FAMILIES looking for ways to improve health and wellbeing are being invited to learn about an ancient Chinese healing practise.
Tai Chi Qigong is an ancient system of healing and energy medicine from China, believed to improve health and well-being.
Qigong (pronounced chee gung and sometimes spelled chi kung) uses breathing techniques, gentle movement and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi).
Lindsay Trevarthen, from Swinscoe, is holding an open evening showcasing the practise to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Lindsay, who holds regular classes in Calton, has been practising tai chi qigong for seven years and qualified as an instructor in February 2009.
She has taught both adults and children of all abilities in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, including Ilam, Alstonefield and Ashbourne, and also offers one-to-one sessions.
Lindsay said that qigong is regularly used to relieve stress and improve concentration.
She said: “Qigong is the ancient Chinese art of healing and probably dates back 5,000 years. It’s great for stress relief, can help improve balance and mobility and regulate blood pressure.
“Some people also find it improves their circulation and breathing and eases their arthritis.
“Some schools use tai chi and qigong exercises to help pupils improve their concentration.” People are generally more familiar with tai chi, which is one of the more complicated forms of qigong, performed in a series of continuous flowing movements.
Qigong is often confused with tai chi, but it is not a form of martial art. This misunderstanding can be attributed to the fact that most Chinese martial arts practitioners will usually also practice some form of qigong and, to the uninitiated, these arts may seem to be alike.
There are more than 10,000 styles of qigong, with more than 200 million practitioners worldwide.
Lindsay said qigong is suitable for everyone.
She said: “The gentle stretching exercises of harmony tai chi qigong are easy to learn and are suitable for all age groups, abilities and levels of fitness.” The open evening takes place on Tuesday, February 16, at Calton St Mary’s Memorial Hall, between 7pm and 8.30pm.
There will be fortune cookies, Chinese tea, music, information and a demonstration — all for free.
More information is available from Lindsay on 01335 300506, 07989 986672 or by emailing harmony@gilmanhouse.wanadoo.co.uk.