Letting go of Anxiety with Qigong

by Karen Steinbrecher

Qigong is a tool to transform emotional energy, anxiety, and stress into positive energy.  Life today demands a seemingly endless amount of energy and all too often we are left feeling drained and exhausted, stressed, perhaps anxious. Qigong is a way to help.  Everyone needs more energy, but some of us have forgotten how to access it.  These slow, flowing and meditative,  healing movements help us to let go, unlock, move on from stressful, anxiety-producing emotions. Qi is vitality, and Gong means practice. Thus, this practice helps us to empower ourselves and place more inspirational and positive energy into our mind, body, our emotions. You can learn more about this five thousand year old practice in Karen Steinbrecher's Tuesday and Thursday classes. 

Try this You Tube demonstration with Lee Holden called “An evening practice”.  It can be practiced at any time to help us release emotions we do not want in our life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybffyTvgTzA. To experience Qi Gong at the Resiliency Center or learn more, check out Karen's class schedule on out Resiliency Center calendar or contact her at karensteinbrecher@msn.com or 215-836-7184.

Never Too Old

--> by Karen Steinbrecher

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S. Lewis

As a practitioner of QiGong, an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates flowing movements, postures, breathing and focused intention, I would like to share the following:  I am now 71 years of age.  Yikes.  Practicing this modality I believe has helped me to stay young at heart, physically and mentally.  QiGong is recommended by the Harvard Medical School as well many physicians, and Dr. Oz. Its great appeal is that EVERY one can benefit, regardless of ability, age, belief system or circumstances.  Western scientific research confirms that those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality, maintain health even into old age as well as to  speed recovery from illness.  The following link from Daisy Lee addresses this with a story about her teacher Master Duan, who at the time of the story was nearing 100 yrs. of age: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtUHbZFu-BI&list=PL3DEE46AAE854A904. Enjoy Daisy Lee, and have fun and flow to glowing health this New Year.  Let the Qi flow to good health and happiness.

Karen Steinbrecher teaches Qigong at The Resiliency Center on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Learn more by emailing her at karensteinbrecher@msn.com.   

From my Heart: A Story about Dealing with Emotional and Physical Pain

by Karen Steinbrecher

I recently returned from a 10-day vacation to Norway and Sweden.  Yes, all was beautiful and fantastic, and the Scandinavian people were delightful. However, as with all things, there were challenges. We were constantly on the "go" on this cruise, walking, traveling, and mingling with many people in various activities. I did also experience pain, chronic neck and leg pain, while interacting with mean passengers from France.  I used the "inner smile" practice suggested by Thich Nhat Hanh, a well-known Tibetan monk, and was able to shift my feelings and state of being.

Qigong is my tool to weave through these situations.  Using my knowledge of the "tool" of QiGong, I was able to reduce and perhaps heal the pain I experienced. Emotional pain can lead to physical pain, and physical pain can lead to emotional pain. Research studies show evidence of the links between emotional, physical, and spiritual pain.

Listening to my body and my feelings during my trip, I knew I needed some alone time.  Qi Gong provides an opportunity to go inward and create a sacred space within, even in the company of others. Whether it was in my hotel/stateroom or outside touring the gorgeous landscapes, I flowed through QiGong movements. It is said that QiGong is even more powerful when practiced outside in Nature and with others. I felt the healing energy and the relief it brought. When others asked about my movements, I was so happy to share the gift of QiGong.  When we practice, we move the energy, Qi, that animates all life.  Gong means the moving, the work of cultivating that energy. The movements flow to harmonize Heaven and Earth/Sea:  Yang [Heaven] and Yin [ Earth].  The Norwegian words are Hima La Harv  [Himmel OgHav] for Sky and Sea.

When we flow with QiGong movements in my classes at the Resiliency Center, we begin with the Joy Practice and say..." I am the Universe, You are the Universe, and We connect for Peace and Love with Healing".  I remembered that Universe was presenting a challenge for me to do just that.  It was a challenge, and I hope that perhaps as I worked [Gong] to heal myself, somehow I did connect with others, kind and unkind alike, to promote Peace, Love and Healing.  As we heal ourselves, we heal one another.

