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Balancing your Emotions with Qigong with Suzanne Rienits
Introduction to Medical Qigong, Level 1 and 2 with Bisong Guo
Guo Lin Walking Qigong (for Cancer/ Chronic illness)

Balancing your Emotions with Qigong
with Suzanne Rienits
Saturday 20 September, 10am - 4pm, Course fee: $80
In Chinese Medicine and Qigong theory, emotions can be viewed as Qi /Chi (vital energy) moving in different directions or being stuck. Come and learn Qigong exercises using breath, visualisations, sound, acupressure and physical movements to aid in harmonising your emotions and help you shift from repetitive emotional patterns e.g. depression, anger, grief, anxiety, worry, fear and loss of joy. Discover how different emotions affect the functioning of your organs, immune system and tensions that are held in your body. Notes included.

Saturday 20 September, 10am - 4pm, Course fee: $80

Medical Qigong Level 1 and 2
with Dr Bisong Guo

A series of ongoing day/weekend Qigong workshops are offered, which promote a space to totally relax into yourself, allow your body, mind and spirit to heal and rejuvenate. Each workshop is complete in itself, but also forms the beginning of a process of an ever deepening self exploration and understanding of Qigong.

In these workshops you will be learning Qigong movements and postures, as well as how to harness Qi (vital life force) by following the cycles of nature and by tuning into and following your own Qi.

Bisong’s availability to visit Australia is limited, so this tour will be the last opportunity for the foreseeable future where she will be offering her Level 1 and 2 training. If you would like to participate in this unique opportunity of Qigong training with Bisong, please book in as soon as possible.

The courses are held in Bangalow (near Byron Bay). Level 3 will be offered in 2009.

Level 1 – Friday 29 August,10am – 5.30pm. Course fee: $110.
Please note: There is also a pre-requisite local training before this date.

Level 2 – W’end 30 - 31 August,10am - 5.30pm, Course fee: $220

Bisong Guo is an extraordinary master healer.  Author of “Listen to your Body”, she is trained in both Western and Traditional Chinese medicine. A specialist in acupuncture, she has undertaken an intensive study of Qigong with Daoist monks and Buddhist  Qigong masters. She travels widely, teaching Qigong in the UK, Europe, USA and Australia. Medical Qigong is a specialised method for people with chronic diseases of all kinds and is widely used in China. It is appropriate for a wide range of problems and has a powerful effect on the immune system by awakening the body's innate power of recovery, restoring self confidence to the patient. Bisong will show you how to get in touch with your Qi (vital energy/life force). She is a living proof of what she teaches – such that just by being in her presence you will experience remarkable feelings of Qi.

Guo Lin Walking Qigong - August ‘08
for people who have or have had cancer or chronic illness

August: W’end 9,10, Saturday 16, Thursday 28

Guo Lin Qigong helps prevent and encourages recovery from cancer and chronic diseases. Practiced daily this particular Walking Qigong form will aid in improving your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. It is a combination of a particular breathing pattern, physical movement and meditation that is specifically designed to regulate the vital energy (Qi) by expelling external pathogens whilst replenishing any underlying deficiencies of the person. It is widely recognised today that cancer is multi-factorial in origin and it is equally acknowledged that the “busy-ness” of our modern lifestyle contributes in part to its growing epidemic. Thus it is important to have a daily practice such as Gou Lin Qigong.

Guo Lin Qigong was introduced more than 50 years ago by Madam Guo, a long-term cancer survivor who developed a network of self-help groups throughout China and beyond. Today over one million Chinese are reported to practice this form of Qigong.

Now is the opportunity to take an active role in healing your body, to increase your Wellness and learn this Living Life Skill. Connect with others in the Byron, Ballina, Lismore regions who wish to learn and practice this form of Qigong and join the local Walking for Wellness Qigong Group.

Fitness is not a prerequisite—if you can walk and breathe, you can do Guo Lin Qigong!

