Beginners Qi Gong Classes

Move your Body.  Deepen your Breath.  Clear your Mind.

Join us for an amazing journey of body awareness and self-discovery. Qi Gong is a method of gentle, mindful movement that makes the body strong and supple. It improves balance, stamina and flexibility. It has positive effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, immune and central nervous systems. Much like doing Yoga or going to the gym, Qi Gong is a long term practice, not a quick fix. It takes time and discipline to learn the moves. You will know within a few classes whether Qi Gong is right for you. If it is, get ready to enjoy a happier and healthier future!

Fee:  $50 per session, payable at the first class
Each session has 4 classes
Next class dates: January 16, 23, 30 and Feb 6  6:45 pm to 7:45 pm
Note: classes have moved to Thursday evenings

Location:  Beyond Healing Pathways,  2 – 307 East 27th St., Hamilton ON

To register: Please email us at earthdragonhealing@gmail.com

Breathe Easy

B is for

There is nothing more natural than breathing.  It's the first thing we do when we're born.  It's the last thing we stop doing when we die.  Somewhere between the two we change the way we do it.  Watch a baby and you'll see the belly expand on the inhale.  Ask  an adult to take a deep breath and you'll see the chest expand and shoulders raise instead.  I'm not sure why this happens.  What I am sure of though, is that oxygen is essential to life and health and our habit of shallow breathing robs us of this vital energy source.

I offer you two really simple breathing exercises.  One to help you relax when you're feeling stressed.  The other to energize you when you're dragging.  For both exercises focus on where the breath goes.  Visualize the air going to the bottom of the lungs first to expand the belly,  then filling the top of the lungs last.  Do this in a relaxed way - don't force the breath in any way - just allow it to flow.

RELAX:
Inhale and exhale slowly through the nose.  Count to be sure each inhale and each exhale are the same length.  Start with a count of 4, then as your breathing slows down and your body starts to relax, increase the count to 6, and then 8.  Do this for 3 - 5 mins. whenever you're feeling stressed.   You can also use this technique as a sleep aid - continuing breathing like this until you slumber off.

ENERGIZE:
Inhale slowly through the nose, exhale quickly through the mouth.  Count to be sure each inhale is twice as long as each exhale.   (Try a 6 and 3 count to start and adjust to what feels comfortable.)  Be sure that you fully exhale each time, your lungs should be empty before you start the next inhale.  Do this for 3 - 5 mins. whenever you need an energy boost.