.  This activity is founded in the virtues of compassion and community service, it is usually done for little or no compensation.  The Enthusiastic Citizen works with others to help create a culture of health self-reliance in her or his community.

I am one such Enthusiastic Citizen.  I began exploring qigong in 2004 as a way to deal with stress.  I have many years of dance experience and was drawn to qigong for its flowing and graceful movements.  Metaphor and imagery are traditionally used to bring qigong to life and I continue this tradition by often using poetry to shape my practice.  I find that the gentle movements and poetic images compliment one another, revealing ever deeper layers of meaning and insight. 

In 2012, I became certified as a Tai Chi Easy Practice Leader through the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi.

I offer free classes at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. For more information about these classes, contact me at hollirainwater@jhmuseum.org