What is Qigong, Chi Gong or is it Chi Kung?

Qigong, Chi Gong or is it Chi Kung?
Different spellings, same meaning. It’s pronounced ‘chee goong’ meaning ‘training the breath’, or ‘cultivating the Vital energy’ (Qi). ‘Qigong’ is the official Chinese westernised spelling (pin yin) of this Ancient Chinese health promoting practice(s).

What can it do for me?
Qigong can strengthen your health, prevent and treat disease and cultivate wellbeing and longevity. It can also build up stamina and energy whilst calming the mind. It requires no equipment and you can practise it anytime, anywhere –lying, sitting, standing or walking.

There are hundreds of styles of Qigong, so there is a self-healing exercise and technique to be found to suit every age and all levels of fitness or for treating ill health. So, whether you’re a top athlete, Ms/Mr Average, bedridden, or in your early or later years of life, there are specific Qigong techniques for you.

Common benefits that occur when practising Qigong regularly are: Having more energy, Maintaining better health, Improving posture and breath control, Feeling lighter, happier and less stressed, Being confident, Cultivating a clear, calm mind and strong body, Finding and staying in your Centre, Making decisions with greater clarity and wisdom, Increasing productivity and Being in tune with others.

How is it done?
It is an art that combines aerobic conditioning, meditation and relaxation, without extreme physical exertion. If you’ve seen people practising Tai Chi (slow, calm, gentle and circular movements), you know what some Qigong will look like when observed. Tai Chi can be practised as one of Qigong’s moving forms. All Qigong styles are based on common principles of balance, relaxation, healthy breathing and good posture. This wholistic practise includes healing postures, movement, self massage, breathing and meditation techniques which can be practised in standing, sitting and lying down positions.

Qigong techniques can be divided into dynamic/ active and tranquil/ passive forms. Dynamic is obvious in movement, yet it conceals that internally the mind is quiet, peaceful and at rest. Tranquil Qigong is where the entire body is still yet the breath is moving and the mind is alert actively directing and watching the Qi (life energy).

What does it feel like?
“I feel energised AND calm” in a surprised tone is a common expression from new Qigong participants.

What participants have to say
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It’s so refreshing to feel centered and calm at last. It definitely is making a difference on how I am handling the pressure at work, and I’m enjoying my home life more.- Chris

Qigong really improved my health and wellbeing in noticeable ways, almost as soon as I started practising. Suzanne really helped me with posture and the way I used my body. - Vicki R

If you are needing uplifting, releasing stress, better breathing, letting go of tensions and having wellbeing, I recommend phoning Suzanne and just DO IT! - (‘Uplift’ Qigong student)

There was great value in matching specific practices to specific conditions happening in my body. I have more ease in my health and more awareness especially in my posture.- Vicki (Personal Qigong training)

With a few simple techniques I feel I can cope with anything! – Dena

I enjoyed my Qigong sessions with Suzanne as she is very patient and experienced with a good dose of humour thrown in. Plus the sessions had a very noticeable beneficial effect straight away. - Gwen (Personal Qigong training)

It was great to learn new ways of moving and feeling energy in my body. The pace of activities was good, and the explanation about them and what was happening was very helpful. - Peter

Excellent program and level for those needing a gentle form of exercise to begin getting the body back on track again...especially if there are medical issues involved. Subtle but beneficial changes felt and ongoing improvement noted! Thank you. - RG

It has made a big difference to my health and wellbeing. My relationship with my daughter has improved. Thank you for an inspiring and enjoyable class. - ('Uplift' Qigong program participant)

Thank you, You make it all simple yet thorough. This has changed my life! - ('Energise' Qigong student)

It is a very powerful but subtle experience of the self and its energies. A good way to get to know oneself more. – GJ

I feel a journey starting… ('Uplift' Qigong student)

Qigong Classes and Workshops

   Renew and Energise

           Feel Calm, Have Ease, Energy and Comfort

                      in your Body and Mind.

• What is Qigong, Chi Gong or is it Chi Kung?
• Qigong and Tai Chi Classes
• Current Classes
• Workshops and Trainings
• Personal Qigong Training
• What participants have to say

Qigong and Tai Chi Classes
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Regular Classes suitable for both Beginners and Experienced practitioners are held in Bangalow and Lennox Head in Far Northern New South Wales, Australia. Seminars and week-end workshops, along with Retreats are available in different locations. You can view the Retreats and News & Resources pages for upcoming events.

