Namaste to All! I wanted to introduce GaiamTV. which is a new website where you can watch a wide variety of yoga, wellness, fitness, inspirational and so much more! The best part is that you can watch these videos anytime, anywhere. You can use your phone, computer, tv, ipad.If you need a dose of mind, body, spirit you can simply log in and get what you need in the moment! They’ve put together an amazing collection of over 2000 high quality videos. Whether they are live, taped or acquired, they were hand selected based on the positive impact on you and your life!

This offering comes to us from Gaiam, a leading lifestyle media company. The site is a representation of the exceptional and expansive catalogue they have worked so hard to provide for us! They are a trusted resource for some of the best: health, fitness, wellness and spiritual development in the industry.

Catch one of the many yoga classes from short practices to long ones. Log in to practice with top yogis, such as: Rodney Yee, Seane Corne, Shiva Ray, Kathryn Budig, Tommy Rosen, Kia Miller and Suzanne Deason. Gaiam TV also features today’s most influential spiritual teachers, such as: Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama, Wayne Dyer and Jack Canfield.

In addition, they offer expert health information for many conditions from renowned Mayo Clinic™. Here you can find many wellness videos, http://www.gaiamtv.com/category/wellness-center.Don’t forget to check out a collection of uplifting and inspirational films as well as fitness and science videos.There is so much to choose from! There is definitely something for everyone!

Right now, they are offering a 10-day free subscription. Members pay just $9.95 a month for unlimited access. For more details and to check it out; click over to http://www.gaiamtv.com/?v=b

FREE GIVEAWAY!! 1st person to email me at: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.churchill1  wins a FREE  3 MONTH MEMBERSHIP to GAiamTV !

Next, I will be taking some of the classes and sharing some reviews. Let me know if you find any classes you like!

Your Health is Your Wealth. I think more people value and understand the meaning of this statement each day. Unfortunately, as we age it becomes more “work” to keep up with the preventative health maintenance we need to do to keep our bodies strong. There are many types of treatments and tons of herbs, vitamins, supplements you can take to maintain and improve your health. How do we find out what is right for us as individuals?

I have been interested in health & wellness since I was a teenager. Like any other subject you are an expert or want to become proficient in; you read lots, ask questions, discuss and experiment as to what works for you. Of course, this is with caution, and if there is nothing seriously wrong with you.

I find the NewLife Expo an excellent place to concentrate on learning and improving your health and mind, body, spirit wellness. You can spend hours talking to professionals in the industry. People there will have one on one conversations with you or you can listen to lectures to hear various “experts in the their field” opinions, information and strategies which helps other people create a program for themselves. At the expo you can sample a lot of different products, get a massage, foot reflexology, infrared ray treatment, sweat in a sauna, get light treatment, have a reading by a psychic or tarot card reader, eat macrobiotic food, try herbs, juice and get an energy treatment. There are so many different kinds of people who stroll through all in venue. It is totally fun and cool to walk around and get energized!

This was the 4th time I had attended a NewLife Expo. The event is a great excuse to go to New York for the weekend. I enjoy myself each time I attend the expo. The expo is a high energy and interesting representations of the modern spiritual world we live in. Here you will find all walks of life who know something about alternative health and wellness. Most people who attend are open and easy to talk to and it is great to hear of their knowledge, attitude and approach they take to getting healthier, developing their spirituality and taking care of themselves.

So, I must be called a “NewLifer” by now. The next expo is in June, 6/11-6/13, which features yoga and raw food. Maybe you will check it out yourself.

Awaken your Brain is a new book on the scientific experience of awakening by Dr. Skolnick. Dr. Skolnick is an MD psychiatrist, PhD in Natural Health, with advanced training in Neuropsychology and almost 30 years as a Zen meditation practitioner.

What is awakening has been the discussion of so many conversations; the number is almost as limitless as the concept. Basically, awakening is opening your consciousness to connect to your true and higher self. This realization is one of the goals for spiritual practices, yoga or other ways to find happiness and peace in your life.

Awakening is the impetus for Totally Zen; so, it seems appropriate that Dr. Skolnick would reach out to others in the world who are actively working on sharing information about how to be healthy in our mind, body and spirit. Out of his efforts to join together to build and create wellness communities; I am honored to help him by presenting it here at Totally Zen. Awaken Your Brain is a powerful, useful and informative book.

