Qigong: One Way to Beat Stress

If you're interested in trying something new this summer to help you relax, manage stress, cope with injury or illness or just out of curiosity, qigong is an option to consider.

I stopped by a Qigong-"Meditation in Motion" class taught by Bridget Hughes of Healing Point Acupuncture & Healing Arts on Friday for an introduction. The petite brunette with a bright smile and welcoming personality teaches the eight-week session in Heck Hall at .

More than a dozen women and one young man sat listening intently to Hughes explain the philosophy of qigong (pronounced chi kung) while she entertained her pupils with anecdotes from her life as a practitioner of the ancient Chinese health program.

Subtitled "A Mind-Body Approach to Spontaneous Healing," Hughes said the purpose of qigong is to experientially engage in the question:

"What is the state of mind and being that allows my critical/analytical mind to quiet down enough to allow me to access a feeling state in my body that fosters and encourages healing?"  

"We explore ways to access powerful healing states and explore the phenomena of accelerated wound healing and spontaneous healing from cultures around the world. Qigong movements aid in releasing constriction and constraint in the body while building our vital life force," she said.

According to the National Qigong Association, the practice of qigong can be classified as martial, medical or spiritual.

Following the introduction, the chairs were folded and floor work followed that  incorporated breathing techniques, slow movement and mental focus guided by Hughes.

Participant Rosemary Bredeson said the class is "amazing" because the approach is healing lives.

"The focus isn't just healing a disease," she said.

Hughes has a photographer who records video of each class and sends a YouTube link one week later to the participants, or those who may have missed a class. Participants can then go back and review the material from previous classes on the videos. 

Hughes is also an acupuncturist, who—along with her husband, Brandon—operates an office at 4 Riggs Ave. (above the Antique Marketplace). The pair also work in Columbia.

The Severna Park class runs for eight weeks through Aug. 31 and the cost is $88. If you are interested in this session, you can start this Friday (or anytime). The next session begins Sept. 7.

For more information, email bridget@healingpoint.biz or visit www.healingpoint.biz.