Qigong Classes

at Dragon Phoenix

What is Qigong?

Qigong, pronounced “chi gong,” was developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves using exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being. Qigong has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.

 In most forms of qigong:

• Breath is slow, long, and deep. Breath patterns may switch from abdominal breathing to breathing combined with speech sounds.

• Movements are typically gentle and smooth, aimed for relaxation.

• Mind regulation includes focusing one’s attention and visualization.

Dynamic (active) qigong techniques primarily focus on body movements, especially movements of the whole body or arms and legs. Meditative (passive) qigong techniques can be practiced in any posture that can be maintained over time and involve breath and mind exercises, with almost no body movement.

How is Qigong different from Tai Chi?

Tai Chi originated as an ancient martial art, but over the years it has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation. When tai chi is performed for health, it is considered a form of qigong and involves integrated physical postures, focused attention, and controlled breathing. Tai chi is one of the hundreds of forms of qigong exercises that was developed in China. Other forms of qigong include Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Hu Yue Xian, Yijin Jing, and medical qigong.

What are the benefits of Qigong?

Qigong opens the flow of energy in meridians used in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. It enhances our ability to feel the Life Force underlying the physical world and to deepen our communication with it. Physically, slow gentle qigong movements warm tendons, ligaments, and muscles; tonify vital organs and connective tissue; and promote circulation of body fluids (blood, synovial, lymph). Thousands of studies have shown qigong effective in helping to heal life challenges ranging from high blood pressure and chronic illness to emotional frustration, mental stress, and spiritual crisis.

Qigong Classes are part of our Drop In program

$18/class or $150 for a 10 class pack

Tuesdays

Medical Qigong

Qigong exercises are a series of movements that were created to help promote the natural flow of Chi in the body and comes from Ancient China. Some of the benefits from regular Qigong practice include improved energy, vitality, bone density, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and longevity, reducing blood pressure, cancer support, thyroid issues, back pain, arthritis, and more.

Qigong is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance Qi or Chi, which roughly translates to “Life Energy”.

Medical Qigong is held on Tuesdays from 9-10am and taught by Emily.

*Medical Qigong is currently paused while Emily helps with hurricane relief efforts in Swannanoa.

Mondays

Taoist Internal Alchemy: Neigong within Qigong

Within this class, we will take physical exercise and transform our presence of mind so that it becomes an exercise of Spirit. To approach this stillness within, we will first develop more body awareness to allow for fluid movement within the sinews, organs and tissues. We will activate and expand our Taiji Poles, strengthen and expand our Wei Qi fields and purge and tonify our channels. 

All of this will facilitate the more fluid movement of Qi through the whole body inviting a deeper stillness within our minds. Once our minds are more quiet, we can begin to transcend the Void and get closer to becoming one with the Tao. During this process, we will develop greater mental clarity, emotional calm and vital life force energy. 

Movements will include both dynamic and static stance training. All practices are from genuine lineage of the Dragon Gate sect.

Neigong Within Qigong is taught by Irene on Mondays from 9:00 - 10:00