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To answer this question, perhaps we need to answer a more fundamental question: what is Qi? Qi is the life force that moves through and around our bodies, essential to the smooth operation of our body functions and the balance of our emotions. Its most tangible form is our breath, but Qi is also abundant in our food, in the sun, and in the chemistry of our relationships. Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice that has given way to most martial arts; its literal translation means "the cultivation of life force" (a combination of "Qi" and "Gong," which means to work, practice or cultivate). The movements are subtle and flowing and, for the most part, the feet stay in one place. It has been called a "moving meditation" by some. We life to see it as our divine dance with the graceful energy inside and around us.
Here is a list of scientific studies done on the efficacy of Qigong as a medical treatment for many diseases. I've provided the study result, but if you want to read the full abstract, click on the title. You can purchase the full article either from us or from the publisher directly: Study Result: This study indicates that MQ can improve cancer patients' overall QOL and mood status and reduce specific side-effects of treatment. It may also produce physical benefits in the long term through reduced inflammation. Study Result: These findings suggest that external Qi of Yan Xin Qigong may differentially regulate these survival pathways in cancer versus normal cells and exert cytotoxic effects preferentially on cancer cells, and that it could potentially be a valuable approach for therapy of pancreatic carcinomas. 3. Use of qigong therapy in the detoxification of heroin addicts. Study Result: Reduction of withdrawal symptoms in the qigong group occurred more rapidly than in the other groups. From day 1, the qigong group had significantly lower mean symptom scores than did the other groups (P <.01). Both the qigong and medication groups had much lower anxiety scores than did the control group (P<.01), and the qigong group had significantly lower anxiety scores than did the medication group (P<.01). All subjects had a positive response to the urine morphine test before treatment. Fifty percent of the qigong group had negative urine tests on day 3, compared to 23% in the control group and 8% in the medication group (P <.01). By day 5 of treatment, all subjects in the qigong group had negative urine tests, compared to day 9 for the medication group and day 11 for the control group. 4. Effects of Qigong on immune cells. Study Result: The data indicates that a single Qigong intervention can increase the monocyte and lymphocyte numbers. 5. Effects of qigong on late-stage complex regional pain syndrome. Study Result: Among the genuine qigong group, 82% reported less pain by the end of the first training session compared to 45% of control patients. By the last training session, 91% of qigong patients reported analgesia compared to 36% of control patients. Anxiety was reduced in both groups over time, but the reduction was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. 6. Qigong exercise for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease: a randomized, controlled pilot study. Study Result: More patients improved in the Qigong group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months (P = 0.0080 at 3 months and P = 0.0503 at 6 months; Fisher's exact test). At 12 months, there was a sustained difference between groups only when changes in UPDRS-III were related to baseline. Depression scores decreased in both groups, whereas the incidence of several nonmotor symptoms decreased in the treatment group only. Study Description: Five-year survival of patients with stage IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma not treated after recurrence is almost non-existent in oncological literature. The authors report a patient almost 30 years after surgery of the primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma lesion and 15 years after recurrent disease and incomplete chemotherapy who is alive without evidence of disease. She received no conventional oncological therapy during the past 15 years but rather used many types of alternative medicine, predominantly mind body therapies. The authors review the relevant literature on this subject and describe what they believe to be the first report of long-term survival of such a patient.
Watch this video and attend the Qi Revolution!
Qi Revolution from SSQC on Vimeo.
