SPRD offers new qigong program

Sisters residents can explore the physical and mental benefits of the practice of qigong through a new Sisters Park & Recreation District program.

"Sisters residents have been asking for a class like tai chi for a while," says SPRD adult program manager, Kelly Sheets. "This term we will have qigong (pronounced chi gong) which is an older form of tai chi."

A six-week class will run from January 28 through March 11. Joyce Burk Brown is the instructor; she has been teaching for 10 years in Sisters and Bend.

"Both tai chi and qigong use slow and focused movements to work with the vital life force called qi (chi is more recent spelling)," Brown says. "It is beautiful to watch and do - much like a movement session of meditation. It supports the body, mind and spirit connections while relaxing and balancing the person. It uses both traditional Chinese medicine theory like acupuncture and also the feng shui theory of energy work."

Qigong works to promote circulation, improve standing balance, revitalize the body, strengthen muscles and bones. Other benefits are that it stimulates intellectual function by requiring a building of memory of movements (focus and concentration), increases blood-flow to the brain and helps to bring attention to the moment.

"The sessions will focus on remedy routines for specific health issues and are easy to learn and complete. Cleansing, detox and qi building, and acupressure points for health are just a few of the things you will learn," Brown said.

Register online at www.SistersRecreation.com or call 541-549-2091.