Qigong class is available at the Gunnison Library on June 18

According to local teacher Hedi Magnus, "Qi means life force energy, and gong means practice or play. We're basically playing with life force energy."

Gunnison Public Library has partnered with Magnus to lead a free Qigong class for the public on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

The practice dates back thousands of years and remains part of Chinese medicine. It uses exercises and breathing techniques to optimize energy in the mind and body, improving and maintaining health. The National Qigong Association describes it as "The cultivation of energy through movement, breath, and intention."

Magnus has practiced Qi for about 20 years and taught it for 10. "When you practice with others, you learn, share energy, and become inspired. It becomes a collective experience, not just one teacher."

There are hundreds of Qigong forms including Tai Chi, which the Harvard Medical School describes as "meditation in motion," and medication in motion." The 4,000-plus-year history of the medical benefits attests to this. 

Magnus explains, "In Chinese medicine, disease and discomfort come from blocked energy—tension, stuck thoughts, or emotions. Qigong aims to get our life force energy flowing by breaking through these blockages."

An 85-year-old practitioner told this reporter she has been doing both forms for decades and "These help my balance more than I can describe. These exercises clear my mind too."

Magnus said, "The kinda cool thing about Qigong is there are no bad emotions, just blocked emotions. One of the things we can do in our gentle movement is to get everything flowing better. Maybe things that have been stuck for years can start to let go. This is a very gentle practice; we don't get our heart rate up, and our breathing is never ragged. This is a wonderful practice for optimizing the body's functions. With this gentle movement, we invite different parts of the body to mobilize within a safe, comfortable range of motion.

"Many of the movements that we do are slow and circular and repetitive. The group in the class moves in synchronicity; there is power in the circular movement. Through rhythm comes regulation. With this moving in synchronicity with other people, there is this dance which is good for everyone."

During Qigong breathing, inhaling brings oxygen and energy, and exhaling eliminates old or negative energy.

Magnus says, "If you are breathing, you’re practicing right. Stay within your comfortable range of motion, and keep it wacky."

The monthly class at the library is for beginners or advanced students who want to practice in a fun and casual community atmosphere. 

The class meets free of charge on the third Thursday each month from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at 1 Quartz Street, Gunnison. The next session is Thursday, June 18. Dress comfortably and bring water; no special gear is needed.

She also leads Qigong on Monday mornings at the Somatics Sanctuary located at 513 S. Main Street in Gunnison. www.sanctuarysomatics.com 

This is one of the many community events and resources available at the Gunnison County Libraries; visit them at www.gunnisoncountrylibraries.org

To learn more about the potential health benefits of Qigong, visit the National Institutes of Health at: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/qigong-what-you-need-to-know