QiGong is easy to do and easy to practice; in a group, the energy is even more empowering.  Moving and flowing through QiGong helps to balance the autonomic nervous system which is a key to healing.  Rather than sitting still, with QiGong movements your pain, emotional or physical, will be less.  Join me, Karen Steinbrecher on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. at The Resiliency Center. Learn more and RSVP at karensteinbrecher@msn.com  or 215-836-7184.

Fill Up this Winter with Positive Change: Lessons from the Practice of QiGong

by Karen Steinbrecher

As the ground hardens and the air chills, we are drawn to go ‘inside.’  In Taoist traditions, winter is the season when you are called to explore what lives below the surface, to pay attention to the internal workings of your intuition.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, winter is the time to focus upon the Kidneys, Yin, and the Bladder, Yang, as well as the adrenals.  This is a crucial time to nourish, warm and fuel your physical, mental and spiritual energy.  These winter practices have a cumulative effect upon your physical health, mental clarity, and innovative spirit. 

Infuse yourself with positive change by practicing and dancing Qigong!  Qigong is an invaluable tool to unite and align your thoughts, heart and physical body.  One of the best ways to infuse your being is with your intention, to bring in and initiate positive change.  May this Winter Solstice and all holy days that celebrate the light in one way or another feed your soul, your heart, your being.  May our Qigong practice help us call this light, this Qi into a joyful dance arounds us, our world, your world.  May we see the light in one another and joyfully acknowledge it with a smile or a hug.  

Winter in TCM celebrates the Water Element.  The waters of the earth and the waters of your body are one. As we dance and practice Qigong together, we are one in dynamic flow and movement.  Let us fuse with the Universe this New Year with Peace and Love and Light, bringing in positive change.  Feel yourself as you dance Qigong, grounded and home in flowing change.  Abundant Blessings to all of you with Gratitude and Peace and Love.  

Join Karen Steinbrecher at the Resiliency Center each Thursday at 2 P.M. or at 6:15 P.M. in the open workspace.  Learn more at http://www.meetup.com/Resiliency-Gatherings-for-Movement-Inner-Strength-Joy/ 

Celebrate the Joys of Summer with Qigong

by Karen Steinbrecher

Now is a time of Light, Joy, Elation and Happiness.  Find the magic within as you practice and dance QiGong. This is a time to fully express the new ideas and goals, the seeds we planted at the start of the year. Summer is the season of the heart according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.  This is the season to step into your joy. An important teaching of Chinese medicine is that there is a seamless continuum between the body and the environment around us.  In Five Phase Theory we have entered the cycle of summer, the time, cycle, greatest Yang, and this season is also called ‘Fire.’ All cycles are manifestations of the movement of Yin and Yang, and the seasons are no different. The time of Yin in autumn and winter is a time of resting while both spring and summer are Yang seasons. Yang represents growth, expansion and outward movement. Spring begins this movement of growth, and summer takes over to allow growth to expand to its fullest. During summer we stay healthy trying to mimic this Fire/Yang movement of nature, yet we want to be mindful, to not overdo things. Both too little and too much divert us from harmony. Thus with QiGong practice we work to balance the Yin and Yang. 

Fire stands for heat and the color red. In the body Fire is the Heart, representing a Yang organ and the Small Intestine represents the Yin organs. Stepping into your joy means that it is okay to take a moment away from your busy schedule. Remind yourself that no matter what is going on, it is always possible to feel peace in your heart.  It is good to nourish your being, your spirit, to be kind to yourself. Remember also to nourish yourself with foods.  That is the Yin organ, the small intestine.  This is the organ where the most extensive process of digestion and absorption of foods and nutrient take place.

With Qigong we dance/practice movements to nourish our being with compassion towards joy and happiness.   Some of the many movements connecting the  Heart meridian are  the “Coming and going of the waves, Letting up a balloon, the Swan spreads it wings, Turning your body to view a distant  Full Moon and the Lotus is Rising from the Water.” “Turning the Ball of Light” connects the Small Intestine meridian. These flowing and peaceful stretching movements with the breath work feel so good. For example, the Lotus flower symbolizes Harmony and Love, Peace and Compassion and more. When we practice the Lotus movements, we envision rising up through the muck and the mud to become a flower resonating with purification and growth and happiness. This is a favorite movement with my classes.

