Move the Body Quiet the Mind

Welcome to Mind Body Movement with Christine, connecting the mind to the body through tai chi, qigong and mindfulness.

Explore the concepts of ease, stillness, purpose and the deep awareness of mind and body. Tai chi and qigong are low impact movements which can improve physical health, balance, coordination and flexibility, all while providing stress reduction and mindful relaxation to your being. Based in ancient Chinese healing arts, tai chi, qigong and mindfulness can be performed at any age and ability, making it an ideal exercise for every stage of life.

My style and choices come from over 20 years of study and training in Tai Chi, Qigong, mindfulness and movement physiology.  I created the Tai Chi Qigong Mind Body Movement program with the intention of it being easy to follow, whether you have previous experience or completely new.

Offering weekly classes, special events and meaningful workshops.

Current Ongoing Free Classes at the Coeur d’Alene Public Library

Tai Chi Qigong Mind Body Movement

Tuesdays from 9:30am to 10:30am

Improve strength, balance, coordination, focus, breathwork and relaxation, all while exploring different movements from Tai Chi and Qigong. This is an ongoing weekly program. You can join us any week or every week. No special equipment or experience required — just wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for movement. Led in a friendly, supportive environment, this program is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Contact me or go to Cdalibrary.org for more information about these programs.

 Late Summer is the fifth season in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A time for gathering, storing and for preparing for the inward seasons of Fall and Winter.  The wisdom of this harvest season begins with gratitude. Before gathering, we pause. Before planning, we acknowledge. Before reaching, we receive. Recognizing the quiet changes that have ripened without noticing. The energy of this season corresponds to the nurturing Earth element. Earth element represents stability, helping us find the capacity to stay centered amidst opposing forces that may be at work around us. The Late Summer season is ruled by the Spirit Yi - which rules our intention and focus, “where Yi goes, your Qi flows”. The Qi meridians of Late Summer are Spleen and Stomach with emotions of nurturing, trust and reflection when in balance and worry, overthinking and obsessing when not. When in balance we can take life’s experiences and transform to sustain, rather than to deplete or overwhelm. The golden yellow light of the late summer sun, the transforming nature of the Phoenix supports this season. We are in a time of shifting from busy to calm, from expansion to compressing. Nature does not rush from one cycle to the next. There is a moment of gathering, a moment of seeing what the season has given. Sometimes acknowledging our growth is as important as creating more of it.

I invite you this season to find moments to harvest, to gather. To reflect on moments that build kindness, joy, courage, gentleness and trust within you.

Qigong Movement - Buddha Holds Earth

This is a wonderful movement to release tension and worry, as well as to help us feel grounded, connected, centered on Earth. Start in a comfortable stance. Hands begin palms up, finger tips pointing to each other resting just below your belly button.  As you inhale, draw hands up through your center and spiral them to palms facing up as you push past your head fingertips still pointing towards each other as if you are supporting the sky, elbows bent slightly. There should be space between your hands. As you exhale, palms face down fingertips facing each other as you hands float down past your head, then round slightly to palms facing your body around an imaginary Buddha belly, ending with palms facing up below your belly button. Repeat at least 5 times.  As you exhale in this movement, I invite you to let out a “hoooooo” sound. This is the sound associated with Late Summer and the Spleen and Stomach Meridians.  It is a sound similar to softly blowing out a candle.  To deepen the meditative mind body component of this Qigong movement you can visualize a single lit candle and as you exhale you make the flame flicker. Allow your hands to settle against your belly as you complete this movement sending gratitude thoughts to your body.

Online programs to explore:

Regeneration Tai Chi

Mimi Kuo-Deemer

Paul Lam Tai Chi For Health

Nick Loffree YouTube Channel

Amanda Flood YouTube Channel

Rooted Alchemy YouTube Channel

Podcasts:

Vibrant Living With Gemma

Interview with Christine about Tai Chi Qigong Mind Body Movement