Are you feeling that summer energy yet? It’s been slow coming this year between lower-than-usual temperatures and lots of rain, but we’re finally hitting that summer stride here in the Carolinas. My kids are in summer-mode and ready for some relaxation, longer days, and lots of pool time.
Along with feeling those familiar summer vibes, there are lots of things we can do to harness the energy of summer to keep our body feeling healthy and strong.
Summer and Chinese Medicine
Summer is an expansive time of year, governed by the heart in Chinese medicine. The kidneys (water element) and the heart (fire element) represent Yin/Yang in Taoism. Balancing these organs and elements is very important, and summer is the best time to do so because this is the time of year when these systems and organs in our bodies ramp up and optimize their energy.
I always like to say that all this is happening and the energy is moving regardless, so we may as well pay attention to it and capitalize on this energy to make it work better for us!
What we eat, the actions we take in our lives, and how we move in summer can help us to amplify the season’s energy and use it to balance our bodies on many levels: hormonal, emotional, physical, and spiritual, to name a few.
As far as moving our bodies, one of the best ways we can do this is through the practices of Tai Chi and Qigong.
What is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced CHEE-gung) is a centuries-old practice that has been shown to promote healthy aging, self-healing, and to support your body’s overall wellness. The practice of Qigong works by quieting the mind, cleansing and detoxifying the organs, clearing blockages in the body’s meridians, and restoring your body to its natural healing state.
The best way I can describe Qigong is as a moving meditation. The movements have been carefully designed to nurture specific organs and meridians, giving your body an internal massage to encourage healing and the release of toxins and stuck energy.
This healing happens naturally in three ways: 1) through the movements themselves, 2) through mindset and visualizations that accompany the movements, and 3) through the coordination of the breath with the movements. These three components synergistically act to bring both body and mind into balance.
I found this powerful practice, as well as Tai Chi, during the time my young daughter was in treatment for leukemia from 2020-2022. It was both Tai Chi and Qigong that grounded me and helped me maintain balance and stability during a difficult time, and I’m grateful to have discovered their power and to now be able to share it with others.
If you’re interested in learning something new or practicing even more (if you’re already familiar), now is the time to prioritize your wellness. You deserve to be your best this season! Read on for a special opportunity…
Summer Qi Class
I will be leading a 6-week virtual Tai Chi/Qigong course for summer, called “Power Up Your Summer Qi.” We will meet virtually once a week for 6 weeks to practice for one hour, from July 11th – August 15th, at 7:30 PM EST. I will send out the replay each week for those who cannot make the live class or simply want to practice on their own time. You can sign up below.
As a member you will also receive heart-supporting recipes as well as meditations to help unblock stuck energy and replenish the flow of Qi in your body throughout the program.
You don’t have to know Qigong or Tai Chi; beginners are welcome, as well as those who are familiar with these practices. Regardless of your skill level you will benefit from the teachings and movements.
You can join here:
As a member of the 6-week course you will receive:
- 6 weeks of guided Qigong/Tai Chi practice specifically for Summer and enhancing your heart Qi
- Teachings of basic tai chi and qigong principles to help strengthen and align your body
- Recordings sent to you each week, so if you miss class you can practice on your own time
- Lifetime access to all material
- Weekly recipes geared toward supporting your heart energy and to help to unblock Qi (There are certain foods that are best to eat in the summer to help balance our body, and I share more information on this as well as healthy summer recipes in this course)
- Meditations for releasing stuck energy and supporting joy, love, and happiness in your life
- email support from me throughout your Summer Qi journey
Don’t wait – join me in this unique opportunity for “Power Up Your Summer Qi.” We start July 11th. I hope to see you there!
