AN ancient meditative exercise that lifts your mood and helps you live well is gaining popularity in Teesdale.
Quigong is a gentle Chinese exercise system designed to promote the flow of natural energy and bring the body into natural balance and is similar to the ancient martial art of Tai Chi.
For more than two decades, Startforth’s music maestro Andy Yeadon has taught the system to residents of the dale at a variety of venues.
He said: “I have been practising Tai Chi for 30 years and I have been teaching since 2001. I’m always going to teach music, but I’m interested in doing Quigong because the feedback I’m getting from people doing this is really gratifying.”
Using a series of 18 slow repetitive movements that serve a different purpose, it emphasizes calm, meditative breathing and could help reduce stress, increase blood flow and alleviate pain.
He added: “They say the help they are getting from this covers everything from pain management to easing anxiety and helping lift people’s mood. It’s making people healthy, mentally as well as physically.”
There is mounting scientific evidence the ancient art, which is practised by more than 10m people worldwide, benefits health. Recent studies in China have shown it may help to slow down the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for several years.
Andy said: “I have three different classes, one for beginner’s, one for advanced and another for further advanced students.”
This term he is adding a weekly absolute beginner’s class, starting on Tuesday, January 9, 10.30am to 11.30am to cope with demand. The ten-week course costs £75 and places can be booked through The Witham’s box office by visiting www.thewitham. org.uk
He added: “The only problem with Tai Chi is it is very complicated to learn and requires a lot of concentration. Quigong, on the other hand, takes the martial art element out and is for movement and is far easier for someone to learn.
“The course will teach people over the ten weeks the full set of Quigong Shibashi movements and skills along with the method of meditation and breathing to relax the body.”
For more information about Quigong visit www.andrewyeadon.co.uk.