Come join us to return to your Heart during these Lotus days of summer with Qigong on Thursdays at 2 P.M. and at 6:15 P.M.

The class lasts for 1 hour with a charge of $10.00

With Qi Blessings and Gratitude,

Karen

Celebrate the Joys of Summer with Qigong

by Karen Steinbrecher

Summer is the season of the heart according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.  This is the season to step into your joy.  An important teaching of Chinese medicine is that there is a seamless continuum between the body and the environment around us.   In Five Phase Theory we have entered the cycle of summer, the time, cycle, of greatest Yang, and this season is also called ‘Fire’.  All cycles are manifestations of the movement of Yin and Yang, and the seasons are no different.  The time of Yin in autumn and winter is a time of resting while both spring and summer are Yang seasons.  Yang represents growth, expansion and outward movement.  Spring begins this movement of growth, and summer takes over to allow growth to expand to its fullest.  During summer we stay healthy trying to mimic this Fire/Yang movement of nature, yet we want to be mindful, to not overdo things.  Both too little and too much divert us from harmony.  Thus with Qigong practice we work to balance the Yin and Yang. 

Fire stands for heat and the color red.  In the body Fire is the Heart, representing a Yang organ and the Small Intestine represents the Yin organs.  This is the season to step into your joy.  This means that it is okay to take a moment away from your busy schedule.  Remind yourself that no matter what is going on, it is always possible to feel peace in your heart.  It is good to nourish your being, your spirit, to be kind to yourself.

Remember also to nourish yourself with foods.  That is the Yin organ, the small intestine.  This is the organ where the most extensive process of digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients take place.

With Qigong we dance/practice movements to nourish our being with compassion towards joy and happiness.  Some of the many movements connecting the  Heart meridian are  the “Coming and going of the waves, Letting up a balloon, the Swan spreads it wings, Twisting your Body to view a distant Full Moon and the Lotus is Rising from the Water.”

“Turning the Ball of Light” connects the Small Intestine meridian.  These flowing and peaceful stretching movements with the breathwork feel so good.  For example, the Lotus flower symbolizes Harmony and Love and Peace and Compassion and more.  When we practice the Lotus movements, we envision rising up through the muck and the mud to become a flower resonating with purification and growth and happiness.  This is a favorite movement with my classes.

Come join us to return to your Heart during these Lotus days of summer with Qigong on Thursdays at 2 P.M. and at 6:15 P.M.

The class lasts for 1 hour with a charge of $10.00

There will be No Class on Thursday July 18^th, 25^th and August 1^st.  I offer a free Qigong in Ambler Borough Park on Sunday July 7^th at 2 P.M. for 1 hour. The park is located at the intersection of Hendricks St. & Valleybrook Rd.

With Qi Blessings and Gratitude,

Karen

Dancing Qigong This Spring

by Karen Steinbrecher

We dance and practice Qigong to lead us back to balance.  As we flow from winter into the green of Spring, seeds are sprouting to new life. We practice and dance movements that align our bodies to the organs. In TCM ( Traditional Chinese Medicine) that represent the Wood element Spring.  When we practice Qigong we work upon aligning body, mind and spirit, to balance Yin (Earth) and Yang (Heaven). 

The organs associated with the Wood element are the Liver (the Yin organ), and the Gall Bladder (the Yang organ).  Here, at the Resiliency Center, we practice various movements that align with our organs and their functions to help us move towards balance.  For example, the Liver filters and detoxifies the blood, and makes substances soluble for the transportation and excretion process of the kidneys.  This governs the free flow of Qi [energy that animates all life] which in turn ensures a smoother flow of emotions, blood, bile and water.  The Gall Bladder eliminates toxins in the body, emulsifies fats and regulates cholesterol levels.

We dance and practice various movements that align with the above-mentioned organs.  For example, we practice “Turning a Wheel of Light” for the Liver and for the Gall Bladder meridian, we dance “Bird’s Flight” as well as other flowing and stretching movements.

