ONE sunny summer afternoon in Teesdale, I threw caution to the wind, donned a pair of trainers and rocked up to The Witham, in Barnard Castle, to take part in one of the art centre’s new summer festival activity sessions.
I joined an enthusiastic bunch of dales folk who were also keen to learn more about the meditative exercise system, Qigong, from resident expert and teacher Andy Yeadon who has been practising the art for the past three decades.
Based on the ancient Chinese martial art Tai Chi, Qigong uses a simplified series of 18 slow, repetitive movements (Qubaisi) tied to concentrated breathing which, says Andy, helps “bring your body back into alignment”.
Perfect if you have a body like mine which reacts to all normal types of keep fit activity with a swift and oft painful dislocation or subluxation.
Designed to promote the flow of natural energy (chi) there is mounting scientific evidence Qigong is beneficial to health and can reduce stress, improve mobility, increase blood flow and relieve pain.
It is practised by more than ten million people worldwide and is growing in popularity. It’s easy to see why: it’s not taxing, unlikely to make you work up a sweat and can be done seated.
Andy said: “It’s more about conditioning the mind and the body than exercise. The thing with Qigong is you’re not in competition with anyone. It’s about you carrying out the movement. The more regularly you do it though, the better.
“This taster session was a great opportunity for people to come along and see what it’s all about.
“Since last year we have had 50 people signing up and I have also had to add a second beginners’ class.”
During the hour-long free taster, Andy demonstrated three of the simpler Qubaisi moves after some meditative breathing exercises.
By the end of the session I felt energised and my fingers were tingling – something experienced practitioners achieve only after several years, said Andy, impressed.
For my first foray into Qigong, I felt rather chuffed, but I hasten to add it could have been the effects of a trapped nerve. The uplift in energy the next day was enough to convince me to sign up to Andy’s new 13-week absolute beginners class starting on Monday September 9, at 7.45pm.
The new term will also see a second beginners’ class on Tuesdays from 10.30am; an advanced level class at 9.25am and an intermediary class on Thursdays at 9.30am.
He is also running an intensive Qigong week in the winter at the TCR Hub, with three-hour sessions each morning from December 16 to December 19.
For more information or to sign up, email Andy at mail@andyyeadon.co.uk.
