What is Qigong?

Qi, Chi or Gi means air, energy or breath in Chinese and Korean. Gong or Kung means work. Qigong therefore translates to energy or breath work. This “work” or exercises are also referred to as Chi Kung and Gi Gong.

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The human body is made up of bones, muscles, and organs amongst other components. Veins, arteries and capillaries carry blood and nutrients throughout to all of the systems and components. Additionally, 12 major energy medians carry the body’s energy. “life force” also known as “qi”. Ones qi is stored in the lower Dan Tien. Daily emotional imbalances accumulate tension and stress gradually affecting all of the body’s systems. Each discomfort, nuisance, irritation or grudge continues to tighten and squeeze the flow of the life force. This is where “dis-ease” claims its foothold.

Qigong breathing exercises can adjust the brainwaves to the Alpha state where the mind is relaxed and the body chemistry changes and promotes natural healing. Relaxing of the deep skeletal muscles, working outward. Release of tension accumulated within the muscles, organs and nerves. Whereas conventional physical exercise can deplete energy, Qigong helps to replenish your natural energy.

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Our emotional state directly influences how we breathe. The emotions reveal themselves in the breathing patterns:

Anger, fear, anxiety – shallow breaths

Grief – spasmodic breathing

Guilt – restricted breathing

Boredom – shallow, lifeless breathing

Sadness/depression – under breathing

Furthermore;

Dwelling in the past – can produce any of the above breathing patterns

Worrying about the future – can produce any of the above breathing patterns

Present in the moment – The goal here is clarity and self-awareness to slow and regulate the breath

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Becoming present in the moment can happen in various ways such as:

1) Immediate trauma – Fear of injury or loss of life can put one into the moment quickly.

2) Practice of mindful exercises such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, qigong and other similar mind and body interactive practices.

3) Engaging in activities such as singing, painting, performing music, dancing, etc.

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Jim Moltzan has been teaching Qigong, Tai Chi, Taoist Yoga, martial arts and various other alternative methods of fitness for over 35 years. He also offers classes on Mondays & Fridays at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church. He is also available for Group or Private lessons and lectures/seminars.

Contact at www.MindAndBodyExercises.com or call 407-234-0119.

Healthier Bones with Tai Chi & Qigong Practices

Qigong and its moving yoga-type exercises have been known to not only increase skeletal and muscular strength, but also help prevent falls by improving balance. These types of exercises along with deep breathing practices, activate the parasympathetic nervous system. It is this activation which allows the bodily functions to relax, regenerate and apparently return to a healthier state of performance.

The Eight Pieces of Brocade or 8 Sections of Silk is a very well-known Qigong set of exercises. It is known to have been composed sometime during the Southern Sung Dynasty of the 12th century by the famous Chinese general, Yueh Fei. Yueh Fei was also known to have created Hsing I, an internal style of martial arts. The purpose of these exercises was to engage the mind and body in order to balance and strengthen the body’s vital functions, as well as purge stagnant energy and toxins from the body. If practiced as simple physical exercises, one can loosen their muscles, improve posture, increase blood circulation, and relax the body as well as the mind.

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These exercises and methods have been practiced and studied for hundreds of years to help maintain good health, prevent and sometimes cure diseases, to calm the mind, and uplift the spirit of the person performing them. Ancient literature shows and explains body postures and exercise routines similar to the Eight Pieces of Brocade but dating back roughly 2,100 years. This is important in establishing that these exercises and concepts are not a new fitness fad with little documented facts of actual benefits achieved. Some doctors throughout China, often prescribe exercises like these to prevent of heal injuries, cure illness or disease and improve overall health. This set is possibly the most popular and often practiced qigong (energy exercises) routines practiced throughout the world, maybe my millions of people. It is just one of perhaps hundreds of different exercise sets in the vast qigong (or chi kung) category.

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Jim Moltzan has been teaching Qigong, Tai Chi , Taoist Yoga, martial arts and various other alternative methods of fitness for over 35 years. He also offers classes on Mondays & Fridays at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church. He is also available for Group or Private lessons and lectures/seminars. Contact at www.MindAndBodyExercises.com or call 407-234-0119.

Healthier Bones Lecture

Great turnout for my “Healthier Bones” lecture at Florida Hospital Centre for Aging and Wellness. I demonstrated some basic to advanced practices to increase skeletal strength as well as deep breathing for stress relief.

YOU are YOUR health care program!!

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Private or small group classes are held within the Wekiva Neighborhood of Longwood, FL or a negotiated location. Cost is $50 per hour per person.

Lectures & seminars for Tai Chi & Gigong for wellness available upon request.

Group classes are held at Winter Park Presbyterian Church on Mondays & Fridays 11:30am-12:30pm. Cost is $8.00 per 1-hour class for drop-ins.

Contact info@MindAndBodyExercises.com for more information or 407-234-0119.

Learn How to Build Bone & Muscle Strength with Tai Chi & Qigong

Friday, Oct. 5th, 12 – 1 PM, FREE Admission – RSVPs appreciated! Jim Moltzan, Zen Wellness Certified Medical Qigong Master Instructor

Get educated – Stay strong!

Central Florida Healthy Bones is a National Osteoporosis Foundation-affiliated Education & Support Group presenting a series of educational programs about bone health. Come meet skilled and knowledgeable medical professionals, have your questions answered, and receive free health and wellness information.

The series is presented at the Centre for Aging and Wellness, 133 Benmore Dr., Suite 200, Winter Park, 32792.

Call 407.303.1700 to reserve your spot. Space is limited to room size.

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Music for Better Health

The average person breathes 12-18 breathes per minute (BPM) during regular activity of standing, sitting & walking. Fitness experts suggest that 6 BPM is optimal for the lungs to properly oxygenate the whole body while also removing toxins. The lungs are responsible for removing 70% of the body’s waste by-products through exhalation. This is best accomplished by mindful breathing patterns through exercises such as mediation, Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga.

When soft and peaceful music is used with the prior exercises, one can effectively slow and match their breathing pattern to the 4/4 tempo. Regulated breaths taking 4 seconds to inhale, a 4 second pause, and then 4 seconds to inhale results in 5 BPM. When respiration slows to 10 breaths per minute or slower, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Qigong, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Yoga, etc. are all effective methods of exercise that activate this nervous system. These techniques have proven the test of time in being an option to remove or manage the inner critical dialogue and learn to regulate the fast paced modern existence we all experiencing.

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