Qì Gōng (氣功)
□ Group Classes / Schedule □ Private Lessons /
Qigong Therapy
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, an d
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, sequential 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.
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.
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.
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Class Schedule
*The class schedule and
the fees are subject to change.
| Trial Class / Sign-up |
If you are interested in
giving qigong a try,
please call us at 514-952-0465
we can get you to take part in a class for free
|
Winter 2010
from
January 18th - April
16th 2010
*no clesses on the week of March 22nd
|
| |
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
| 9 am - 10:25am |
|
Qigong II
studio 302 |
|
|
|
| 6 pm - 7: 25pm |
|
|
|
|
Qigong I
studio 302 |
| 7:35 pm - 9 pm |
Qigong I
studio 305 |
|
Qigong II
studio 302 |
|
Qigong II
studio 302 |
|
12 weeks
Qigong I: open to all
Qigong II: open to
students having completed at least 1 semester
location: 4416
St-Laurent / Montreal
QC / (514)
952-0465
(between
Marie-Anne and Mont-Royal)
|
 |
 |
| brochure |
sign-up sheet |
Private
Lessons / Qigong Therapy
Paralleling 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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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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