Qigong: boost your energy, and your grade

By Jamie Hogue | Published On November 16, 2009 | In Health

Editor’s note — Complementary medicine, such as the technique discussed in this article, should be treated with extreme scepticism. The evidence to support such practices is often scant or non-existent. The Quackwatch website has said of Qigong: “[S]cientific investigators of Qigong masters in China have found no evidence of paranormal powers and some evidence of deception.”

A response to a comment questioning this has been posted on our Staff Blog.

If winter deadlines and shorter, colder days make you stressed, you can now learn to relax and relieve stress Qigong style.

Lincoln students are being given an opportunity to relax and relieve stress, as the University of Lincoln is offering a weekly Qigong class (pronounced Chi-gung), an ancient Taoist tradition that promises improved control of energy, self-healing and concentration. It also claims to help beat anxiety and sleeping difficulties.

Many health experts have warned that stress can lead to serious illness. The class teaches students how to combat this by releasing stress. However, is it really an effective way to beat the winter blues? I joined in last week’s session to see for myself.

The class began by practicing a few weight shifts and simple stretches, which quickly led me to feel light-headed. I was told that this feeling was due to a weight, quite literally, being lifted off my shoulders. It was explained to me that this was caused by nervous tension and stress. The exercises worked together to soothe the muscles and create intense feelings of relaxation.

The session is led by Salil Pande, a certified instructor and second-year acupuncture student. Pande has practiced with Bruce Frantzis, an expert in Eastern arts and healing. “Qigong is a powerful self-healing program designed to help you increase your core energy (chi), so you can attain vibrant health and energetic fitness,” Frantzis said.

Pande’s class gives those in attendance an insight into the inner-workings of their own bodies. “If you’re in balance with yourself, you’re much more likely to be in touch with everything around you,” he said.

Students are taught how to “unlock their energy gates, and control their flow of chi around the body,” which can often become blocked due to stress. These blockages can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty sleeping and muscle or joint pain. After attending only a few sessions, students have reported feeling energised and stress-free, ready to focus on their studies with a clear mind.

As a rule, Qigong exercise involves little movement, only concentration. Unlike many other aspects of life, participants are encouraged to only give 70% of their efforts with the exercises, as this promotes a calm, clear atmosphere.

Katie Tildesley, who attendended at the class, enjoyed the experience so much that she got her family involved. Katie’s mother, Alma, used to endure sharp pains in her right foot. Now, after just a few sessions, she has identified the cause of problem as a blockage in her chi, i.e. caused by stress.

The class has helped her to manage the pain gradually, as she has “the patience to learn”. She argues that people are too quick to dismiss anything that doesn’t give immediate results.

The Energy Gates Qigong and Meditation Class takes place in MC002 of the Media Building every Monday from 6 – 7:30pm, until the 30th November. Although the Complementary Medicine Society designs the sessions for students, they are happy to welcome others who are interested in learning new things.

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