Qigong Self-Care to Heal and Uplift

By Kathryn Davis

Qigong is a method for healthy living composed of graceful movements, integrated with deep rhythmic breathing and the circulation of vital life-force energy. It is a dance of life that affirms and heals as it dispenses with old, tired energies. It provides the fuel to nourish the soul, as it gently strengthens the body

Qigong self-care flows from the wisdom of the ancient healing arts of China. An achievable way to maintain a high quality of life, despite the many challenges we face.

My first experience of Qigong practice was one of deep relaxation and a sense of body-joy— a feeling that I had never experienced before. Over time, my health improved, with my blood pressure coming under control and old injuries beginning to heal. My state of mind improved immensely and I developed a deep connection with the natural world. An unexpected benefit was that I began to detach from other people’s opinions, in favor of contemplating life for myself, on my own terms. As a result of experiencing such positive results, I continued to pursue the practice to learn as much as I could.

After engaging with Qigong for several decades, I began to recognize that the true and real power of healing and self-transformation is completely natural and innate. That humans are themselves a force of nature. When we harmonize with the natural world we become even more powerful as sovereign beings, capable of steering our own destiny. The remedies we need most, are already inside of us, we only need to unlock the mystery of what it is to be human. For me, Qigong has been the key to unlocking these mysteries.

Most of this work had already been done by Taoist philosophers, doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Qigong Masters cultivating these practices over thousands of years. I only needed to expose myself to this wisdom.

In a way, Qigong is the hack.

The form and function is built into the practice. It was actually designed this way, to assist regular folks, just like us, who work, raise children, and carry other responsibilities. The objective being to integrate self-care into the process of living a healthy life that sustains self, family, and community.

The purpose of Qigong practice is to strengthen the immune system, heal those latent illnesses that put us at higher risk of comorbidity, and to reduce the impact of daily stress. Qigong self-care is one of the few healing modalities that satisfies all three objectives. Most importantly, it puts the power into our own hands... literally!

Qigong is designed to work through the subtle bodies and a network of meridians (energy channels) and acupoints, to remove built-up waste and blockages, as it simultaneously revitalizes our life-force energy.

Qigong is considered to be a moving meditation for the body, mind, and spirit. The practice can be done sitting, standing, or walking.

Studies have shown some of the benefits to be regulation of heart rate and blood pressure; acceleration of healing processes; improved memory and focus of mind; improved quality of sleep; and reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Qigong self-care can inspire joy, and increase vibrant health, peace of mind, and a deep sense of relaxation.

The practices provides a technology that allows us to heal from the inside out.

As a result of sharing this practice with my students, I have developed a series of Energy Tool Kits for everyday use, to de-stress, energize, and heal. The technology is fairly easy to learn... and for those who desire it, to learn to teach.

Qigong bolsters the body’s ability to heal, the mind’s capacity to be calm, and cultivates inner strength, vitality, and resilience.

To learn more about Qigong, visit this site. View Kathryn’s FREE video on the healing properties of Qigong here.

Kathryn Davis is host and producer of Heart of Mind, Radio for the NEW Millennium , heard over WBAI/Pacifica Radio, 99.5 FM in New York, and the Progressive Radio Network. For more information on Heart of Mind Radio, click here.

Kathryn has 30 years experience as a Qigong teacher and facilitator of movement, meditation, and energy healing systems. She is the author of the forthcoming book, Harness the Natural Rhythms of Life.