Qi Fit is the foundation of tai chi and of all martial arts. It is a practice of breathing, alignment and movement practices that prepare the body to move effectively with greater strength and clearer state of mind needed for any tai chi practice. We learn to regulate the breath to not only heat up the body and have an effect on physiology, but to regulate the mind and introduce clarity and tranquility. Through standing postures, we learn correct alignment to both relax the body, at the same time, making it more pliable and acceptable to movement. We also use healing sounds to regulate emotions that get stuck in our bodies and allowing them to move through us.
Through gentle movement protocols, particularly the Golden Chi Ball, the 8 Brocades, and the healing sounds we enable our body’s own resources helps to restore the spine, joints, ligaments, muscles, connective tissues and the functions of our organs. Using TCM techniques including the use of healing sounds, we can ease the internal stress modern society puts on us. This simple practice helps us to enjoy our life with less stress and more ease.
Tai Chi: This class is based on what many consider the original form of Taijiquan, developed in the early 17th century at the Chen village and known as the Chen style. This form is practiced with slow graceful movements with sudden bursts of energy release known as “Fajing”. In addition to learning a basic form, the class will include various warm up and meditative exercises centered around basic movements including a series called “silk reeling”. The class will be an introduction to what is hoped to be a lifetime of discovery of movement, balance, the body, mind and spirit of the practitioner. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Prerequisite: 6 Weeks of Qigong training or previous experience in martial arts.
ZenWellness Master’s Path is for those interested in a more in-depth Qigong practice and understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We learn more about the Chinese 5 Element Theory and advanced protocols which lead to a solid foundation for Tai chi practice. We follow a seasonal approach working within the cycles of nature. For example, spring being a time of renewal, we work on the small muscles, tendons, ligaments and sinew. This gets the body ready for summer when our energy is at its highest and we are able to do more strenuous exercise and cardio movements. When was the last time you did hand exercises in a class? When was the last time, your hands moved as freely as you would have liked? On the other hand, in the winter, nature’s energy is low and so is ours. We work on mediation, bones strength and tai chi foundational movements. This is a 2 year commitment with online classes and lectures as well as 5 day immersion in Phoenix, AZ or Nashua, NH.
Qi Yoga/Stretch to Strength : Combines the breathwork and principles of Qigong and Yoga to familiar yoga sequences. Also known as Stretch to Strength, a class developed by Darby Melnik, uses the concept of contracting muscles while lengthening them results in affecting a specific muscle or muscle group to effectively and efficiently get into an area of weakness or ‘emptiness’ thereby strengthening the body and correcting imbalances. We understand that certain positions or poses affect specific organs thereby affecting personality. So, by stretching in this way we open up energy pathways that lead us to physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental wellbeing.
Winter is time for rebirth of sorts. After cutting away what we no longer need in the fall, we look to winter for a chance to renew ourselves. That’s why we talk about making new year’s resolutions in order to be a better person. But most of us fail when we have not gotten rid of the things that are in our way.