In Awaken Your Brain, Dr. Skolnick uses a brain and wellness-based explanation and practices, to create a direct non-emotional, scientific approach to awakening your higher self. The advantage to his method it is non-emotional and rational. Meaning you can empirically see how what he is saying and teaching is valid, concrete and useful. Taking the emotions out of the process is like shaving years off the process in order to cut through the ways in which your ego has learned to interact and act with life.

I got the opportunity to speak with Dr. Skolnick I asked him how he got involved in Zen meditation. It seems he had a tragedy affect his life and Zen meditation was a path someone led him to that helped him through his rough times. As time went on he continued his journey to understand his own meditation practice which coincided with his formal studies of the brain and human behavior. His interest in psychology began early on in his life through exposure to caring for others with problems.

Through his education in graduate school he posed the question in a thesis, What Creates Awareness? The answer became the basis for the book Awaken Your Brain. He has been developing and honing his model to help you through the awakening process in a scientific based theory of Neural Inshifting. This is actually a 5 step brain skill model. The result was the creation of a full-spectrum model of how the mind and brain work -from the most primitive and abnormal states to the highest most Awakened states.

Furthering his vision he realized he needed a model to speak and teach his theory from and this book is the perfect platform. Soon he will, turn his attention into opening a wellness center, Santori West, where his model will be implemented in a teaching format that will help people transform their lives. At the center you will be able to learn how to apply this theory, keep it alive and working better in your own lives and continue to grow and change as a result of this training. As the launch of his book arrives he must be so pleased as to the results of all his hard work; I know I am really enjoying the book!

We will be watching and reporting on his progress as we are connected now and we feel his vision is golden. Learn more about the useful handbook and amazing masterpiece now and how you can use Awaken Your Brain: Coming Alive to Vibrant Well-being and a New Reality will teach you:

• The goal around which all other goals ought to be organized.
• The cure for self-induced mental illness, i.e., true mental health!
• How to find the highest level of wellbeing- a natural high!
• How to find the higher You, released to be spontaneous and authentically real!
• An immediate experience of profound meaning.
• The vehicle for success with values and purpose!
• The path to encompassing compassion, connection and belonging.
• How to marvel at your existence – amazed and fascinated each moment by that very fact (taken utterly for granted)!
• And more…

Awakening (aka enlightenment, heaven within, nirvana, cosmic consciousness) is not the stuff of myths or for religious zealots spending a lifetime in hard labor!!!! In Awaken Your Brain you will learn that it is the result of a well-trained higher brain and therefore a highly developed human being…which can be YOU!
You will learn how to Inshift- a 5-step skill that activates your higher brain (….and keeps your lower brain from being the cause of all – yes all – of your unhappiness, fear, frustration, suffering and disappointment, etc. – as well as most physical illnesses!!!!!)

You will learn dozens of wellness strategies (from within physical, mental, social, cultural, moral and traditionally spiritual realms) that are all aimed and aligned to activate your higher brain.

Warning: This is not “wellness and spirituality for dummies.” But it is the most important journey you can learn- a blueprint to the most fulfilling life you were born to have!

**Please consider adding Awaken Your Brain to your library The book will benefit you and those around you; for as you begin to clarify yourself and your life and health blossoms everyone will be able to see the difference. You can find it here: Awaken Your Brain: Coming Alive to Vibrant Well-Being and a New Reality by clicking here: Amazon.com.

Our spine is the axis in which our body is supported between heaven and Earth. It allows us the mobility and freedom to move and express ourselves. Our arms and legs extend from this beautiful stack of vertebrae that are tenderly placed one on top of the other. The spine is a work of art and sheer mechanics at the same time.

Keeping the spine supple, maintaining its alignment and its straight form to live actively and pain-free are great goals. They may require a bit of effort but the benefits far outweigh the costs. Stiff spines will loosen over time!

When we perform spinal twists we are releasing trapped energy along the spinal column. After we have twisted to engage the body/back, we breathe to clear the old energy out. Think of collecting the old energy with the movement and releasing it with the breath. Instantaneously you feel more open and at ease. Like wringing out a wet towel.

Check with your doctor first. Move with total awareness of the area you are engaging and stop if there is sharp pain.

Being mindful and connected to the area you are engaging is the objective of any yoga posture or practice.

The benefits of spinal twists are immense:
• Increased flexibility
• Increased circulation
• Increased energy
• Digestion
• Strengthen the muscles through breath and repetition.