Your investment in yourself to do this training course: $360

To book phone Barb on +61 (0)2 6680 8893 or contact her at: walkingforwellness@rocketmail.com

Your teachers:
Dr Bisong Guo, Suzanne Rienits and Tony Graham are Chinese Medicine specialists and Medical Qigong Practitioners. They have over 70 years of collective experience in working with Qi. In this training course they will take you through the complete Guo Lin Walking Qigong form over 4 sessions, so that you can improve your wellbeing.

The Way of Tea - CHA DAO
An evening with Bisong Guo on Wednesday August 27, 7.30pm
Yogalates Studio, 72 Byron St, Bangalow.

• Enjoy a delightful evening experience that will allow you to:
• Learn about the Qi (energy, vital force) of Tea, different healing benefits
  and how best to drink it
  View a traditional way of having a Chinese Tea Ceremony, find out about
  ‘Tea smelling cups’ and explore the aesthetics of Tea
• Sample and savour a range of exclusive Teas direct from China
• Discover the history of Tea, its cultural role, and the many processes that
  it goes through to produce the varieties we enjoy

PS. These exclusive Teas will be available for you to purchase at the end of the evening.

Tickets: $45 each or 2 for $80 at ticket outlets or at the door.
It is recommended to pre-purchase your ticket to avoid missing out as limited seating is available.

Ticket outlets
Bangalow: Dragonfly – Asian foodstore and homewares, (opp Summerland Credit Union) Ph: 02 6687 1895
Byron Bay:
Lennox Head and via Internet: Suzanne Rienits Ph: 02 6687 5636, wellnessandbeing@yahoo.com.au

About Dr Bisong Guo:
Bisong has trained in both Western and Chinese Medicine, and has completed intensive study of Qigong with Daoist monks and Buddhist Qigong masters. She is known as an extraordinary healer, specializing in Acupuncture and Qigong, Since 1989 Bisong has lived in England, where she has treated over 10 000 patients. She travels extensively, teaching Qigong primarily in the UK and Europe. She is the author of the book “Listen to your body- the wisdom of the Dao”

Having made an extensive enquiry into the affects and benefits of Tea over decades, Bisong, a Tea connoisseur, now offers an evening where she can share the refinement of her experience and understanding about different teas. She also takes groups for Qigong and Tea Experiences in China.

Guo Lin Qigong
This style was developed by Guo Lin, a Chinese woman who contracted uterine cancer in 1949 at the age of 43. In 1960 it metastasized to her bladder. She already practiced Qigong but found that her style of practice did not work so well for her cancer. Her uncle, who was a Taoist priest, had left her his manuscripts on Qigong and from her studies of these ancient texts she developed the Guo Lin style. She went on to teach this method all over China for over 20 years. Guo Lin is designed to expel external pathogens whilst at the same time replenishing any underlying deficiencies. It is widely recognised today that cancer is multi-factorial in origin and it is equally acknowledged that the “busy-ness” of our modern lifestyle contributes in part to its growing epidemic. Many styles of Qigong require the practitioner to slow down and be still, but Guo Lin Qigong recognises that this is particularly difficult for those who have cancer. Hence, although it includes sitting and standing postures, which are important components, this course also incorporates an active style of walking Qigong which can be more appealing and in this case, more therapeutic, to cancer patients. However, fitness is not a prerequisite—if you can walk and breathe, you can do Guo Lin Qigong!

Australasian Qi/ Chi/ Ki Arts Festival
Come join us at The Australasian Qi/ Chi/ Ki Arts Festival
The Festival is a fun celebration to focus awareness and cultivate Vital Energy (Qi/ Chi/ Ki) and Wellness through breath, mindfulness/ intention and good body usage practices in every day life. It is hosted by the Qifull Qigong and Tai Chi Network.

What happens at the Festival and who will be there?
Over 1 ½ days, highly respected Tai Chi, Qigong, Aikido and Meditation teachers, practitioners and performers, along with other teachers in disciplines such as Calligraphy, Feng Shui, Tea Ceremony (The Art of Tea), Origami, and music will be sharing their knowledge. There will be  performances and demonstrations, community classes, talks/ forums on a wide array of Qi/Chi/Ki developing topics. There will also be refinement classes for Qigong/ Tai Chi/ Aikido practitioners.
 
