Calm Chicago

Posts Tagged ‘qigong’

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Intro Qigong/Tai Chi in May

In About our center on May 6, 2012 at 8:49 pm

We’re doing a bit of a schedule change to adapt to you all.
The Intro Qigong  class will start this Thursday evening at 5:30-6:15. 

Join us in the Chicago Arts District for 2nd Friday festivities this week.

You can enjoy mini-meditations and qigong sessions every 30 minutes. It’s important to know I think that these practices are super portable. You don’t need special equipment or hours of time to enjoy the benefits. Of course, doing more is going to be even better for you but even 5 minutes of practice two or three times a day can make a big difference in helping you dump some of that nasty stressed out feeling.

Sessions will be at:

Meditation 7,8,9

Qigong7:30,8:30, 9:30

Meditation: A simple yet profound practice. Learn to quiet the mind by focusing on the body and breath. When the mind becomes still, the fog of our emotions drops away. We can see reality more clearly and make more informed decisions. We experience life’s ups and downs, with greater balance emotionally, mentally and physically.

18-form Qigong: Coordinate the breath with gentle movements to revitalize body, breath and mind. Often prescribed as part of a program of treatment after illness, trauma, accident or surgery, and as a support for those suffering chronic disorders like diabetes, hyper-tension, asthma, depression. These movements are also ideal preventative medicine. Perform the complete set or  pick a few favorites do throughout the day to stay fresh, loose and relaxed.

from yang tai chi shi ba shi qigong first posture

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Stress Relief Starts May 3

In Health on May 3, 2012 at 12:13 am

Medical studies continue to show what thousands have known through their own experience, qigong is good for you.

New research which specifically looked at:

found demonstrated consistent, significant results for a number of health benefits in RCTs, evidencing progress toward recognizing the similarity and equivalence of Qigong and Tai Chi.

So, wouldn’t you rather beat back say, loss of bone density with exercise instead of expensive medicines with toxic side effects? I thought so. *(Qigong practice should not replace consultation with your doctor or medical treatment.)

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May 11th is Stress Relief All Night Long

In Stress reduction on May 2, 2012 at 3:05 pm

Calm Chicago is participating for the first time ever in the Chicago Art District’s 2nd Friday. We’ll be offering short mini-meditation sessions and qigong from 6-10pm. Our good friend, RoK Teasley will be doing original pastel drawings for you by request.

Meditation can help you focus better and leave you feeling more refreshed than if you took a nap, which can leave you feeling a tad groggy. You can do mini-meditations throughout your work day to help you stay clear of minor and major aggravations. Plus, who can get away with napping at work? You can however take a quick meditation break anytime. Even one minute can help keep you on track and happier.

Qigong not only feels good to do, it’s actually one of the best natural ways to rid your body of the nasty effects of stress. So please join us throughout the night to learn more about how you can help heal your body and mind naturally and easily.

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Governor’s State University Community Health Class

In Taiji, Tai Chi on April 25, 2012 at 4:22 pm

A Governor’s State University student came today for a short course (one hour) in tai chi for a presentation for her class in Community Health. While more time certainly would have been better for her, I thought how wonderful that such things are being incorporated into learning at this level.

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So much of what causes a lot of suffering for the average person are chronic stresses and ailments which are very well addressed by Qigong and Tai chi. Examples are diabetes, fibromyalgia, arthritis, depression etc. Study after study shows the efficacy of such “alternative” measures, so much so that increasingly, these methods may soon not be considered alternative at all.

If you’d like to get a handle on your health and your stress and want to give it a try, register for our 4-week Intro class.

Thanks for stopping by. Stay in touch by subscribing to Calm Chicago.

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New Classes in May

In Meditation on April 15, 2012 at 5:19 am

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Introduction to Qigong and Tai Chi 

Saturday Mornings 10-10:45am (starting in May!) $80/4-week session


Tai Chi/Qigong Drop – In Class

Thursday evenings 5:30 – 6:30 pm $17/class

Special Podmajersky Residents $10/class

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18-FORM QIGONG VIDEO ON YOU TUBE

In Meditation, Stress reduction, Tai Chi, Taiji on April 10, 2012 at 4:41 pm

I’m happy to offer a new video that can help you with your practice.Image

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And of course, if you find this blog useful, please join other peaceful people and subscribe!

