Ease the stress of life with Qi Gong

A Melksham-based Tai Chi instructor is offering Qi Gong exercises that help deal with stress and modern life.  

Mary-Ann Pickett teaches the breathing exercises that can offer both physical and psychological benefits. Qi Gong is a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation. The exercises have three components including a posture (whether moving or stationary), breathing techniques and mental focus on the body. The prerequisite is a calm, relaxed state of mind.

“Today most of us have to cope with this pressure at some specific times in our lives. In the work place we may face unrealistic demands to achieve targets. Other well documented stress situations include getting a new job or being unemployed, being poor, moving house, getting married, separating from a partner, getting divorced, illness and bereavement.

“Of course life goes on and we muddle through, we cope because that’s what our life is. If more than one of these stressful events happen to coincide, we may reach the end stage which is a collapse of our health, both physical and mental. Many common twenty first century diseases can be traced to this state of constant stress.

“Relief from stress may be found in many different ways. A life changing event may stop us in our tracks and make us assess how we live our life, or we may come across an activity which makes us relax. Whatever activity we choose in order to help us, it has to involve relaxation. Relaxation is the key and the antidote to modern stress. The worldwide appeal of the practice of Tai Chi and deep breathing Qi Gong exercises across all age groups is precisely because regular practice brings about relaxation i.e. stress relief. It is no coincidence that people who practice the art of Tai Chi are more content and able to cope in difficult situations, they are more able to take a step back and not over-react to the stresses of modern life. We have it in our power to influence the rhythm of our life, which means that in many situations we can slow down and even reverse the destructive effects of long-term stress. The most important thing is to take the decision and make a start.”

For more information on the practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong breathing exercises you may contact Mary-Ann Pickett by phone 01225 703121, 07711 871750 or email m-a.pickett@talktalk.net.