A Tea Pavilion will be available for you to sample teas and other beverages along with Yum Cha and delicacies to stimulate and satisfy your taste buds. There will be a variety of activities for all ages from kids to grannies. People from all walks of life will be joining in the Festival Celebration. Ordinary people who want to have fun, be stimulated and explore ways in enjoying life to the fullest whilst learning to help themselves, family or friends will be there. Kids (and adults alike) will have the opportunity to get to know and play with Qi/ Ki and develop a greater sense of themselves, gain self-confidence and esteem and find an inner quiet. It is sure to benefit and uplift all those who attend regardless of their fitness, health or mobility.

There will also be a Tai Chi/ Qigong gathering on Saturday morn at 10am to join in the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day Celebration. Find out more about this world celebration at www.worldtaichiday.org.

You can contact the Qifull Tai Chi and Qigong Network and find out further info about the Australasian Qi/ Chi/ Ki Arts Festival at qifull@yahoo.com.au www.myspace.com/qifullnetwork    
mail: PO Box 846, Ballina, NSW, 2478 or phone: 043 42 300 42

resources coming soon.

Welcome to an article written by Anne de Champlain and Suzanne Rienits. This information is derived from the book -The Way of Qigong by Kenneth Cohen. We have found it helpful to our students to have an overview of the different breathing types, and specifically a process that heightens ones’ awareness of where the breath and where your centre is in different situations. It opens a lot more choices in our life, when we are aware of what is happening inside. Enjoy!

The Four Aspects of Breathing and Breathing Types
Awareness of the breath is a constant feature of both active and passive Qigong. One of the goals of Qigong is to maintain a balance and efficiency of the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide of breathing so that the entire body receives the energy it needs.

Four aspects of breathing:

The first step is important to discover your usual breathing pattern. Check your breathing periodically to see whether your qigong practice is improving your habitual way of breathing. During a period of rest and quiet, try the following self-inquiry.
(Loosen your belt and wear loose comfortable clothes.)

1. How does the breath feel? Does it feel smooth or choppy, deep or shallow, clear or turbid (mucky), light or heavy, quiet or noisy, easy or difficult, healthy or diseased? Focus your attention to the subjective feelings and thoughts evoked by the breath. Images that rise spontaneously to consciousness are important indicators of the quality of the breath and Qi.

2. Where do you breathe? How does the breath enter and leave?
Where does it go to, how deep in the body? Can you feel it moving through the nostrils, down the trachea, in and out of the bronchi and lungs?
Does your breath create movement in your chest, abdomen, back or anywhere else? Can you feel the breath moving in your hands and feet?

3. Which part of the body moves with inhalation and exhalation? Does your chest open or close or move at all with inhalation? Does your abdomen move as you breathe? Place one hand on your chest and one on the abdomen and notice which hand rises or falls in response to inhalation and exhalation. If lying down, does the lower back seem to press into or release from the ground as you breathe? If you place two books, one of the left side of your chest and one on the right, can you find out if the two sides of the body expand and contracts with equal ease? What about the sternum (breastbone)?

4. What is your breathing rate? How many breaths do you take per minute? Measure this while you are calm and meditative.

At least once a week, go through these four steps. Perhaps write down your response in a Qigong Progress Journal. Once you are familiar with this enquiry, do it randomly in different situations or environments and notice what responses you get. As you progress, your next question might be along the lines of, ”What do I want to do with my breath?” and then in a relaxed manner direct your mind, posture and breathe to change your state.

Types of Breathing:

In the following exercises, it is best to breathe only through the nose. The nose contains fine hairs and mucus that help trap and filter out dust, pollutants and germs. Also the mucus membranes contain a rich supply of capillaries and white blood cells which disinfect and destroy bacteria which gets trapped in it. The nose also acts as a humidifier which conditions (warms and humidify) air before it enters the windpipe and lungs.

