Acupuncture & Qigong (Chi Kung) Montreal / Quebec / Canada

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Qigong classes in Montreal Quebec

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Acupuncture Qi Gong Sean Laflamme Prevention Tea Links

Qì Gōng  (氣功)

What is Qigong?

An integral part of the Chinese healing arts is a practice called Qigong (chi kung), a term that may be translated as Energy Cultivation.

Qi (气) = energy / life force

Gong (功) = to cultivate / to work at 


This practice is the oldest of the Traditional Chinese Medical arts, and its primary focus is to provide you with a means to actively participate in the optimization of your own health. Qigong is foremost an exercise practice that combines breathing techniques with movement and visualization.

Qigong has a long history that spans thousands of years, evolving from, and incorporating a variety of Buddhist, Taoists and Confucius health practices.

Qigong as Exercise: What distinguishes qigong from most other exercise approaches, is that it is holistic. Movements focus on working out the body and mind as a whole, improving energy circulation through the muscles and joints, as well as in the internal organs, spinal column and brain. Practitioners thus improve their overall state of health and vitality, while reinforcing their body-mind connection.

As an observer you may only see people practicing fluid, seqqigong on Taishan Mountain at sunrise, Chine 2007uential movements in a quiescent state, but as a practitioner, you learns to do much more. Below is a list of some positive effects one experiences with regular qigong practice.

  • improved circulation;

  • stronger yet flexible joints and muscle tissue;

  • increased digestive function; 

  • better posture, stronger back and spine;

  • increased concentration and focus;

  • and much more.

photo by Sean Laflamme, China 2007

From a western standpoint, qigong practice exercises the major muscles and joints but also stimulates circulation in the internal organs as well as the body's "small muscles", which aid in stability and posture. Regular training improves the circulation of blood, lymphatic fluid, nerve impulses, thus increasing proper tissue nourishment, immune response and the body's natural ability to detoxify. The combined breathing and meditative aspects also promote the parasympathetic nervous system, which allows for you to relax and heal (a state that when adrenaline, cortisol and insulin levels normalize - to name a few reactions). 

Qigong as a Medical Practice: According to the principles of Chinese Medicine, health is enhanced by improving the energy circulation patterns of the body. In Acupuncture needles are used to influence qi through the body’s pathways. In Qigong, physical movements combined with breathing and mindfulness are used to the same end.

Qigong is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine - It is important that the teacher have a background in this medicine.

The main goal of qigong is to rectify energetic imbalances in the body that accumulate during one's lifetime. Imbalance may be caused by one or several of the following: stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, injury, traumatic experiences, suppression of emotions, and illness. A practitioner of Therapeutic Qigong can help direct you in your practice so that your specific needs are met.

Increasingly, research substantiates the positive effect of Qigong on patients, regardless of their illness. Like acupuncture, Qigong can be used to improve the quality of life, no matter the severity of the illness.  There is more and more published research to support the positive impact in the treatment of patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, anxiety and more. Qigong is also making headway in many Western medical establishments, several Hospitals are collaborating with Qigong teachers in order to offer this complimentary healing methods to their cancer patients.

Group Classes / Schedule

Sean Laflamme holds group classes a number of times weekly.  The exercise method that is taught helps the students increase their fitness levels as well as their health potential, as described above. Guidance is given on a number of levels, focusing on proper breathing, harmonious movement sequences, postures and visualizations.

In his classes, Sean teaches primarily Zhineng Qigong. Besides being a complete, well-rounded style, it was originally developed to be taught in a group setting. The style helps students rapidly achieve results, and promotes sharing and group encouragement.

Zhineng Qigong is easy to learn and very suitable for both beginners and novices. Movement sequences are simple, easy to recall and safe for the body. People of all ages can practice this style, and with regular practice experience tangible results. This style can also be easily be adapted for those who have physical restrictions and/or limited mobility.

Now widespread around the globe there are major schools in countries including China, Europe, USA, Mexico and Canada. This large Qigong community values and encourages partnership and the sharing of knowledge, an attitude that greatly benefits the student because he/she always has the freedom to practice and perfect their qigong with others wherever they may find themselves.

