Is Qigong a Safe Practice?

Is Qigong a Safe Practice?

Qigong is generally considered a very safe practice with minimal risks when performed properly. Here are the key points about the safety of qigong:

• Overall safety profile: Qigong is widely regarded as a gentle, low-impact mind-body exercise that is safe for most people. It is often compared in safety to activities like going for a walk in the park.

• Contraindications: There is really only one main contraindication for qigong practice, which is if someone has a history of psychotic disorders. For most other people, qigong can be practiced safely.

• Precautions: While generally safe, it’s advisable to:

• Build your qigong practice slowly, starting with simple exercises.

• Never force your energy to flow in unnatural ways.

• Find a qualified teacher for proper guidance, especially for beginners.

• Avoid advanced practices without proper preparation and supervision.

• Potential benefits: When practiced safely, qigong may offer various health benefits like reducing stress, improving balance, and potentially helping with conditions like depression and anxiety.

• Medical considerations: As with any new exercise regimen, it’s wise to consult with a healthcare provider before starting qigong, especially if you have existing health conditions.

Can Qigong help with Depression?

Can Qigong help with Depression?

Qigong has shown potential benefits in alleviating symptoms of depression. Various studies and reviews have explored its effectiveness, with mixed but generally positive findings.

• Meta-Analysis (2019): A meta-analysis reviewed the effectiveness of Qigong-based therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). The pooled results indicated significant benefits in reducing depression severity compared to both active and passive control groups. Specifically, Qigong showed improved treatment response rates and remission rates. The study suggested that Qigong could be a beneficial complementary therapy for MDD, though it called for more well-designed trials to confirm these findings.

• Goodpath Review: Various studies have found Qigong effective in lessening both anxiety and depression. It has been compared favorably to other non-medication treatments like physical activity. Some studies specifically noted its benefits for individuals with depression co-occurring with other medical conditions, such as diabetes or cancer.

• Evolve Treatment Centers: Qigong has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in randomized controlled trials. It is considered an evidence-based complementary therapy that can significantly impact mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing self-esteem.

Who can Benefit from Qigong Practice?

Who can Benefit from Qigong Practice?

Qigong practice can benefit a wide range of people, including:

• Individuals looking to improve fitness: Regular qigong practice may enhance overall fitness, flexibility, and cardiovascular health.

• Those seeking stress reduction: Qigong’s focus on slow movements, breathing, and mindfulness can help reduce stress and promote relaxation

• People with chronic diseases: Those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other chronic conditions may experience improvements in symptoms like pain, fatigue, and sleep quality.

• Older adults: Qigong may help improve quality of life, physical ability, balance, and potentially reduce depressive symptoms in older adults with chronic conditions.

• Individuals at risk of falling: Qigong has shown potential for balance training and fall prevention, sometimes with better effects than traditional interventions.

• Cancer patients: Some evidence suggests qigong can help cancer patients manage fatigue and mood disturbances during treatment.

• People with high blood pressure: Some studies indicate qigong may help lower blood pressure.

• People with mental health concerns: Qigong practice may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as improve overall mood.

• Those wanting to boost immune function: Research suggests qigong may have a positive impact on immune system functioning.

• Anyone seeking mind-body connection: Qigong can help harmonize the mind, body, and spirit, promoting overall well-being and a sense of balance.

Qigong is considered a safe practice for most people when performed correctly and with proper guidance. However, as with any physical activity, it’s important to start slowly, listen to your body, and seek qualified instruction, especially as a beginner.

Why is Qigong such a Great Practice?

Why is Qigong such a Great Practice?

Qigong involves coordinated gentle exercises, meditation, and breathing techniques, which promote relaxation and balance the body’s energy. This holistic approach is believed to combat energy blockages and enhance both physical and psychological well-being. Here’s how qigong compares to other forms of exercise for improving cardiovascular health:

• Blood pressure reduction: A meta-analysis found that Chinese exercises like qigong led to significant decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Notably, these exercises reduced blood pressure more than aerobic exercise.

• Cholesterol improvement: The same meta-analysis observed modest but statistically significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in participants practicing qigong and similar exercises.

• Heart rate and blood pressure regulation: Qigong may have positive effects on heart rate and blood pressure regulation, possibly through its impact on the vagus nerve.

• Circulation improvement: The whole-body movements in qigong are thought to improve circulation to muscles and organs, which may have cardiovascular benefits.

• Stress reduction: Unlike many traditional forms of exercise, qigong emphasizes stress reduction and relaxation, which can indirectly benefit cardiovascular health.

• Accessibility: Qigong is generally more accessible than many other forms of exercise, especially for older adults or those with physical limitations. This can make it easier for people to maintain a consistent practice, potentially leading to better long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

• Metabolic syndrome: A meta-analysis found that qigong exercise had significant effects on waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.

