Medical Qigong August Schedule

At the very bottom of this post is a video I recently produced highlighting scapular movement and its involvement with the expansion and contraction in qigong and taiji training. Scroll to the bottom and check it out. It also features some commentary on the Lung and Large Intestine Channel Sinews.

Monday	Tue	Wednesday	Thur	Friday	Saturday	Sun
Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Mobility Training for Qigong 9:00-9:30am est	Taiji Ball 10:00-10:30 am est
Core Strengthening for Qigong 10:30-11:15 am est		Five Animal Sports  10:30-11:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est	Five Animal Sports Practice 10:30-11:30 am est
Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists 1:00-2:00pm est		Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists 11:30-12:30pm est
Low Back & Hip  2:00-3:00pm est		Neck & Shoulder 2:00-3:00pm est
		Taiji (Tai Chi) Foundations 6:00-6:45pm est

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

Class Fee $10/class or $50/month unlimited classes

Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists $30 per class (includes unlimited classes)

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!

Taiji (Tai Chi) Foundations: This class will highlight many foundational principles of taiji and will introduce part 1 (the first 22 movements) of the sequence. It is open to beginners and to those with previous experience in taiji.

Core Strengthening for Qigong: Effective qigong practice requires physical strength, especially in key regions. This class will focus on core strengthening, the neck and shoulder muscles, the arches of the feet, and the legs, hip and gluteal muscles — all regions that can become weak and lead to poor posture, a compressed spine and poor circulation in the internal organs.Recommended: Some exercises will be done lying down or seated, an exercise mat and folding chair (or other chair or stool) is suggested.

Mobility Training for Qigong and Taiji: Mobility training encourages both strength and flexibility and trains the muscles to be active and strong in their entire range of motion. This class will focus on mobility of key regions of the body important for qigong and taiji practice, notably the hip, ankle, and shoulder girdle. Spinal mobility will also be addressed, but this is prominent in other classes where we practice the spinal wave (Eight Pieces of Brocade, Five Animal Sports, Taiji Ball).
Recommended: Some exercises will be done on the floor and others standing. Standing exercises will require balance. A mat for floor exercises and a stable base to hold on to (such as a wall, desk, counter, etc.) for standing exercises is suggested.

Taiji Ball: Involves various Qigong patterns using one larger or two individual handheld balls to improve the connection of the spine to the arm movement. These patterns can then be applied to taiji, five animal sports, eight pieces of brocade, and other forms.

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 and five animal sports. There will be opportunity to improve your own health and learn effective strategies for working with patients.

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)

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Medical Qigong Schedule for July

Class Schedule for July

Monday	Tue	Wednesday	Thur	Friday	Saturday	Sun
Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Mobility Training for Qigong 9:00-9:30am est	Taiji Ball 10:00-10:30 am est
Core Strengthening for Qigong 10:30-11:15 am est		Five Animal Sports  10:30-11:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est	Five Animal Sports Practice 10:30-11:30 am est
Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists 1:00-2:00pm est		Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists 11:30-12:30pm est
Low Back & Hip  2:00-3:00pm est		Neck & Shoulder 2:00-3:00pm est

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

Class Fee $10/class or $50/month unlimited classes

Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists $30 per class (includes unlimited classes)

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!

Core Strengthening for Qigong: Effective qigong practice requires physical strength, especially in key regions. This class will focus on core strengthening, the neck and shoulder muscles, the arches of the feet, and the legs, hip and gluteal muscles — all regions that can become weak and lead to poor posture, a compressed spine and poor circulation in the internal organs.Recommended: Some exercises will be done lying down or seated, an exercise mat and folding chair (or other chair or stool) is suggested.

Mobility Training for Qigong and Taiji: Mobility training encourages both strength and flexibility and trains the muscles to be active and strong in their entire range of motion. This class will focus on mobility of key regions of the body important for qigong and taiji practice, notably the hip, ankle, and shoulder girdle. Spinal mobility will also be addressed, but this is prominent in other classes where we practice the spinal wave (Eight Pieces of Brocade, Five Animal Sports, Taiji Ball).
Recommended: Some exercises will be done on the floor and others standing. Standing exercises will require balance. A mat for floor exercises and a stable base to hold on to (such as a wall, desk, counter, etc.) for standing exercises is suggested.

Taiji Ball: Involves various Qigong patterns using one larger or two individual handheld balls to improve the connection of the spine to the arm movement. These patterns can then be applied to taiji, five animal sports, eight pieces of brocade, and other forms.

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 and five animal sports. There will be opportunity to improve your own health and learn effective strategies for working with patients.

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)

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Self-Myofascial Release of the SCM

The SCM is an interesting muscle for many reasons. It can be a frequent contributor to muscle tension headaches, which is the primary reason I would include direct needling to this muscle. However, there are many other conditions that would lead me to include this muscle in treatment, such as positional vertigo, ear pain or ear stuffiness, and atypical facial pain.

I authored a post that that appears on the Sports Medicine Acupuncture (SMA) blog for July, 2020. This post features more specific information about the SCM muscle, along with information regarding its channel correspondences which will help the acupuncturists when putting together a comprehensive point prescription. Also, there is a video with demonstration of needling for the SCM muscle.

Below is a video that features a self-myofascial release technique for the SCM muscle. This is a pin a stretch technique which can be taught to patients following treatment. This muscle, when locked-short, frequently responds well to further intervention and it can be helpful for patients to perform the technique between treatments. Make sure that you are comfortable with this technique yourself. The pressure is not excessive and you are medial to the carotid artery, so this should not be a problem if the technique is performed correctly. However, you would want to make sure that patients know where the fingers are placed and that they stay on the muscle during the movement.

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Medical Qigong Schedule for June

I will be uploading some more posts soon and will find another place to post my class schedule. If you have found your way to my blog, scroll down for content regarding the sinew channels. In addition to acupuncture and manual therapy, qigong and other movement systems are the primary way I work with the sinew channels, and this is why I have my class schedule up on my blog.

Class Schedule for June

Monday	Tue	Wednesday	Thur	Friday	Saturday	Sun
Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est		Eight Pieces of Brocade 9:30-10:15am est	Taiji Ball 10:00-10:30 am est
Core Strengthening for Qigong 10:30-11:15 am est		Five Animal Sports  10:30-11:15am est			Five Animal Sports Practice 10:30-11:30 am est
		Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists 12:00-1:00pm est
Low Back & Hip  2:00-3:00pm est		Neck & Shoulder 2:00-3:00pm est

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

Class Fee $20/class or $50/month unlimited classes

Medical Qigong for Acupuncturists $30 per class (includes unlimited classes)

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!

Core Strengthening for Qigong: Effective qigong practice requires physical strength, especially in key regions. This class will focus on core strengthening, the neck and shoulder muscles, the arches of the feet, and the legs, hip and gluteal muscles — all regions that can become weak and lead to poor posture, a compressed spine and poor circulation in the internal organs.
Recommended: Some exercises will be done lying down or seated, an exercise mat and folding chair (or other chair or stool) is suggested.

Taiji Ball: Involves various Qigong patterns using one larger or two individual handheld balls to improve the connection of the spine to the arm movement. These patterns can then be applied to taiji, five animal sports, eight pieces of brocade, and other forms.

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 and five animal sports. There will be opportunity to improve your own health and learn effective strategies for working with patients.

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)

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