Sean is affiliated with l'Institut de Qigong du Quebec, an organization with associated schools in other areas of the province.
Class Schedule
*The class schedule and the fees are subject to minor change.  

 

Upcoming Trial Classes

Tuesday, January 13th at 9 am;
Wednesday, January 14th at 8 pm;
Friday, January 16th at 7 pm.
   
 (
4416 St-Laurent, studio 302)

 - introduction to qigong - description of the upcoming semester - guided group practice
(sign-up will take place at this encounter)
 
 *places for the trial classes are limited, so if you plan on attending, confirm your presence as soon as possible by calling 514-952-0465.

 

2009 Winter Semester
Day Hours Open to Dates
Tuesday 9:00 am - 10:25 am all Jan 20th - April 21st
except March 2
Wednesday 7:35 pm - 9:00 pm all Jan 21th - April 22nd
except March 3
Friday 6:00 pm - 7:25 pm  all Jan 23nd - April 24th
except March 5
Friday 7:33 pm - 9:00 pm students with at least 1 semester of experience
2008 Fall Semester
Day Hours Open to Dates
Tuesday 9:00 am - 10:25 am all Sep. 16th - Dec. 16th
except Oct 7th
Wednesday 7:35 pm - 9:00 pm all Sep. 17th - Dec. 17th
except Oct. 8th
Friday 6:00 pm - 7:25 pm  all Sep. 19th - Dec 19th
except Oct. 10th
Friday 7:33 pm - 9:00 pm students with at least 1 semester of experience

  

All classes will be located at 4416 St-Laurent, studio 302

(between Marie-Anne and Mt-Royal) 

  *New students are accepted during the first few weeks of the semester.

   

Qigong in the Park

For students who have taken classes with Sean Laflamme, he offers guided group practice a number of Saturday mornings during the summer months.

Fees for the semester:

  •  $175 (+tax), for access to a specific weekly class;

  •  $200 (+ tax), for access to all classes (giving you the freedom to of going to one or several each week).

$20 rebate for students

 

There are no other fees, this amount covers class notes and any materials needed.

 

*The class schedule and the fees are subject to minor change*

 

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PDF documents:

qigong brochure for Montreal classes Sign up for Montreal qigong classes
brochure sign-up sheet 

 

Private Lessons / Qigong Therapy

Paralleling Sean's ZhiNeng Qigong training, Sean Laflamme furthers his study of medical qigong with the International Institute of Medical Qigong located in Palm Desert, California.  The certification programs offered by the IIMQ are based upon the curriculum that has been established at the Medical Qigong College at the Hai Dian University and used clinically at the Xi Yuan Medical Qigong Hospital in Beijing, China. Sean studies with Dr. Bernard Shannon for this process, executive director of the IIMQ.

Sean devotes clinical hours to this approach using the IIMQ treatment protocols. If you are interested in this qigong medical approach, feel free in contacting Sean Laflamme for more information.  

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Qigong or Tàijí?

In Western culture, Qigong and Taiji (Tai-chi) are often confused with one another. To the untrained eye, one sees only slow movements that are performed in a highly focused manner. In the simplest terms:

  • Taiji is a martial art that has evolved over the past few centuries from Gongfu practice;

  • Qigong is a therapy that has evolved over four millennia from certain Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian health practices.

Proper and regular qigong can enhance one’s ability in the martial arts. However, in order for Qigong to be used in medical application it must be taught by someone who has a background in Chinese Medicine.

Today there are numerous qigong practices that have been integrated into the martial arts. For example, it is common for Taiji teachers to show qigong exercises to help improve the ability of their students. Although these practices have a positive influence, the exercises remain complimentary to the martial training.

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Acupuncture & Qigong Sean Laflamme / Montreal Quebec

Sean Laflamme Ac.
Acupuncture & Qigong
456 St-Joseph East, Montreal QC
514-952-0465 / e-mail
© Copyright 2008