Nose breathing also encourages meditative awareness.

Natural Breathing: Qigong relies on natural respiration. Natural breathing is also called abdominal or diaphragmatic respiration. While inhaling, the diaphragm muscle contracts and moves downwards, pushing the abdomen out. While exhaling, the diaphragm relaxes upward, the abdomen contracts inward, pushing air out. This is the most natural and efficient way to breathe. Abdominal breathing creates more internal space for the lungs to expand than trying to push the chest out to breathe. Breathing in this way permits a greater exchange of air in the lungs and therefore breathing becomes slow and relaxed. The key to natural respiration is not forcing the breath. As you breathe abdominally try to notice six qualities of the breath: Slow, Long, Deep, fine, Even and Tranquil.

1. Slow: Slow means a slow respiratory rate and unhurried mood.
2. Long: Long means that the breath is a long, steady stream of air.
3. Deep: Deep means that the breath and Qi is sinking low in the body, filling the
lower Dan Tian.
4. Fine: Fine refers to a smooth and quiet breath rather than a course and loud
respiration.
5. Even: Even refers to a feeling of internal balance and equal ease of inhalation
and exhalation. It also implies not favouring any particular part or side of the body.
6. Tranquil: Tranquil refers primarily to a mind focused on present experience,
free of thoughts and worries.

Notice the four stages of the breath: Inhalation, the turning of the breath between inhalation and exhalation, exhalation, the natural pause that occurs during the second turning of the breath between the end of one exhalation and the next inhalation.

Unnatural breathing: Hyperventilating: Hyperventilation is characterized by predominately thoracic (chest) breathing, little use of the diaphragm, irregular or interrupted breathing, a quick respiratory rate and frequent sighing. Hyperventilation is a common symptom of seven major psychosomatic diseases: asthma, hypertension, ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, hyperthyroidism, and neurodermatitis. It is also seen in migraine sufferers, chronic pain of any origin, seizure disorders, heart disease, and among smokers. Although hyperventilation may be a common symptom of disease, it does not necessarily follow that it causes disease. However evidence does suggest that improper breathing can be a precipitating factor in many disorders. Also, that proper breathing can provide a cure.

Reversed Breathing: It is helpful to occasionally practice “reversed breathing” as a way to stimulate the Qi and gain more control over the breathing muscles. Reversed breathing is not dangerous if practiced for brief periods of time but it is dangerous if it becomes your normal breathing method. In reversed breathing, the abdomen contracts during inhalation while the chest cavity expands slightly (ribs opening) and the sternum lift. During exhalation, the abdomen is slightly distended and the chest closes naturally. In both the inhalation and exhalation phases, the breath is deep, soft and silent. The abdomen is moving, though opposite to the fashion of “natural respiration”. In the practice of reversed breathing, the respiration rate should be slow. When reversed breathing is practiced consciously, the lower abdomen feels alive and empowered.
There are three ways to practice reversed breathing:

1. To pay attention to the physical process, as described above. This is very strengthening for the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.
2. The second way is to note the vertical component of reversed breathing. While inhaling, Qi and intent seems to shift to the chest, the middle Dan tian. While exhaling, it seems to shift back to the lower abdomen. Two energy centers are stimulated as well as the solar plexus.
3. The third method is to pay close attention to the horizontal component. In this technique, during inhalation, as the abdomen contracts, imagine the breath being drawn back toward the sacrum. During exhalation, as the abdomen protrudes, the Qi is pushed frontward and backward with each breath. This is one of the most powerful ways of using the breath to stimulate and strengthen the Dan tian, increasing the Dan tian’s ability to pump Qi through the body.

However powerful this exercise can be, it would be a grave mistake to assume that it should become a regular habit. Practice it for three minutes before beginning natural respiration. This frees the diaphragm and abdominal muscles and makes the natural breathing much smoother and deeper.

Differentiated Breathing: By practising both normal and unusual breathing patterns, one becomes conscious of one’s habits and is less likely to return to those which are unpleasurable. Differentiated breathing awakens various states of consciousness and teaches us about the relationship between breath and mind. It is also likely that differentiated breathing is a form of neurological re-education.

