July 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Moving energy: Qigong benefits mind, body, spirit
Moving energy: Qigong benefits mind, body, spirit
By Stephanie Kuski-
Qigong (pronounced "chee-gong") is a centuries-old system rooted in Chinese medicine which blends a diverse set of movements that coordinate body, breath and mind while incorporating aspects of nature into each position.
These forms may include moving and/or still meditation, massage and meditative walking in addition to a broad array of body postures which help restore one's health and spirituality. Throughout the Eastern world, the practice is used to cultivate and balance qi (pronounced "chi" and translated as "energy").
"There's energy everywhere, and what we do in Qigong is we tap into that energy," local Qigong instructor Dottie Reeder explained. "There are meridians through your body that carry the energy through the whole body and when they get blocked, that's when we see disease or uncomfortableness, stiffness. So we open those up by moving energy through the body by the way that we move."
Reeder has been practicing Qigong since the early '80s and has been teaching the practice for approximately five years.
She previously held a Qigong class at Nicolet College, but that class is now hosted at Pioneer Park due to coronavirus pandemic-related cancellations at the college. She also hosts other Qigong classes throughout the week in Eagle River and Presque Isle.
Reeder explained that there are many different ways to practice Qigong and each instructor incorporates their own focus.
"There are a lot of different ways to do it," she said. "There are thousands of different forms or moves that are attributed to Qigong."
In her own classes, Reeder said she focuses more on breath and movement than spirituality, but this is an aspect she encourages interested individuals to explore on their own. She added that people practice Qigong for different reasons, whether it be to tap into their spirituality or simply to exercise in a social setting.
Another important part of Qigong is its connection with nature, Reeder added, which makes Pioneer Park a perfect setting for her classes. She explained that because Qigong and its associated beliefs are rooted in nature and animals, having an outdoor setting provides an appropriate ambiance to cultivate this life energy.
"I just love the idea of thinking of your body working with nature," Reeder said, "so I try really hard to connect with nature while I'm doing my practice."
She added that another aspect which attracts participants is that anyone can do it.
"The moves are so easy, once you figure out what I'm doing, it's easy to follow and you get into a meditative mode," Reeder said. "Usually when people come, they almost immediately like it."
Rosemary Shalbreck is one of Reeder's students. She has been practicing Qigong for about four years now. A big draw for her was working on balance, she said, a skill which naturally erodes with age.
"I love it, you feel so good after," Shalbreck said. "You don't really feel like you're working out at all, you're just moving and by the end of it, you just feel energized. For me, I'm always reflecting on something."
"It's more self-meditation - you go into yourself and you meditate," Qigong participant Maggie Kriesel echoed. "You just forget the world and try to bring the energy back to yourself. I think that's what's refreshing and gets you through."
For other Qigong practitioners like Mary Lucas, the benefits are a bit more subtle.
"For me, it's an extension of a lot of other things I've already done," Lucas explained. "I used to do martial arts a few years ago and I've done a lot of yoga. I've been exposed to tai chi. So it's one more facet of movement, energy, healing and doing a little bit of spiritual nurturing."
Since many of the names of these body postures are associated with nature scenes or animals - for example, "separating heaven and earth," "cloud hands," "bamboo in the wind," "crane" and "pigeon" - the language used colors these positions with an interesting perspective that is in tune with the surrounding nature of Pioneer Park.
"It's really nice being outside and you're doing these movements that are forming after nature," Lucas added. "To me, it's a lot easier to feel and cultivate the energy doing this."
That energy can also be felt in the bodies of those participating in a way that allows each individual to share and receive energy from their neighbor. At a time when many of us have been cooped up for months on end, this symbiotic transmission of energy can be quite significant.
Along those lines, while today's western society doesn't always readily recognize the value of this mind, body and spirit connection, those who have experienced the profound effect of a few minutes of mindful movement can attest to the extraordinary benefits it provides in both the short and long term.
Those who are looking to engage in this practice are welcome to drop by at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays throughout the summer season at Pioneer Park.
For more information, contact Reeder via email at [email protected].
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