Currently there are a number of differently focused sets of Qigong programs and also individual tuition being offered by Suzanne Rienits.

Programs of ‘Uplift’, ‘Centred’, ‘Energise’, 'Stillness in Movement', 'Introduction to Qigong'/ Saturday arvo Qigong along with Shibashi (18 exercises) run throughout the year. They enable you to learn basic principles used throughout all Qigong practice styles along with a specific set theme. Continuation and development of your practice can be done through subsequent programs and also private practice groups.

Your tutor
Since 1980, Suzanne has been studying, practising and teaching Bodywork / Massage Therapies, Acupuncture, Chinese & Natural Medicine, and Lifestyle & Stress management.

In 1989, she travelled to China for post-graduate studies in Chinese Medicine and through a series of fortunate events found herself studying at the Guangzhou Qigong Atheletic Therapy Research Centre. She studied many Qigong forms with emphasis on Wujishi with Masters Fang Naili, Liang Jiansheng and Zhang Dexiang.

Over the years, Suzanne has explored a large range of different practices and in recent years she has enjoyed being influenced by Bisong Guo.

History of Teaching
From 1987 to 2004 Suzanne has been a Founder, Director and Principal of The Way College of Oriental Therapies & Bodywork, The Way School of Massage Therapies and Place of Healing / Place of Learning in Lismore and Byron Bay. She has written, taught and supervised in modules such as: Tuina (Chinese massage), Acupressure, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Theory and Diagnostic modules, Meridians, Experiential Body Awareness, Lifestyle and Stress Management, Qigong, Chinese Dietary Therapy, Women’s Health Bodywork and studies in Bodymind.

Prior to this she taught classes in Dance, Conditioning and Creative Vegetarian Cooking.

Current Classes - Term 3 – from 16 July 2010
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Becoming Flexible Qigong – Bangalow class
This 3 and/or 6 week course brings Qigong forms that focus on releasing stuck-ness in the physical body especially in the lower limbs and back. Many changes to the upper body also occur as you develop better posture and breathing. This terms classes are wonderful for those of you who want to resolve that area of restriction or niggling discomfort whilst also learning/ practising new Qigong exercises for improved wellness. Become fluid in your walk, flexible in your joints and comfortable in your body.

3 and 8 week course starts Friday 16 July, 10 - 11.30am, Yogalates studio, Bangalow. Bookings essential. Fee: 3 week - $45, then $15 per class or 6 week - $80

Release tension Qigong – Lennox Head
Held over 3 and /or 6 weeks, these evening classes include passive and meditative methods that release tension, detoxify, regulate and tonify the Qi.  Optimum for the end of the work day, to relax, re-charge and be revitalized.

3 and 6 week course starts Wednesday 21 July, 5.45 – 7pm, Lennox Head. Bookings essential. Fee: 3 week - $37.50, then $12.50 per class or 6 week - $60

Term 4 – from 15 October 2010

Shibashi  - Bangalow class 
The flowing sequence of Shibashi, which is unpoetically translated as ‘18 exercises’ will be offered this term. This is a wonderful Tai Chi/Qigong form to really get the whole body moving, to become relaxed, energised and calm and still improve flexibility and strength in the body. It’s fun and you’ll find one movement (repeated) flows easily into the next. A great ‘learning to relax your body’ workout to ease tension and discomfort from your neck, back, shoulders, arms and legs.

This class will also cover posture, breathing and mind focus, which are the fundamentals of all Qigong forms as well as standing, sitting, lying down meditative Qigong forms and walking. Some sequences of Lian Gong that will focus on particular body areas will also be introduced.

Please note, for those of you who currently are unable to get around easily and want to participate in this class, most of these exercises can be adapted to your physical capabilities eg by the use of chairs. Please discuss this before enrolling for the class if you have concerns.

