The holidays can be a highly stressful time of year for many people. It is very difficult to keep up with everything. The decorating, the shopping, the baking, the wrapping, the get-togethers with friends and family. If that wasn’t stressful enough, you still need to get to work, do your chores, and do everything else you need to take care of regularly. Trying Qigong to remain balanced may be just what you need this holiday season.
The art of Qigong, or the cultivation of life energy, is the process of enhancing, balancing, and rejuvenating the body’s spirit, or Qi. Qigong exercises originated in China and are forms of complementary medicine that promote health, vitality, and self-improvement. Chinese medicine believes that the inactivity of this energy is what causes most illnesses. Our qi stops flowing when we feel stressed. The practice of Qigong involves breathing exercises, focused attention, and imagery, as well as strengthening and flexibility.
The combination of meditative breathing with the movement of the limbs and focusing on different parts of the body can effectively relieve stress for your mind and body. Qigong exercises promote circulation, balance, strength, flexibility, meditation, slow, deep breathing, sound, and touch. As a form of “internal exercise”, Qigong can direct the body’s qi energy and remove energy obstacles thereby relaxing and harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit.
Slow, meditative movements in this ancient practice have become more critical to modern lifestyles due to their ability to neutralize stress’ damaging effects. While it is well known that deep breathing calms the nervous system, most people are unaware of how much more powerful this can be, when you combine breathing with the movement of the whole body in a slow, rhythmic manner.
The practice of Qigong requires a great deal of mindfulness, which makes it a relaxing and effective way to reduce stress and increase energy. The practice of qigong promotes positive energy in the body. So, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, or experiencing high anxiety due to the holiday season, try Qigong to achieve balance.