To experience the healing power of QiGong, you need to have in your mind a clear vision of what is happening to you.  In classical Chinese this would be called a vision of Heaven (Yang) and Earth (Yin).  In many ways, it is the same portrait of the cosmos as revealed by contemporary scientists. Following this thought on the balance of Yin and Yang- Heaven and Earth- the Qigong movement and breathing exercises help us to  return this energy to alignment.  When this balance is achieved, stress is reduced, and this helps us to increase the effectiveness of our immune system to ward off illness.  Research indicates that regular Qigong practice can help eliminate some types of chronic pain, reduce the need for medication, shorten postoperative recovery time, and even help to control diabetes.

Practicing Qigong can bring you back in touch with yourself; it enables you to let go of the increasing pressures and fast pace of life.  Think “green” this Spring and let go of stress as you dance QiGong. Here at the Resiliency Center there are several excellent therapists who practice  various types of support and can provide the help you may need to return to balance.  QiGong is led by Karen Steinbrecher who teaches classes on Thursdays @ 2 P.M. and 6:15 P.M. for 55 minutes.  Cost is $10.00

Tai Chi or QiGong: WHICH Should I Study? - by Karen Steinbrecher

As a practitioner of QiGong for over 14 years and as a practitioner and teacher here at the Resiliency Center, I must admit that I resonate to the practice of QiGong.  I love QiGong as many of you know; it is my way of life.  Yet I would like to explain some differences between QiGong and Tai Chi.   Some people prefer Yoga; some prefer Pilates; some prefer Tai Chi, and I prefer QiGong. It is all GOOD.

Tai Chi has increased in popularity and often appears in the background for advertisements of unrelated products.  It is recommended for seniors and by the American Arthritis Society, which has its own simplified version.  Many health clubs and martial arts studios offer Tai Chi classes.

Tai Chi is a Chinese art designed to protect oneself from unarmed and armed attacks and illnesses.  It is both a martial art and a method for preventing and treating illnesses.   The movements are choreographed to be practiced in a specific order.  You may find more information about its history and concepts through Google and also in the article  “Are You Really Learning Tai Chi and is it Effective for Stress?” by Martin Eisen in the Yang Sheng Journal [Insert link to http://yang-sheng.com/?p=1612].

QiGong, pronounced  ‘Chee Kung’ is not as well-known as Tai Chi and is frequently given as an auxiliary exercise before or after doing Tai Chi. In Chinese,  “Gong” means work or hard task.  “Qi” can be translated as life energy.  When you practice, dance QiGong, you practice, learn to control the flow of Qi through your body by using breath, movement and meditation.  It is a Chinese practice and discipline that is at least 5000 years old.  Depending upon the goal of the practitioner, the main divisions of modern Qigong (there are thousands of different practices) are Spiritual, Medical, Martial and Athletic.  And yes, there is an overlap between the divisions.

Medical Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine  (TCM).  TCM theory says that the health is the result of smooth, unblocked, not stagnate Qi circulation.  When Qi does not flow smoothly, it may be stagnant or blocked, and that can cause a problem or a deficiency in any part of the body. Disease can be a result of poor Qi circulation.  Once the flow of Qi is balanced, the body tends to heal itself.

Qi cultivation facilitates and supports health and the quality of life.  Practicing Qigong can empower the body through Qi cultivation for healing and health; it helps to train the body to produce within, the internal elixir.  This means to produce the effective corresponding medicine within the body.  According to Master Zhongli Quan, “the best medicine can be produced by internal Qi cultivation, with greater balance and harmony of the internal organs.”

While I am not a certified Medical QiGong practitioner, I lead people to discover the joy of the flowing healing movements of QiGong, as a way to take charge of your health, so that you can work in harmony with your Primary Medical Doctor.  Qi cultivation is the heart of QiGong practice.   It helps us to cope with stress and the energy imbalances that happen during daily life, towards achieving an optimal state, one with greater balance and harmony that will allow the healing of chronic health conditions towards joy.

I am thankful for the blessings and rewards that QiGong practice has enabled me to experience.  Come join me so that I may share this experience and practice with you.

Qi Dao, Yi Dao.  Where the Qi flows, the Mind goes.

Karen Steinbrecher  leads QiGong here at the Resiliency Center every Thursday  in the Open Workspace at 2:00 pm and 6:15 pm.  The class lasts for 50 -55 minutes for a charge of $10.00/class.