3 and 8 week course starts Friday 15th October, 10 -11.30am, Yogalates studio, Bangalow. Bookings essential. Fee: 3 week - $45, then $15 per class or 8 week - $100

Release tension Qigong – Lennox Head
Held over 3 and /or 8 weeks, these evening classes include passive and meditative methods that release tension, detoxify, regulate and tonify the Qi.  Optimum for the end of the work day, to relax, re-charge and be revitalized.

3 and 8 week course starts Wednesday 20 October, 5.45 – 7pm, Lennox Head. Bookings essential. Fee: 3 week - $37.50, then $12.50 per class or 8 week - $80  

Dynamic Qigong – Lennox Head
These Qigong Dao Yin exercises are challenging in flexibility and increase strength and stamina not only of the body, but of the mind. Feel your physical and mental/ emotional health become balanced and resilient to everyday strains/ stresses. A reasonable amount of flexibility/ fitness is a pre-requisite for these forms offered in this group class. Personal tuition can be undertaken for those wanting to increase their fitness and focus before undertaking this group class.
Day and morning time to be announced.

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Workshops and Training

Balancing your Emotions with Qigong
Bangalow Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June With Suzanne Rienits

In Chinese Medicine and Qigong theory, emotions can be viewed as Qi /Chi (vital energy) moving in different directions or becoming stagnant. 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, lack of confidence and loss of joy. Discover how different emotions affect the functioning of your organs, immune system and tensions that are held in your body.

Suitable for beginners and also those experienced with Qigong practices. It can also be an enrichment study for health professionals with an interest in keeping themselves emotionally resilient, building stress hardiness and to be able to renew vitality through their work day.

Friday 18, 6.30–8.30/9pm & Saturday 19 June, 10am–4.30/5pm.    
Yogalates studio, Bangalow. Bookings essential.
Fee: $110,  Previous participants of this workshop refresher fee - $95.

Better Posture and Breath for Meditation,
Prayer and Stillness practices
Bangalow, Saturday 14 August, 10am-4.30/5pm
with Suzanne Rienits

Optimising your practise posture can significantly improve your particular practice and how you feel during and after it. This will also relax and deepen your breathing, calm and focus your mind.

No matter what your Meditation or Stillness practice is, this workshop takes you through simple techniques that will make immediate changes to deepen your practice.

 This workshop will include:

1. Fundamental Principles of correct body alignment for sitting (floor and chair), lying, standing and walking meditation postures.
2. Practising posture principles to bring effective biomechanical alignment.
3. Awareness techniques that allow you to recognise your common body usage holding patterns and how and where you store tension in your body.
4. Discovering ways to release the tension to flow and move it out of the body.
5. Techniques to cleanse the physical body of clogged energy and tension.
6. Increased awareness of your breath. Methods that can lead you to dissolve stuckness and feel your whole body breathing as one.
7. Spinal warm-ups and stretches from sitting, standing and lying positions.
8. Shoulder girdle release.
9. Releasing of the Kwa (muscles that connect the legs to the spine), and exercises to stretch the Kwa.
10. Scanning of your physical, energetic, emotional and mental bodies.
11. Methods to open up the energy channels in the body to make you physically stronger and energetically stable. This in turn can reduce distraction of the mind.

A must for the experienced meditator and anyone who wants to make it easier to meditate/pray/be still and enjoy a relaxed pain and stiffness-free bodymind  experience.

Saturday 14 August, 10am – 4.30/5pm.
Yogalates studio, Bangalow. Bookings essential.
Fee: $90

Qigong Healing Techniques  - October ‘10
Stay tuned, training information and dates will be confirmed soon

January 2011 – Qigong training, Launceston, Tasmania
Stay tuned, training information and dates will be confirmed soon.

Personal Qigong Training
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Take the opportunity to focus on your individual condition and needs. A selection of Qigong exercise and forms that are appropriate to where you are now, including specific posture adjustment/alignment and breath are explored. Personal tuition or small groups of up to 3 people are available in Lennox Head.

3, 5 and 9 program session packages are available.

This commitment provides clarity and flexibility on what the class contains and when and how frequent the classes are. For example you may prefer that there be three classes in a week, Once a week for three weeks or every fortnight. Times are by negotiation, and the first class is 1 ¼ hours, subsequent classes are 1 hour each.

Notes are included to help and encourage the daily practise of the Qigong learnt

Full payment is required at the beginning of the first session.

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