 

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New Class Times and Options Coming in May

In Meditation on April 8, 2012 at 11:22 pm

ImagePlease visit our Classes and Tuition page to learn about our new class times, including a new Intro class and very exciting, new semi-private training for tai chi and qigong. Classes are limited to a maximum of three people. So now you and your friends can have the benefit of private lessons at a bargain rate! Spring is the perfect time to get your body healthy and your mind clear. You’ll also dump all that stress you’re toting around. WHo needs toxic stress? No one does. Some come on in. Call or email to reserve your class time now. Wishing everyone a healthy peaceful spring. Hillary

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Developing Your Qigong Practice

In Stress reduction, Tai Chi on April 8, 2012 at 10:52 pm

Patience in the Beginning

When I was first learning the 18-Form qigong, all my moves were stiff and sticky. Of course, this is how it is whenever we first learn something. I know it can be frustrating for a beginner. My advice? Do your best to let it go. This is a natural part of the learning process. In the beginning, your body and brain are working hard to figure out what the heck they’re supposed to be doing. You’re watching your teacher or other students and trying to play the mirror game of follow the leader. Of course it’s going to be a little wonky at first. Really, don’t feel bad. Did any of us learn to walk over night. One day there you are a little crawling baby and suddenly you’re not a toddler, you are a full-fledged, walking up right Homo sapiens? No way. It took time. So, keep that in mind and cut yourself some slack, okay?

Patience in the Middle

Sometimes, I think it can be a matter of finding the right metaphor to help us find our way. One that I like a lot and mention pretty often to students is to do each posture of the form as if you were moving through water. This may let you relax more and develop the sensitivity to lingering tension in your joints, particularly in your hands and arms. This allows you to notice that when the hands sink down towards the ground, that the heel of the palm and the wrist are the heaviest, allowing the fingertips to float up and be light, buoyed by the air, and sinking more slowly, more delicately than say, the rest of your arm.

Patience in the Rest of Your Journey

Try it and see if that works for you. Let me know how it goes. See how sharp you can make your attention to the whole body as you move and breathe. How light and soft can you be? Then enter your practice time with an easy mind. Of course it helps you to develop when you practice with diligence, attention and focus. But try to let go of grasping for perfection. Remember, that’s why we call all these things, Practice. Enjoy your qigong journey and allow yourself to float like the leaf on the quiet river. One move and a time. One breath at a time.

Nest time, I’ll take a look at some other metaphors which have proved useful to help students catch the idea in a way that makes sense for them.

Take care. Wishing peace and happiness for all beings. And if you found this useful, join other peace minded folks and subscribe.

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Full-day Mindfulness Retreat Sat. Jan 14, 2012 10am-4pm

In Meditation, Stress reduction on January 4, 2012 at 2:40 am

Register Now for a Stress-Free Day

Join us and learn how to make your body more healthy and your mind calmer.
 Practices effective against many common and preventable illnesses like: high blood pressure, diabetes, and other stress-related illnesses. (thank you World Tai Chi Day)

Interfaith retreat will be led by Hillary and her husband, Ving Tsun Sifu, Matthew Johnson. Come enjoy a day of peace: Alternating periods of dynamic meditation featuring qigong and walking meditation with standing and sitting meditation along with short talks by both retreat leaders on practical applications of all forms of meditation.
Vegetarian Pot-Luck Lunch. Please bring something to share.

Free. Donations gratefully accepted. Suggested donation $25
Please no perfumes or cologne. Silence all cell phones etc.
Please register using the form below.


Check out our full calendar of classes by clicking on the photo!

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Tai Chi Shi Ba Shi Video

In About our center, Stress reduction, Tai Chi on March 8, 2011 at 7:36 am

Just wanted to let you all know, that Calm Chicago is on You Tube. You’ll find our short videos about the 18-form qigong to help support your practice.

Each video deals with just one posture right now. And while getting to a class or involved with some kind of one-on-one instruction is ideal, in the meantime, I hope these can help answer questions you may have.

Let me know what questions you might have.

And if you’re interested in studying but can’t make it into the center, let me know because we’re be happy to come to your home, office or community space. We’re right here in Chinatown, so the South Loop is particularly close by.

Stay well.

Hillary

 

Hillary in 1st posture 18-form Shi ba shi

 

 

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