The ENERGY AWAKENING of Jeff Primack (for more information go to www.qigong.com) When I first discovered the ENERGY it was love at first sight. The year was 1998 and I will never forget it. During a BREATH EMPOWERMENT this powerful vibration filled my entire body with the HOLY FIRE. Suddenly... in my third eye I saw a massive ball of blue and white light. I knew it was pure consciousness. A blast of energy shot through my body upon having that realization. This experience had long lasting repercutions. 15 years of chronic Asthma was BURNED out of my body. Since that day I have never needed an inhaler and my lungs are now strong. ...about our QIGONG WORKSHOPS " Thank you so much for the wonderful experience on Saturday, I love it!." Claudia, Student/Level I Instructor (San Diego, CA) "Thank you & Kai for the great class last sunday. I benefitted a lot from it. The only problem: we learned so much I can't remember it all. Will we get together to go over all we learned again with Kai?" Mari-Ann, Student, Qigong Alchemy(San Diego, CA) ...about our QIGONG CLASSES "Amazing energy work tonight, thank you teacher." Ayanna, Student/Massage Therapist (San Diego, CA) |
MONDAYS Qigong Level 2 Practice The postures in this form are designed to help you feel external energy while increasing circulation throughout your body. Have greater focus and build strength in your body. This season of the Water (November 8th through January 16th), we will flow through the form, from one posture to another, placing our focus on transitions. We will also build internal fire by doing the form much slower than normal, allowing your muscles to build strength while creating heat in your body. Our Level 2 practice features: • theoretical discussions on Chinese/Eastern philosophy with a focus on our intention for our practice (1 CE Credit for Massage Therapists) TUESDAYS Qigong Strength at The Wavehouse Athletic Club This practice is designed to focus on forms that build strength and promote balance. We will go through the movements slowly, with the intention of having correct posture and form that creates the best circulation of energy throughout the body. Practitioners should be prepared to hold certain poses while correction is made on a one-on-one basis. Qigong Flow at Breakthrough This practice goes through the flow of movement we learned during other hour and a half classes. Beginners will easily be able to follow along the guided form. There will be minimal corrections given, as the focus is on flowing from one movement to another, attaining a deep meditational state to promote relaxation while strengthening the muscles and improving circulation.
WEDNESDAYS Qigong Level 1 Practice This is the foundational practice that will allow you to feel energy vibrating through your body. The focus is on building an energy reservoir in your core and being more aware of balance, breath and alignment. This season of the Water (November 8th through January 16th), we will flow through the form, from one posture to another, placing our focus on transitions. We will also build internal fire by doing the form much slower than normal, allowing your muscles to build strength while creating heat in your body. Our Level 1 practice features: • theoretical discussions on Chinese/Eastern philosophy with a focus on our intention for our practice (1 CE Credit for Massage Therapists) THURSDAYS Qigong Flow at The Wavehouse Athletic Club This practice goes through the flow of movement we learned during Tuesday's class. Beginners will easily be able to follow along the guided form. There will be minimal corrections given, as the focus is on flowing from one movement to another, attaining a deep meditational state to promote relaxation while strengthening the muscles and improving circulation. ***Coming Soon!*** Wuji has been called "The Formless Form" consisting of 7 specific hand positions that allow the practitioner to move slowly and according to the flow of Qi within their body and in their surrounding energetic environment.
There are many reasons why Qigong is one of the healthiest physical practices out there. We've compiled a list of some of the benefits below: 1. It activates your PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, which allows for a more relaxed state, better circulation and greater creativity. 2. It enhances the FLOW OF ENERGY in our body and prevents blockages (and ultimately, chronic dis-eases such as diabetes, cancer, etc.) from forming by improving circulation in our micro-capillaries. 3. The standing form, when done with the proper posture and alignment, promotes the STRENGTHENING OF JOINTS and the BUILDING OF BONE MASS.. 4. It gives us a very deep and spiritual practice without adhering to a specific religious denomination or tradition. 5. It's been said that people recover from illness at a much faster rate when they are a part of a supportive group. Attending Qigong classes regularly brings this supportive element to healing to a deeper level. This list is a work in progress, so please come back to visit to find out more!
Finding Balance in Your Practice
During the balance periods of the season, when the Earth Element is most abundant, it's very useful to bring your focus on the aspects of your Qigong practice that promote balance. We can do this by going deeper in the concept of Yin and Yang. Instead of two complementary ENTITIES, Yin and Yang can also be seen as the MOVEMENT of energy through change. Yin moves downwards, receives, internalizes; in our Qigong practice, it is characterized in our inhale, the movement of our arms downward, the turn of our torso to the left. Yang energy moves upwards, explores, expands; in our Qigong practice, it is characterized by the exhale, the movement of our arms upward, the turn of our torso to the right. So bring more balance into your practice by noticing the movement of energy through its Yin and Yang phases, to see how you can bring sensations equally through both.
Please meet Mr. Bubbling Well point, a very important point in the systems of Qigong, Acupuncture (where it is known as the Kidney 1 point) and Taiji. His Chinese name is Yong Quan. In our practice, we use this point to ground our energy into the earth. This grounding practice is very useful during times when you feel scattered, unfocused, unbalanced, and even to aid in relieving your headache. It also can be a great prelude to any mind/body practice such as yoga, qigong or taiji. This point can be located by scrunching your feet with your hands, and locating where an indentation, a well, forms. 1. Either stand or sit in a chair, with both feet flat on the floor.
