Qigong

Qigong (sometimes alternatively spelt Chi Gong or Chi Kung) is an ancient practice that makes up one of the branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, alongside acupuncture. It shares similar principles to yoga of deep breathing, mindfulness, and removing energetic blockages, to help energy flow more smoothly throughout the body and create an overall sense of well-being. It’s an umbrella term for many forms of movement, including the more commonly known Tai Chi.

Mast Cell Action is delighted to share our new weekly Qigong class. These sessions will be led by Duncan from Tai Chi Rutland and hosted by volunteer Community Champion, Deborah. These sessions are designed for people who have MCAS or care for someone with MCAS (or suspected MCAS). Sessions are weekly on Tuesdays at 7pm. 

Please book a place for each session you wish to attend.

Qigong involves gentle movement combined with deep breathing, mindful presence with the bodily experience, and sometimes visualisation or chanting. It can be done standing, seated, lying down, or even without any movement at all - we’ve heard that as long as you can breathe, you can do Qigong! Our Qigong classes will be seated. 

The great thing about Qigong is that it’s highly modifiable. It’s a movement practice that places great importance in honouring what one’s body can do in that particular moment, and in not overexerting oneself.  All that you’ll need to bring is a chair to sit on (something like a dining chair without armrests, or a stool, so that you can move your arms around).

Qigong is a gentle healing practice. It can help to lower stress and pain in the body, and promote better energy levels and sleep. It is not a magical cure all for health issues however, but a valuable part of the puzzle in managing them.

Qigong honours where the body is at today, and emphasises working within your capabilities. It involves slow movement and deep, slow breathing. If you have trouble breathing as slowly, you can speed the movements up to be in time with your own breath.

If an exercise causes any pain, try to reduce your range of motion until you get to a point that's comfortable for you. The practice should never be painful. If a movement or breathing exercise is not possible due to pain, or because of dizziness or low energy levels, focus on your breathing instead. If you find that the movements are not accessible to you, you can even close your eyes and imagine yourself doing the movement-the brain is a powerful thing, and you can get similar benefits just by pretending! Mast Cell Action will not be held responsible for any injury sustained.

We will be running this session virtually through Zoom, you are welcome to attend with your microphone and camera off if you feel more comfortable doing so - although you may benefit from being more interactively involved during the session.

Find out more about our Qigong hosts; Duncan and Deborah below.