Integrative Medical Qigong Online Classes During Social Distancing

Below is a schedule for online medical qigong classes. Medical qigong uses movements that promote circulation of qi to prevent illness and help support the body for better healing potential when people are ill. The movements massage the internal organs and promote good circulation. The approach I teach uses traditional concepts, but integrates Western exercise and health concepts which address muscle imbalances, strengthen the core, and mobilize joints. These movements look to the channel sinews as the link between the Western and Eastern concepts. I will write more in future blog posts about this and highlight various movements and how they relate to the channel sinews and the organs.

Email brian@ideal-balance.net for the Zoom Meeting ID and password

Class Schedule for April

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Eight Pieces of Brocade (F) 9:30-10:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade (F) 9:30-10:15am est	Five Animal Sports  (SG) $20 9:30-10:15am est	Eight Pieces of Brocade (F) 9:30-10:15am est	Five Animal Sports Practice (F) 10:30-11:30am est
Opening the Breathing (F) 10:30-11:15 am est		Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists (MQA) 10:30-11:30 am est		Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists (MQA) 10:30-11:30 am est
Low Back & Hip  (SG) $20 2:00-3:00pm est		Knee, Ankle and Foot (SG) $20 2:00-3:00pm est		Neck & Shoulder (SG) $20 2:00-3:00pm est

Classes may be added for April. Check back and refresh the page to see updated schedule

F – Free; classes are follow-along. Group instruction is given, but not individual, due to group size and class structure. Donations are welcome, and participants can follow the donation link at the bottom of the page. 

SG – Small Group; limited to 5 participants. Sign up beforehand by email or phone; an email address is necessary. Instructor can see participants and will give individual instruction. Classes include qigong and other corrective exercises to improve strength, flexibility and function and overall health and wellness. Classes are $20 (invoiced; do not use the donation link).

MQA – Medical Qigong (for Acupuncturists); limited to 5 participants. Sign up beforehand by email or phone; an email address is necessary. Instructor can see participants and will give individual instruction. Classes will include active qigong instruction and integrated discussion of acupuncture points, the channel sinews (jingjin) and zangfu and how these relate to the movements. Classes are $30 (invoiced; do not use the donation link).

T – Telemedicine (by appointment). Private one on one sessions. This telemedicine appointment is private and a detailed history and assessment is performed. A detailed treatment is given which can include self acupressure and massage (sometimes with tools such as a foam roll or therapy balls), specific corrective exercises prescriptions, core stabilization exercises, herbal medical prescriptions. Call or email to request an appointment.

Class Descriptions

Eight Pieces of Brocade: This sequence includes 8 moves, each working on a specific organ system. This form is easy to do (but there can be a lot of nuance), does not require difficult stepping or shifting of weight and can even be done seated. This form is very accessible, but has much to offer for all. It can be very meditative and calming, as there is some repetition and less difficulty in terms of learning the moves.

Five Animal Sports: This sequence includes 5 moves that are part of each "Animal" (25 moves total). Chinese physiology has many correspondences, and each Animal represents and organ that is being worked on. This form is a bit more difficult, but can still be modified for individual health challenges. It does involve stepping and shifting, but it can be modified to be seated if necessary. This form is very dynamic and a lot of fun!

Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists: This class will allow an opportunity to explore concepts much more in depth regarding how the movements massage/mobilize certain acupuncture points and regions, engage the channel sinews (jingjin), and massage/mobilize the internal organs (zangfu). The class will feature multiple qigong sets such as the eight pieces of brocade.

Low Back & Hip: This class focuses on low back and hip health and is excellent for those with low back and hip conditions. The class features various qigong and corrective exercises which increase flexibility, strengthen important structures for low back and hip stability, balance the pelvic alignment, and strengthen the core. This class is good for both prevention and for general conditions, but for more severe pain, the telemedicine sessions might be indicated.
Recommended: Loose fitting clothing, mat, folding chair (or other chair or stool)

Shoulder & Neck: This class focuses on the shoulder and neck region and is excellent for those with neck and shoulder conditions, headaches, and jaw tension. The class features various qigong and corrective exercises which increase flexibility, strengthen important structures for neck and shoulder stability, balance the neck, shoulder and head alignment, and strengthen the core. This class is good for both prevention and for general conditions, but for more severe pain, the telemedicine sessions might be indicated.
Recommended: Loose fitting clothing, mat, folding chair (or other chair or stool)

Knee, Ankle & Foot: This class focuses on the knee, ankle and foot region and is excellent for those with conditions of these regions. The class features various qigong and corrective exercises which increase flexibility, strengthen important structures for knee, ankle and foot stability, and balance the pelvis, knee and foot alignment. This class is good for both prevention and for general conditions, but for more severe pain, the telemedicine sessions might be indicated.
Recommended: Loose fitting clothing, mat, folding chair (or other chair or stool)

Opening the Breathing. This class supports the other classes by focusing on proper use of the chest and shoulder girdle muscles, so that the chest can remain open during practice and breathing can be regulated.

 

For those that have found this post from recent webinars or other sources that I have recently done with Matt Callison regarding a low back telemedicine case study, that post and the accompanying video can be found at the Sports Medicine Acupuncture Blog

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