Qigong is the “cultivation of vitality."

Medical Qigong

Ongoing Qigong Classes in Sonoma:
Wednesdays 5 – 6pm at Yoga Community, 577 5th St. West, Sonoma.
$10 drop in, $45 for a 5 pack.

There are over 3,000 forms/schools of qigong in practice today. The basic art and practice of Qigong increases the overall efficiency of the body. Medical Qigong takes these principles and focuses them to specific organ systems to promote vitality and direct healthy change.

Pronounced “chee-guhng” the derivation of the word comes from Qi (chee), a Chinese term meaning “energy, force, vitality,” and Gong (guhng), “to practice, cultivate, build.” So literally, Qigong is the “cultivation of vitality."
Through the development of internal awareness, deep relaxation, and breath, Qigong fortifies and tonifies the vital organs thus enhancing the body’s ability to adapt and defend (restore balance) itself. Qigong is a holistic therapy that exercises the mind, body, and emotions, unleashing latent strengths and unwinding destructive patterns. The beauty is that it is done at your pace, your intensity, your comfort level.

The instructor: Marcus Porrino is a naturopathic doctor who has been learning and practicing the art of therapeutic qigong for several years. He received a certificate in Qigong from the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM)in Portland, Oregon. His primary teacher is Dr. Heiner Fruehoff, director of the Classical Chinese Medicine Department of NCNM and is the lineage holder of the Jinjing neidan school of qigong.

The classical Chinese word “Jin” can be translated as “tendon”, or “sinew” while the word jing is best translated to “strength” or “essence”. The term “neidan” in its classical sense can be interpreted as “internal alchemy.” Thus, when the words are strung together it creates the title in english, “Tendon Strengthening through Internal Alchemy.” Tendons represent communication, kidney, essence, qi, vitality, primal energy and behavior. The term “strengthening” is tonifying, building, balancing, optimizing. Internal alchemy signifies the changes and transformations that can occur by working internally.

To learn about my instructors go to: http://www.classicalchinesemedicine.org/aboutus.htm

Benefits:
The benefits of qigong are countless. Experimental evidence suggests the following healing effects of qigong exercises and meditations.

Cardiovascular
-lowers resting heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels and has shown to normalize Electrocardiograms (ECG, EKG). Increases efficiency of the heart.

Respiratory
-slows respiratory rate, improves gaseous exchange thus increasing efficiency and providing significant benefits for asthma & bronchitis.

Immune System—increases ability to target antigens and response. Anti-cancer effects and immune modulating/balancing.

Circulation—improves microcirculation thus in turn increases nutrients and oxygen to the tissues improving their efficiency. qigong prevents vascular spasms, very helpful for angina, migraine, and Reynaud's Syndrome (cold hands & feet). Increases overall e

Brain—improves cerebral blood flow thus improving memory and decreasing dementia, less incidence of stroke; reduction in frequency and intensity of seizure disorders; slow, high amplitude brainwaves suggest relaxed and integrated state of consciousness.

Musculoskeletal—improves posture, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility

Chronic Pain—significant pain reduction from all causes, including injury, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia

Mental Health—decreases: stress response, Type A, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, depression. Improves memory and self esteem, as well as self awareness.

Longevity—improves blood pressure, vitality, cholesterol and hormone levels, kidney function, mental acuity, vision and hearing, skin elasticity, bone density, immune function, digestion, balance, flexibility, strength, and libido. Destroys free radicals (major cause of tissue degeneration) by stimulating activity of superoxide dismutase.