When our spine is not healthy we may not be able to feel comfortable or able to move with ease. We can slowly improve the spine with conscious spinal twists and lessen back pain or discomfort.

Qigong Spinal Twists:

Try standing feet hip width distance apart take your arms with fists or simple palms for your hand positions.

Begin with moving the right arm in front, left in back as you twist from your foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, neck to the back. The head follows the twist from side to side.

Breath in as palms swing open through middle and out as they collapse on each side.

This should allow for the body to warm slowly and feel wonderful.

In yoga, there are several ways to twist your spine. In seated, or lotus position, on your back.

Spinal Twists on your Back:

First we align the body, legs straight out of hips, and arms straight out of shoulders. Then we lift our left knee into chest use right arm to pull knee in & gently twist right. Close your eyes, relax. Hold & Breath 9 deep breaths into the spine back & hips.

Use the opposite body parts in same order to twist left to open right side.

Once you have twisted to engage the body/back, we send breath to clear the old energy out moving the breath up and down the side of the body that is open.

Spinal Twists in Lotus Position:

In seated yoga, beginning in lotus position, we have our sit bones planted into the Earth. Using the dimes you sit on every day you draw them down to ground you.

Sitting tall we align the spine and shoulders.When you twist left you place your right hand on your left knee and your left hand on your right hip.

Breath in to center, breathe out as you twist. Hold and flow the breath through the posture.

Use opposite structure for right side.

We have a relaxing and fun ways to twist the spine out. This will increase our flexibility and relaxation at the same time. Try to incorporate more spinal twists into your week!

Balance              Letting Go            Living in the Present            Breathing              Focus              Peace

Happiness               Relaxation                         Energy                    Strength           Flexibility

These are invaluable tools, let’s call them assets that some people, even the most rich and famous, may or may not ever receive or find in their lifetime. If you practice yoga long enough you will be able to access these assets on your own.

It is really disturbing to think about the lack of sanity, music produced, performances and his tumultuous lifestyle in the last 15 years because Michael Jackson was one of the greatest talents. Hearing him sing the old classics were like heaven & earth syncing and riding on the high-speed train to ecstasy. You could dance and sing to his songs anywhere, anytime. His voice, music and movement were seamless, effervescent and full of magic! Not many people on this earth are blessed with as much talent as he was so fortunate to have bestowed upon him.

That being said, what makes a life peaceful and fulfilling possible? We are not able to choose our family or life circumstances as we enter this life. Many times we never transcend them for the sake of ourselves.

Feeling trapped, burdened, uncomfortable, unstable, angry, jealous, hurt, fearful, anxious, overwhelmed as a result of what we experienced that was so traumatic that we may never escape or overcame the circumstances that we felt were beyond our control.

I am living proof that yoga can empower such a change. It was so hard in the beginning and never a day goes by I am not reminded some way of my painful past that haunts me. In every way, I am, like everybody else, the person I am today because of what happened in my past. You cannot help that. In fact, if you do not make peace with it and let it go; it can destroy you. In Michael Jackson’s case I believe this happened to him. He was a victim of his own life and legacy. Not able to move beyond what occurred in his youth or what became of his life as an adult. He was not able to take control, to dig deeper, to rise above, to get the right help, to reach out, to make changes he needed to survive his own life and even find peace and happiness.

What devastation for anybody to feel and live in and especially when you are so talented and have so many opportunities. In many ways famous people serve as an example for those of us who live in a different fashion but carry the same light.

Yoga has been my salvation and the catalyst to change, growth and evolution of my being. Yoga is a healing art. Yoga has the ability to help you heal your mind, body and spirit. The benefits of yoga continue to exceed any other activity I have ever experienced in life.

It is a powerful tool to incorporate into your life to become more whole, free and in tune with yourself and the world.

Today, we send out a big Aum, a vibration of peace and harmony in honor of Michael Jackson and all those that suffer and hope that they find a way to serve their soul so that they may prosper in happiness, health and spirit.

FIND YOGA, FIND PEACE.

