Whilst it might be new to you, Qigong is NOT a new form of physical movement… Our Physiotherapist and Qigong instructor Dr. Ben Gaffney explains:
I have been a Yoga Australia Registered Level 1 teacher since 2003 and taught classes that combined Yoga, Qigong, and Pilates since 2006. From 2003 to 2005 I studied a Master of Physiotherapy Studies program and have been a practising physiotherapist ever since. In 2011 I decided to deepen my practice by learning from senior lineage holding teachers from the Chinese internal healing traditions. One is a dedicated Taijiquan (Tai Chi) teacher, Wee Kee Jin. The other is Zhen Hua Yang who comes from a 400 year old family lineage based in the Eastern foothills of the Tibetan Plateau. He teaches what he calls “Calligraphy Health”, “Calligraphy Yoga”, “Calligraphy Qigong”, or “Yangmian System”. Two of his teachers are over 100 years old and practice Taoist internal healing techniques developed in antiquity. I have undertaken several hundred hours of teacher training over the last three years to become qualified to teach these techniques. I have found they can be utilized in Yoga, Taijiquan, Pilates, Athletics, Disco Dancing, and life in general with excellent results.
What does your session involve? My sessions involve movements and internal relaxation techniques used in the traditional Chinese body technologies of Qigong and Taijiquan (Tai Chi). These techniques have been taught to me by Zhen Hua Yang and Wee Kee Jin. Both teachers are accomplished “internal” martial artists as well as internal healing artists. My sessions also involve some elements of Physiotherapy informed Pilates and Hatha Yoga.
Ben’s Favourite pose/movement: Loosening exercise no.1 – This movement sequence comes from the teacher Wee Kee Jin and involves a gentle twisting movement where the spine stays long straight and vertical. The trunk and hips stay maximally relaxed and the knees bend without twisting. The thighs alternately load according to the direction of the twist. It feels like a thigh workout that is thoroughly relaxing for the hips, lower back, neck, and shoulders. It feels like “energy” is circulating through the body without being blocked by tension.
Thoughts on healthy living and integrating with a holistic centre:
I really enjoy working in multidisciplinary holistic health team. I find that I learn something new every day from the professionals in the various disciplines and I have seen first-hand the benefits of the integrated approach in the wellbeing of clients. I also like being able to refer clients to the other professionals because I know and trust them.
Who would like your sessions? Anyone with a desire to enhance their health and wellbeing and anyone with an interest in authentic traditional healing arts.
Why would they like your sessions? People report feeling a freedom from tension in their body they didn’t know was possible along with a sense of mental calm and enhanced functional ability and vitality.
What do they gain from attending your sessions? Health, wellbeing, mental calm, and enhanced functional ability.