Here are some suggestions for the practice of differentiated breathing:
• Can you breathe extra deeply? Begin inhalation by expanding the abdomen; then allow the breath to roll into the upper chest with an expansion of the rib cage. Afterward, let the breath fall away naturally.
• Can you breathe with only the left side of the chest, only the right side?
• Can you concentrate on the lateral expansion of the ribs, on the upward movement of the sternum during inhalation?
• Can you breathe with the back? Is anything happening with the collarbones as you breathe?
• Can you hold your breath comfortably for a brief period of time? While holding your breath, can you alternatively expand the abdomen and chest, moving the breath between the lower and upper lobes of the lungs? How does it feel to sometimes pause the breath during inhalation and exhalation?

Qigong students can playfully experiment with the breath.

Dan Tian Breathing: Dan tian breathing is an extremely beneficial variation of normal breathing. The Dan tian is the energy centre in the abdominal region, about two to three inches below the navel and midway into the centre of the body. The precise location of the Dan tian varies slightly from person to person. Tune into how your body breathes. The Dan tian will be the point or region from which the expansion of the abdomen seems to originate.

While practicing Dan tian breathing, both the lower abdomen and the lower back expand with inhalation, and both retract with exhalation. Most of the movement is still felt in the front of the body, but there is definitely a response in the back.
Dan tian Breathing includes all of the benefits of natural respiration. It makes the mind and body relax, decreases unhealthy reactions to stress, lessens anxiety, allows more efficient gaseous exchange, and massages internal organs. Additionally Dan tian Breathing stimulates the kidneys, the lower spine, and the important acupuncture point, Ming men “the gate of life”. Ming men controls the proper functioning of the kidneys and, when stimulated, increases the body’s overall vitality and energy level. Dan tian Breathing primes the body’s major energetic pump so that Qi can spread more efficiently throughout the body.
It is important never to force the lower back. If the lower back does not move, then just imagine it moving. Eventually the back will begin to respond.

Embryonic Respiration: Embryonic respiration refers to the time when the embryo is in the womb. Breathing is an internal process, air and nutrients being exchanged through the umbilical cord. When an adult practices embryonic respiration he/she feels a return to the womb of the universe, nurtured by the primordial Qi. Embryonic respiration is sometimes called stopping the breath. The breath becomes so slow, easy, and slight that it seems to have stopped. The breath feels as if it is held within; it becomes internal, effortless movement. The abdomen rises and falls. Air enters and leaves spontaneously, the way an infant breathes. The mind is free of thoughts and images. The breath should be so natural that the meditator is no longer aware that he is breathing.
The student can imagine that with each inhalation Qi enters the Dan tian. During exhalation concentrate on the Qi remaining fixed in the Dan tian, creating warmth and light, like a luminous pearl. The continuous influx of universal Qi helps to create a new self, a seed or embryo of wisdom and long life.
Embryonic breathing means to allow the breath to become completely effortless, so that it leads you into a state of blissful stillness and serenity. In this state, you are likely to feel as if you are unified with the cosmos, at one with all of life. One then feels spacious, free of constraints, as though he/she becomes the breath. At the same time there is a feeling of clarity and luminosity. Although embryonic respiration is more a way of being rather than a particular qigong technique, certain procedures can help the student to achieve embryonic respiration more quickly. These include Dan tian Breathing as describe above; a balanced diet; not allowing emotional excesses; circulating the Qi internally; and cultivation of inner silence.

The method of No-Method: We learn various methods of breathing in order to find freedom of the breath, so that the body can adapt in a healthy way to the needs of the moment. Methods are learned in order to unlearn dysfunctional habits and to recover new options, greater freedom of choice for the body. After practicing these qigong techniques, forget them, just let yourself breathe. As you continue training, your daily habits will change naturally, not through force.

Qigong Breathing Methods

Remember also the method of no-method, not controlling the breath, letting nature work without interference.