*The Recording Academy — the people behind The Grammys: “Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide claim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael’s career transcends musical and cultural genres, and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news, and our hearts go out to his family and to music lovers around the globe who mourn this great loss.”-Neil Portnow, CEO/President, The Recording Academy

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/how-do-michael-jackson-and-yoga-relate.html/feed 9 http://www.totallyzen.com/live-raw-foods-yoga-in-nyc-everyday.html http://www.totallyzen.com/live-raw-foods-yoga-in-nyc-everyday.html#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:47:05 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=418 Continue reading →]]>

Two weeks ago I went up to New York City and attended the Yoga and Raw Food Expo by New Life. It was a good opportunity for me to further my knowledge of why we should eat raw foods and living foods. Also, I got to take a few yoga classes. I do have to say once in a while, it is nice to practice and learn yoga without having to teach.

Anyway, I do my best at eating healthy all the time. It is no doubt different for each person how natural and how much raw or organic food they eat on the path of healthy eating in their own lives. For me it has been a process of getting healthier and making better choices gradually. I did not notice the changes at first; but, after you adopt these choices as a constant and they become part of your life style the benefits of eating this way are undeniably received by each person.

The Benefits of Eating Raw/ Organic/Live Foods can be:

• Feel Lighter
• Having More Energy
• Feel Better
• Heal the Body
• Boost the Immune System
• More in sync with the Environment
• Create a Connection to the body so that it speaks to you about what type of foods it needs.

It is hard to eat organic or even fresh food for a lot of people. It is another task to fulfill in your weekly chores. To eat fresh food weekly might send you to the store 1-3 times a week. Some people can’t find the time, the resources of money or choices to get to the “right” food choices. I often find eating organic hard and expensive. I would like to increase the percentage of organic food I eat daily. I probably eat 30-50% organic on a weekly basis. I do better when I visit local farmer’s markets. Although there are a lot of them around Philadelphia I still can’t seem to make a lot of them regularly. So, I sympathize with everyone’s hardship on the path of organic, raw, healthy food eating and realize there is no other solution other than to “just do it.”

Raw foodies tend to eat 75-100% of their food uncooked, un-processed and organic. Most are total vegans and others are raw vegetarians (meaning they can eat a portion of fish, eggs and dairy).

Eating food in their original, un-heated state means the food is raw and alive. Live foods contain a wide range of vital life foce nutrients in them. Live foods provide: live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, oxygen and amino acids. All of these properties are ones that the body needs for the proper maintenance of human bodily functions.

It is definitely recommended you research the foods you would like to consume for nutritional content and food sensitivities. It is NOT recommended to completely “go raw” at one time and it IS recommended to go see a nutritionist or teacher that will help you transition safely and healthily.

While I was at the Expo I went to a lecture with Brenda Cobbs of the Living Foods Institute. In 1999 Brenda was diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer. She healed herself without radiation, chemotherapy or surgery and now dedicates her life to helping others. She spoke about how right mental thinking, emotional healing and to nourish the body at a deep cellular level, reverse aging and detoxify the body through organic, raw foods.

Hopefully, you will encourage and challenge yourself to incorporate more live, organic foods in your daily diet and feel the many benefits of a rich, diverse, fresh plant- based diet. I am with you though; it takes effort!

Here is a Juicing Recipe:

1 Large Mango
1 Ripe Banana
4 Strawberries
2 Tbspn Flaxseed
2 Tbspn Coconot Shavings or Coconut Milk
6 Ice Cubes
1 Cup of Milk or Water

Serves 2

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/live-raw-foods-yoga-in-nyc-everyday.html/feed 1 http://www.totallyzen.com/newlife-expo-in-new-york-city-provides-a-great-service-to-its-people.html http://www.totallyzen.com/newlife-expo-in-new-york-city-provides-a-great-service-to-its-people.html#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:47:18 +0000 Stephanie http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=386 Continue reading →]]>

I attended and exhibited at the NewLife Expo in New York City recently. My experience the entire weekend has left an impression of spirit, warmth and energy in my heart and soul. There were thousands of people visiting the expo and having the opportunity to tune up their mind, body or spirit. There was an array of some very lovely, gifted, hard working: body workers, healers, psychics, nutritionists, energy healers, masters, minister, priestess and many I did not get a chance to discover this time at the expo.

Newlife Magazine and Expos must be the natural evolution to Mark Becker’s Yoga practice and studio. He founded Serenity Natural Healing Center in 1975. This was New York’s first non- religious yoga studio. I don’t know him personally but he seems to have realized his vision of providing wellness, spirituality, health and alternative medicine and healing opportunities to both the patrons of such modules and the providers of these expertise, over and over again. I saw many people working together with others to ensure they felt understood, engaged and treated as, and to, the best all weekend long.

