Qigong - A stress reduction and relaxation response practice, Qigong (chee-gung) is the art and science of combining breath with sincere movement and visualization / meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate life force energy (qi). Stress reduction practices may reduce your risk of disease, illness and injury. Reducing stress may also increase life enjoyment, creativity, responsiveness and a sense of connection and purpose. First mentioned in writing 2,500 years ago, yet believed to be 5,000 years old, Qigong is one of the main components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with acupuncture, herbs, and massage. ‘Qi,’ meaning life-force energy and ‘gong,’ meaning cultivation or practice becomes Qigong -- the practice of cultivating life-force energy. “For hundreds of years Western medicine has looked at mind and body as totally separate entities, to the point where saying something 'is all in your head' implied that it was imaginary," says Herbert Benson, MD, director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute and co-senior author of a groundbreaking research report. "Now we've found how changing the activity of the mind can alter the way basic genetic instructions are implemented." ** Qigong is a mind/body practice. In an article about Mount Sinai Medical Center, a leader in the field of geriatrics, Audrey Chun, MD says: "Staying physically and socially engaged are the two most important things for continued health, often better than medicine." The article continues with " To that end, the center offers classes in tai chi (a form of Qigong), which has been shown to increase balance and strength to prevent falls ... " pg 93, body+soul, November 2009 Tai-chi (a form of Qigong) was shown to help people suffering from arthritis based on a comprhensive study. It helped to relieve pain, decrease tension, and increase the possibility of improving overall health. pg 110, body+soul, November 2009 Possible Benefits CALMS the mind ~~ SLOWS aging process BOOSTS immune system ~~ ENHANCES mental clarity INCREASES Inner peace ~~ INCREASES energy levels REPROGRAMS flight or flight stress response REDUCES stress and pain ~~ BALANCES body/mind ASSISTS with metabolism ~~ IMPROVES circulation INCREASES flexibility ~~ BROADENS perspectives IMPROVES sleep ~~ OPENS meridians Articles Christine Horner, M.D. says that practicing stress reduction may reduce your risk of many diseases, including cancer.1 Qigong is a stress reducing practice. It is also an energy enhancing practice. Here's an article on: Qigong: An exercise of the strong, silent type Chicago Tribune 2003 Qigong and Breast Cancer Survivors Nashville Medical News. Qigong Classes: Wear comfy, weather appropriate clothing, Refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes, oils. Refrain from donating blood on the day of the class. Better an stomach towards empty than full. Wear closed toed shoes for outdoor events. If yoga studio, please bring towel, blanket or cushion for sitting on the floor for part of the class. Visit Calendar for current schedule of classes Corporate Classes / Private Lessons available Contact Georgiana Johnson at 407-339-4050 email: info@qiconsciousness.com What others are saying about Qigong "The face of exercise is changing in America. Instead of relentlessly pursuing a sculptured physique, people are chasing longevity, stress reduction and improved health through mind-body practices like qigong. The realm of working out has shifted from people just wanting to build bulk and lean, toned muscles to them understanding that the inner health of thebody is just as important as the outer health." --New York Times April 5, 2007 "If you want to be healthy and live to 100, do Qigong." --Dr. Oz, Oprah Winfrey Show, November 1, 2007 Responses to Qigong I am grateful for finding Georgiana and Qigong. I was seeking improvements to my deep breathing routine for meditation, and Qigong fit the bill. I look forward to the soothing and calming energy work that is Qigong. -- Julie Patchouli, Maitland, October 2008 Georgiana's Qi Gong class is a great way to explore the ancient Chinese technique of gentle movement and stress reduction with benefits one can experience right away. For anyone interested in improving flexibility, reducing stress, increasing energy and promoting a general sense of well-being, Georgiana's class gently guides one through a series of movements designed to harness and distribute the universal life energy (chi or qi). With a combination of relaxing music and Georgiana's guidance, I experienced an "energized relaxation" that I could take home and use as the basis for continued practice. -- Greg, Orlando, October 2008 Also, more good news, since I have been working with energy, my white blood count has come up a lot. It has been very very low (2.0) for the past five years, yesterday it was 3.7 which is great for me. Normal is 4.1 and up so I am getting better! I believe it is the Reiki and QiGong. My doctor encourages both. I definitely want to continue my learning, so please keep me posted on classes and sessions you will be giving. –Brenda, Orlando, August 2008 ** 21st Century Breakthrough: Researching the Benefits of Mind-Body Practice by Investigating Genetic Expression by Roger Jahnke, OMD, Founder and Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi 1 Body+Soul magazine, Breast Health, page 60, October 2005