Affordable
Convenient
Westside Herbs & Acupuncture offers individual Taiji/Qigong classes.
Together we practice gentle movements, breathing techniques and focused meditation to build strength, balance and flexibility and tonify and invigorate our bodies' energy (qi). Through Qigong we not only improve our health but also gain a heightened understanding of our bodies and ourselves and learn relaxation techniques that can be practiced througout the day.
Return to topQigong is a family of exercises which have been developed and practiced in China for thousands of years. In the classic 2,000 year old book Nei Jing, it was written that prehistoric people lived in harmony iwth nature and were therefore much less likely to get sick than we are today. When they did get sick, all they needed to cure themselves was to perform Daoin, a very early form of Qigong. As people's lives became more imbalanced and less in harmony with nature, the stronger treatments of acupuncture and herbal medicine became necessary. It is interesting to consider how unhealthy our society is today despite even stronger pharmaceutical medicines which often cause new diseases as they cure others.
Qigong is a powerful self-help tool for health and healing. It represents one of the "five branches" of Chinese Medicine, the others being acupuncture, herbs, massage and food therapy. qigong is based on the same medical principles as is acupuncture. It has many appliations, from medical to martial to esoteric. Our classes focus on medical Qigong, though we do incorporate movements from the martial art Taiji.
Return to topQigong helps you regain the balanced functioning of your own body, which is the basis of health. It helps you remain strong and supple, so that you are more resistant to disease, trauma and old age syndromes, and you recover faster when you do get sick. And, Qigong just makes you fell good!
In addition to the general health benefits, many studies and reports suggest that Qigong can help cure specific diseases. For example, the American Joursnl of Chinese Medicine published a Korean study which showed that Qigong is effective in reducing hypertension. The author of the respected book, The Tao of Taijiquan, tells his own story of being diagnosed with an enlarged heart at 47. He took up Taiji and after five years his heart had returned to normal size.
Return to topClasses begin with gentle stretching and relaxation techniques. The rest of the class varies from week to week. Sometimes we learn new techniques. More often we practice together ones we already know.
Some of our exercises are meditation and breathing exercises, for we recognize that a sound, focused and relaxed mind is the foundation of a strong, relaxed and healthy body. Other exercises are movements, most done slowly and in a relaxed and gentle manner. We also draw from classic forms such as the Eigth Brocades and Yang style Taiji as well as meridian and organ specific medical Qigong exercises.
You will quickly find that your body gets stronger and that with practice you have more balance and energy in your day.