• Long-term effects: Some studies suggest potential long-term benefits of qigong on cardiovascular health, including reduced all-cause mortality and stroke incidence, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. The current evidence suggests that qigong can be a valuable addition to a cardiovascular health regimen, especially for those who may find more intense forms of exercise challenging or intimidating.

About Us

Marieta Darrah has been trained and certified by some of the founders and masters working at the first non-medicine based hospital in the world in China ( Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Clinic & Training Center ) and brings years of practice and self cultivation from China’s most sacred Buddhist and Taoist mountains–Emei and Qingcheng. She has practiced yoga for over 13 years before finding her true passion in life–Zhineng Qigong. Marieta also has a Master’s Degree in Russian Language and Literature and enjoys creating traditional and digital art. You can see her artwork at:  https://illuminartdesigns.com

 

Are You Ready to Heal Yourself?

Are You Ready to Embark on a Beautiful Healing Journey?

This opportunity is for people who are seeking to improve their current state of health, live free from  heavy medicine dependency and enjoy quality of life. Understanding that quality of life first equals  good health is essential. Next comes one’s ability to provide for and sustain him/herself. Both of these depend on making conscious, good choices every day. Many people say they don’t have the time to make these choices, as they’re busy. Yet when some day they learn they are in a final stage of cancer or some serious disease, they’re willing to do anything and everything, realizing how precious life is.

The current system of health care in our country is, firstly, not always available to all people at its best, and secondly, it’s not based on eliminating the root causes of disease. Knowing why we experience certain illness is of essence and involves working with our mental and emotional programming, changing patterns, habits, and attitudes. This is the only reliable way to self-improvement and achieving a good quality of life. While it’s fine to use medicines and herbs to temporarily alleviate symptoms, it is our responsibility to look for a permanent solution to health issues. Any person who has self respect and self value needs to ask these questions: Why am I experiencing such a symptom/illness? What is it that I’m doing wrong in my life? How can I get rid of this problem? Do I have all the resources to pay someone to take care of me when I get old, sick, and immobile? Is this person going to be compassionate enough to deal with my personal hygiene and feel satisfied with their job? Is there a way for me to enjoy good health in my golden age without too much dependency? Can I be certain that if my life depends on certain medicine it will always be available to me?

 

We live in times of fast changes, we’re overloaded with work and family responsibilities, stress, tons of information/disinformation that can cause a great deal of anxiety and confusion. Although a human being is capable of amazing things, people react and respond differently to what’s on their plate. Learning how to achieve balance and enjoy good health in this life is our own responsibility. This isn’t that difficult with an enjoyable and reliable practice one can do daily or even every other day. If life is difficult, if the world seems like an uncertain, depressing, or even frightening place through our own experiences, we need to look no further than changing ourselves little by little. Thus the only way to change the world is to start making changes on a personal level. Why is such practice necessary? It is a stepping stone to creating a new life for one self. Without it, without changing energetically, we will be trapped in a vicious circle of old patterns.

When we first experience a symptom of disharmony or illness, then it’s the exact time, the perfect timing to address it before it gets out of hand. This can of course be applied to any problem, but why do we keep ignoring our health of all things?.. People who have an advanced disease have failed to pay attention to the early warnings from their body/mind. They need to understand that the amount of time they invest into self healing is reciprocal to the level of disease. It’s easy to form an unhealthy habit with a good excuse and continue that path for many years. Therefore, we need to understand that healing takes time and commitment.

As a Zhineng Qigong instructor trained by the founders and healers of the first non-medicine based hospital in China known for its healing success rate of 95% and higher, I’m currently offering an introductory program to groups of people who are ready to make a change and start their journey to  better health. Yes, this is a journey, as you’ll get to know yourself, start changing your current patterns, open energy blockages and gradually refine the quality of your energy on all levels. This particular qigong practice involves physical movement, energy movement (mind induced qi), visualization, and relaxation in a gentle flowing motion. Group practice amplifies and accelerates the healing effects of the exercise. I’m very experienced in teaching and healing, internationally certified, have practiced in some of the most sacred Buddhist and Taoist mountains in China, and prior to qigong have practiced yoga for over 13 years.

If you are a yoga studio owner or have your own healing center and would like to introduce a  qigong program, or a weekend workshop to the local community, please contact me.
I’m also offering this program to groups of 10-20 people, and this could be arranged in a spacious room or area that is nature rich/feng-shuied.

Ongoing Weekly classes are also available for retirement communities on a twice-a-week basis, or for alcohol/drug abuse rehab centers.

Classes for children are available and they target opening and enhancing the creative flow/ imagination. After all, Albert Einstein has written that “imagination is more important than knowledge.”

Individual lessons are also available with some requirements.

Please contact me with further inquiries.