I met some very interesting people and healers. Su Jok Therapy fascinated me; Su Jok is a Korean acupuncture form. Joad Puttermilech was there personally and gave me a powerful treatment, http://www.smilesujok.com/?lat=en. Carla Tara, http://www.carlatara.com/, impressed me as an accomplished tantric healer was a fiery yet feminine yogi and tantric counselor. Also, fun and sincere didgeridoo players and healers, Tyler Sussman and AJ Block also gave me a treatment, http://didgeproject.com/. I met Sufi, a holy man from Indiana who recently came to Philadelphia to open a Sufi school. We have become friends and will collaborate together to bring information and light to those in our sphere. Check back later this week to find a blog post by Sufi, www.toubacafe.com.

I saw so many people who looked satisfied and enlightened by the experience it definitely made a positive impact on me. I felt the energy in the hotel as you approach and walking around the show you can see the energy being created first hand. It is amazing how you can feel the energy build and fill you up simply from physically being present in this shared space. NewLife Expo succeeded in transforming a regular hotel into a wellness pyramid.

There were definitely a multitude of wellness options for those that are familiar with healing or who want to discover the beauty of taking better care of your self in mind, body and spirit!

Look for the next show Yoga and Raw Expo in May 29th -31st, Hotel New Yorker. Totally Zen will be out and about taking in all the health food and yoga information and participating in all the breathing and feasting we can get to in three short days.                                      

http://www.newlifeexpo.com/

http://www.serenityyoga.net/aboutmark.php

]]> http://www.totallyzen.com/newlife-expo-in-new-york-city-provides-a-great-service-to-its-people.html/feed 0 http://www.totallyzen.com/celebrate-st-pattys-by-going-green.html http://www.totallyzen.com/celebrate-st-pattys-by-going-green.html#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:39:30 +0000 Maura Manzo http://www.totallyzen.com/?p=375 Continue reading →]]>

AHh, so it is, another year, another St. Patty’s Day. More green beer, more “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirts, more Irish potatoes. What’s interesting , though, is that you would think we have been celebrating St Patty’s the entire last year as we have seen more “Go Green!” advertisements and products than ever.

With all this talking of going green, though, I think its time to approach the situation from a different angle. While I agree it is very important that we all start considering the impact our lifestyles, products and wastes are having on the environment, I will acknowledge that it can be a daunting task to undertake. Eco-friendly cleaning products and other household items can be expensive, especially during these financial times when there’s not a lot of green ($) to go around.

But rest assured because there is something a little easier to do. And that is to go green within our own personal environments, our own internal rainforests – our bodies! As the number one food missing in the modern diet, greens can clean and detoxify our systems like no other foods. This powerhouse food group is essential to health and liveliness – just think about it. The color green represents health, vitality and wealth. When viewed from space, one of our planet’s main colors is green. And as we approach spring, green landscapes will soon surround us.

So why go green? Well, there is enough information about the health benefits of greens to fill entire bookshelves, so I will just highlight a few items:

•       Detoxify your system Greens work to strengthen and tonify your liver – an essential organ for filtering and removing wastes and toxins from the body. Not only will you clean out your system, but you will also boost your immune system and purify your blood.  The best season for greens is the spring, when all the vegetation comes back to life and weeds grow like, well, weeds. Leafy greens work with your body’s natural cycles to help remove the excess fat and heaviness from the foods we ate all winter that keep us warm and grounded.
•       Strong bones Certain greens like dandelion, beet greens, kale and watercress contain amounts of calcium comparable to dairy products – without the added calories and fat. Greens also supply the body with significant amounts of magnesium, a mineral we are increasingly deficient in. Furthermore, your body can not absorb calcium without magnesium, making greens essential for healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis.
•       Cancer Prevention Green vegetables, especially dark leafy greens, are nutritionally dense and full of antioxidants.  Free radicals (aka the bad guys) are unstable, cancer-promoting molecules. Antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E are found in high amounts in leafy greens and help to rid the body of free radicals. Greens are also very high in iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, folic acid, fiber and chlorophyll. Just talking about them makes you feel better already, right?
•       Environmental Impact More water and waste management goes into growing a pound of beef than you can imagine. Eating fruits and vegetables produces much less waste, helps conserve energy

So, find your pot of gold and lucky four-leaf clover in the produce section of your grocery store or, even better, visit a local farm for local greens to spring you into the warmer months. Now is the time of year when greens are in season, so that means they will also taste the best! Experiment with greens you never heard of, use fresh herbs in soups and sauces and find ways to add more green to your life. You’ll feel better and look better. And, no, you won’t turn green.

