My first introduction to qigong (pronounced chee gong) was in the early 1990s. I took a qigong class at a dojo in Whittier, while I was still attending chiropractic college. I’d heard of tai chi at the time and thought it was the same thing. I was already interested in Eastern healing methods and was studying acupuncture. What amazed me about this class was that I could see and feel a wavy energy. My scientific mind didn’t know what to do with that information, so I felt compelled to study more.
In 1996, I spent a few weeks in Beijing, studying and working under some now famous qigong masters like Dr. Wan Su Jian and Master Duan Zhi Liang (featured in Bill Moyers “Healing and the Mind”) at the newly opened Beijing General’s Qigong Hospital. I also participated in the 3rd World Conference on Medical Qigong. Since then, my practice of qigong has been used as a self-healing meditation and exercise and, occasionally, I’ve been asked by patients to do qigong therapy (fa qi or emitted qi) as an adjunct to chiropractic care.
The definition of qigong is in its translation. Qi means vital force or energy. Gong means movement. From an Eastern view of health, our body’s function is dependent upon our flow of qi or energy in 12 meridians or channels. Theoretically, disease or pathology can occur where there is a blockage in the qi. An example of this would be if a patient is suffering with high blood pressure, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor may give his patient a qigong exercise to help move the qi in his kidney meridian as a part of his therapy.
Anyone can practice qigong to optimize health. Qigong is a simple way to recharge and rebalance the body and can be done daily. Qigong can activate the body’s own healing response by releasing tension and stress. Qigong exercise involves moving the body while the mind remains centered and calm. If you have five minutes, you can do an easy qigong exercise series to relax your mind and energize your body. This could provide you with more energy (and cost less), than a latte on your afternoon coffee break and give you a mini vacation from stress.
According to traditional Chinese medicine a balance in these five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water lead to a balance in the mind and body. Acupuncture meridian associations with these elements are as follows: Wood is associated with the liver and gallbladder meridians. Fire is associated with the heart, small intestine, pericardium and triple heater meridians. Earth is associated with the spleen and stomach meridians. Metal is associated with lung and large intestine meridians. Water is associated with the kidney and bladder meridians. And with each of these elements there are certain body parts and emotions associated with them.
I will be offering a FREE CLASS at my office to teach you a simple five minute technique to balance the five elements in the body. Please join me on to learn this easy exercise. Please call with my staff at 626-852-2822. Call and leave your infor for future classes.
LISA WAGNER, Doctor of Chiropractic, has practiced in the Glendora area for 15 years. She has years of experience in sports medicine as a volunteer doctor for the L. A. Marathon and the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association. Her practice includes chiropractic care, massage therapy, cranial sacral therapy, nutritional counseling and biofeedback. 625 E. Arrow Highway, Suite 2, Glendora, CA 91740 626-852-2822 Empowering you to discover your health and wellness!
