(This week our Persons of the Week feel the virtues of an ancient health practice)

By Cathy Miller

Qigong is a 5,000 year old modality that is “the best all around wellness program you have never heard of,” Stan Cohen, long-time practitioner, explains. “The umbrella of Qigong actually covers multiple areas including nutrition, acupuncture, acupressure, medical Qigong and movement modality for health and wellness.”

Stan has lived in Port Murray for 33 years. He’s been a student of Tai Chi for 27 years and Qigong for 12. A teacher for 16 years, he aims to “inspire and guide my students to a love of the art of Qigong movement. Through teaching an array of skills and movements, my hope is that students gain the ability to pick and choose what works for them and that they develop their own path and lifelong practice.”

Most Qigong forms can be done seated or standing, and performed at the practitioner’s own level and own pace. Qigong’s slow and soft movement focuses on internal health, mindfulness and relaxation of mind and body. Stan said, “Its goal is to calm the central nervous system, moving us from flight or fight into parasympathetic or healing mode. We relax, open the body pathways to get our blood and fluids flowing, bring oxygen to our systems and work with improving the flow of our natural energy, or Qi (chi).”

Equally beneficial are the improvement of balance, flexibility, mobility, and peace of mind, along with the ability to better deal with life’s physical and mental stresses.

Every Monday a small group meets with Stan for 30 minutes at Gaia’s Gifts in Washington where they have realized wellbeing through their practice of Qigong. One recent morning after a class three students (photo above, l-r, are Marilyn Balzer, Linda Drake, and Frances Taylor) shared their thoughts on Qigong.

Marilyn Balzer:
I have some physical challenges with aging. Having finished my physical therapy sessions, I told my therapist winter is my hardest time, that’s when I get into trouble physically. I’m not as active and not working in my garden. My therapist suggested I try Tai Chi, the gentle Tai Chi of course. I agreed. She inspired me to look around. I asked at Church and someone knew of Stan. Fortunately, I found this group, recently relocated to Gaia’s Gifts. Qigong has really helped my flexibility. I had strained myself digging in my garden Sunday afternoon. Monday was rainy so I didn’t go out and work out those kinks. Coming to Qigong I’m much more flexible right now. I might even do more digging this afternoon!

Linda Drake:
Actually Marilyn and Frances were the ones who told me about this class. I’ve been looking for something like this. I understand it reduces stress and makes you more limber and that’s what I was looking for – something that’s not too strenuous. I’ve tried other things and hurt myself. Stan is great. He’s very patient as he teaches. He goes over it and over it and he’s not judgmental. He’s a perfect instructor. Qigong is a learning thing. I don’t think you’re going to get it right away. You have to practice it and understand it. I think it will help in the future, but it’s too early for me to notice a difference right now.

Frances Taylor:
There’s two reasons I came to Qigong. The first is I wanted to meet people that I felt had a similar mindset to mine. The other thing is it’s a mental relaxation technique and I was attracted to that concept. It’s really exceeded my expectations, having had more of an effect than I thought it would. I’d tried yoga, I love this much more than yoga. Yoga was painful. This is very soothing. It’s really good for fitness and it doesn’t strain your body at all. I wish it was more than once a week. I practice at home with the videos but it’s not the same. Stan is a big part of this for me. He’s got this way about him. And it’s really nice practicing here at Gaia’s Gifts, because there’s such a great ambiance and atmosphere.

As Stan says, “Do you want to move and feel better than you do now? It’s never too late to start your journey into Qigong practice.” Check his website below for class availability.

Stan Cohen. www.facebook.com/groups/casualqigong. Web: www.chiforliving.com
Gaia’s Gifts, 16 Broad Street, Washington, NJ 07882. Tel: (908) 223-1331. Web: gaiasgiftsnj.biz/