Qigong combats stress and promotes fitness and relaxation
BLOOMFIELD, Ont. - In a peaceful setting, women stand in a circle moving their arms, stretching their legs and taking deep breaths.
For an hour, while a gentle breeze cools them and frogs croak in a nearby pond, they take part in ancient form of exercise called qigong therapy.
At the end, they turn to each other for a hug.
The group is led by instructor Arlene Wikinson, a registered massage therapist for more than 20 years who is also a medical qigong practitioner.
"Qigong is an effective system of exercise for combating stress and preventing disease, while promoting health, fitness and relaxation," she explained. "Qigong is the art of cultivating energy for health and vitality."
It's also a tradition that is over 5,000 years old, dating back before acupuncture, acupressure, martial arts and tai chi, said Wilkinson. The guiding principle behind it is using the power of the mind along with physical exercise and the control of breathing.
"Qi (pronounced chi) is the vital force in all living things, the life focus in the human body and mind. Qigong is an approach to exercise that builds and maintains the body's store of qi (energy) and ensures its free circulation, through the meridians, to all the cells in the body."
She said the exercises are designed to mobilize joints, stretch tendons, strengthen muscles and improve balance and co-ordination.
"Qigong movements are slow, steady and graceful, demanding great muscle control without strain or impact."
Medical qigong is used in hospitals and as therapy in China to help treat patients.
One of its benefits, she said, is that it's good for all levels of fitness and ability and can be carried out in lying, seated or standing positions.
Some of the common conditions it is said to help range from insomnia and headaches to irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia.
"It cultivates your energy and works with your mind, body and breath."
Wilkinson said it also helps to get a person's body in alignment.
"You learn to connect with what's going on in your body."
Qigong is good for prevention as well as people with medical conditions, she explained.
One of the first things qigong does is teach people how to breathe properly.
"A lot of us tend of breathe shallowly. When you fully inhale and exhale, you're helping cleanse your system."
As well as weekly classes, she also gives participants exercises to do at home. Doing qigong daily can help people build their strength and help them in other avenues of their lives, including gardening or even sitting at the computer.
"It's cumulative," said Wilkinson. "It intensifies the more you do it."
Participant Donna MacPherson, who describes herself as "exercise challenged," said qigong gives her energy.
"At the qigong sessions, (Wilkinson) explains how each movement works and the benefits. The other morning, I had been doing my volunteer gardening from 7 until 8:45 and I was weary. I went over to Bloomfield for 9:30 and participated in an hour of qigong and suddenly I had energy again. I was relaxed."
She enrolled because Wilkinson is her therapeutic massage therapist and has greatly improved her health through massage.
Wilkinson started offering qigong in the Bloomfield area, south of Belleville, Ont., a year ago after she received her first level as a medical qigong practitioner from the International Institute of Medical Qigong, based in California.
She plans to work on her second level in the fall, which will qualify her to teach qigong.
Wilkinson said she uses qigong as a massage therapist, working with clients on their breathing and giving them specific exercises to use at home.
As well as being a medical qigong practitioner, she is an aromatherapist and Jin Shin Do practitioner.
Wilkinson got interested in Chinese medicine while living in British Columbia in the 1980s. Her first course was in Jin Shin Do acupressure, which she studied for three years.
She said qigong fits into the way she works.
"I've always been someone who looks at the whole body and the underlying problem," she explained. "I look for teachers who can enhance what I'm already doing."
Wilkinson moved to Prince Edward County in 1997 from Bancroft, Ont., where she worked as a massage therapist. She said her therapies have been well accepted in this small community.
"It's been great from the beginning. When I've been in training and needed clinical hours, people were really willing to give it a try."
And more important, they referred loved ones to her clinic. "That really tells you how you are doing."
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