Maura Manzo is a holistic health counselor and manager of RYAH Yoga and Health. She sees clients individually, teaches nutrition classes and presents workshops on a variety of topics. For more information or if you need help with incorporating a healthy diet into your lifestyle, visit www.mauramanzo.com or www.ryahyoga.com

Either to garner some interest and enthusiasm to begin or to remain committed to a practice of Qigong; we should know how many ways we are improving our lives by practicing Qigong.

Sometimes instantaneously or after a period of time you can feel the tingling, heat or vibration in your palms. Eventually your internal self will feel warmer. Your three tan tiens, or energy centers, will feel more vibration when you do your energy work, which strengthens the energy at each center. Your root will heat up because you are cultivating energy there as well.

Other Types of Improvements found as a Benefit from Practicing Qigong:

Increased Health and Vitality-
Reduces blood pressure, resting heart rate, and cholesterol levels.
Improves vision and hearing, bone density, digestion, arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Improves immune system with regular practice you can relieve or cure allergies, asthma, senility, chronic fatigue and more.

Chronic Pain- can be managed with practice. Through visualization and mind/body control you can reduce or eliminate pain.

Better Circulation- with the practice of regular breathing you increase the oxygen within the body. Then through movement and focused intention you move this energy throughout your body.

Builds Moral Character- by creating virtue and wisdom.

Spiritual Development- evolves by clearing your mental state and nourishing your intuition. As the focus turns inward you can begin to
see the interconnectedness of all things and beings.

Oneness with the Universe- is developed by removing all the obstacles and thoughts to develop Universal intention and energy during your practice.

Inner Peace- is established by the peace and calmness you feel in your practice. Happiness, gratitude, compassion can be truly experienced.

Stress Reliever- by decreasing your stress response. Helps obsessive-compulsive behavior, depression, anxiety and Type A personalities.

Increased Intelligence- by integrating different states of consciousness and developing more awareness.

Develops Discipline- by practicing anything on a regular basis you create discipline.

Improves- coordination, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility.

Builds Self-Esteem and Self Confidence-by allowing you to feel good and comfortable in your own skin.

Qigong is one of the fastest , most effective forms of health maintenance and therapy. It will enrich your life in many different facets of life and living. 

The Development of Qi is a building block for your longevity. Taking care of yourself is a lifelong process. If you are “doing all the right things for our health”; are you engaging in energy work? We can create so much more vitality to our life force by practicing Qi Gong on a weekly basis. It is like taking your vitamins or eating your vegetables – performing your Qi Gong exercises will add strength, health and longevity.

That being said, the Development of Qi takes as much time as you give it. Almost immediately one can feel the connection to your energy or Qi once you start practicing a Qigong form.

The energy you cultivate can be different as the intention of the specific form you partake in has a slightly different meaning. Health practitioners use Medical Qigong to diagnose and cure disease in their patients Buddhist use Qigong as an avenue to reach higher consciousness. Taoist Qigong emphasizes the cultivation and development of QI for the release of stress, warding off old age and moral excellence. Martial Arts Qigong can be used to protect the body from the attacks sustained by fighting and bring the shen to the strikes to make them most powerful.

Whatever your purpose for developing Qi you should know it is like another other skill you obtain. It gets better, stronger, and more intense as you continue to practice it. A person can move from: “feeling connected” to their QI: occasionally, to more frequently, to consistently, to feeling the presence of this energy even when you are not practicing, to having others notice and feel this energy. The spiritual effect of this practice continues to build as you further your practice in time.

QiGong exercises increase your ability to: focus, control, and emit your body’s energy. The energy manifests as a physical entity as you begin to notice the tingling, burning, slight heaviness of the energy that you connect, strengthen and move within and around your body or that of others. Once the physical presence of your energy arises it is hard to stop practicing because you know there is a real result.

Years of practice will raise your vibration as a direct result of raising your energy level. The energy or chi you are developing is white light, breath energy. It is the universal energy that everything and everyone is made up of. Continue to practice this exercise form to establish a direct connection to the source.

Qigong is an amazing gift. It is a non-biased way of becoming one with yourself, others, your environment and the higher power. Begin to enhance your mind, body and spirit with Qigong!