Last week I decided I wanted to try something a little different. I love my meditation at home and have been wanting to do a meditation class for a while now, but being a busy mum I never seem to fit it in and feel like an hour of sitting for meditation just seems too long and hard at the moment, so whilst I was on my computer, something popped up about this thing called Qigong. I read it and thought perfect, meditation whilst moving. Booked into the class and loved it. I felt invigorated, relaxed yet a little sore from the slow bending movements.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused attention.
The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.
The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment, or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong means cultivating energy, it is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing and increasing vitality.
Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions.
Qigong practices can be classified as martial, medical, or spiritual. All styles have three things in common: they all involve a posture, (whether moving or staionary), breathing techniques, and mental focus. Some practices increase the Qi, others circulate it, use it to cleanse and heal the body, store it, or emit Qi to help heal others. Practices vary from the soft internal styles such as Tai Chi, to the external, vigourous styles such as Kung Fu. However the slow gentle movements of most Qigong forms can be easily adapted, even for the physically challenged and can be practiced by all age groups.
Many health care professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of alternative complementary medicine.
The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lympthatic and digestive functions.
People do Qigong to maintain health, heal thier bodies, calm their minds and reconnect with their spirit.
Qigong’s great appeal is that everyone can benefit, regardless of ability, age, belief system or life circumstances.
For a mum like myself whom is always running around, this is such a beautiful practice that calms me, takes the stress from me, is a workout and meditation all in one, so “just do it”.