The Breath Checklist 1. Morning Practice: As soon as you wake up, find a quiet space in your home where you can sit and consciously enjoy the emptiness that you achieve in your sleep state. As you sit quietly, place your attention on your breath, tracing the path it takes down to the lowest parts of your abdomen. Do this for five minutes to begin with, setting a gentle alarm or putting on music for the allotted period of time. 2. Mid-morning Practice: A handful of hours after you wake up, pause your activities and take a walk outside. If it is raining, take an umbrella. If it is cold, bundle up. The air outside has more negative ions than the stale air of indoors, and walking involuntarily forces your body to breathe more. The intention is to focus just on the breath (and perhaps look at where you're walking, to prevent injuries). Do this for five minutes and resume your activity. 3. Lunchtime: Before you take lunch, either sit quietly in an undisturbed space or take a walk. Maintaining a smooth cadence to your breath, bring your awareness to your upcoming meal. Think about the nourishment that your body will get from all the elements of your meal. Name each and every major food item and think about their specific function in your body. (If you need help becoming more aware of the benefits of regular food, click here.) Imagine the color, the aroma and the flavor. This pre-meal visualization will get your body ready to absorb more of the nutrients in food and will activate salivation, which in turn helps with better digestion. Do this for three to five minutes, then bon appetit! 4. Close of work day or a day of activities: At the place where you performed your activities or worked a full day, create an anchor of gratitude by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath. When you've established a good rhythm and depth to your breathing, simply name now all the accomplished tasks or the good experiences you've had that day, no matter how small (i.e. "I sent out that one email!" or "I really enjoyed myself!"). When you feel a negative voice raining on your gratitude parade, acknowledge its presence and disperse by saying "I know you'd love to talk, but, shhhhhh, it's not your turn right now!" Keep repeating the feel-good accomplishments with your eyes closed, then repeat them with your eyes open, visually anchoring your surroundings with the feeling inside. Do this for three to five minutes. 5. Before bed: It is important to remain electronics-free for at least 30 minutes before you go to bed. Right before you jump on the train to dreamland, sit quietly for five minutes. Allow your thoughts to ramble on for a few seconds, then disperse them into the air on your next exhale. Then go back to the emptiness. Repeat until the five minutes is over, or until you feel that your head is clear. Then climb into bed and have the sweetest of dreams! FUN EVOLUTION EXERCISES 1. HIKE! Bringing your body to higher altitudes regularly makes your body adapt to a lower level of oxygen. Plus, high altitude, wooded areas have the highest concentration of negative ions, which balances the body's bioelectricity. And the view is unbeatable! 2. FUN RUN! You don't have to run a marathon, but running gently on the front part of your feet can have amazing health benefits to your body. We all know the cardiovascular effects of running, but it can also relieve stress, and forces your body to metabolize more oxygen. So go to the beach, or a soft, grassy flat area and start walking. Then recall memories that are exciting and/or funny. As soon as you feel the urge to laugh or celebrate, RUN, until the feeling subsides and resume walking. Do this for five minutes, or until you're tired of having fun. 3. PRACTICE QIGONG With Taoist stretching and standing forms, Qigong focuses on circulating oxygen (by increasing blood circulation) through specific meridians in the body. Because the movements are subtle and gentle, it doesn't activate the stress triggers in the body, promoting a more meditative state while allowing the body to absorb and metabolize more oxygen. |
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Our Qigong DVD’s show the “edges of the energy field” and this allows for a higher comprehension of what exactly needs to be done in Qigong for it to actually be effective. Clear language, precise teaching technology and the best techniques have come together. "Your Forms have such a strong 'Qi Feeling' that it may finally give the masses access to the secret of Qi." Dr. Richard Royster Ph.D, A.P. Practiced Qigong 29 Years |
Level 1 DVD
Level 2 DVD
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DVD Box Set (Levels I, II and III included)
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Qigong Manual
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Every precise detail has been included in this manual. Leaving nothing out, it contains step-by-step energy animated illustrations for: Empty Force, Cloud Hands, Earth Hands, Around the World, Push Hands, Full-body Cleansing, Drawing the Bow, Full-Body Spiraling, Nine-Breath Method and Jeff's 7 Wuji Style Movements. |
Level 3 DVD 
