I was standing in the back of the Senior Center of Scotts Valley building, amongst the Oak trees, in the grass where 25 people had gathered, spaced out, already moving their bodies slowly, in a rhythmic manner, guided by Denise Allen.
I had arrived late, in a state of self-judgment, annoyed because I blamed the road maintenance crew for my tardiness. But, there was plenty of space for me to find a spot, there was calmness in the air, and I soon became amazed at how quickly I shifted my busy-thinking mind to focusing on my breath. In fact, I was hearing my breath—in-out, in-out, slowly moving my body, like the ebb and flow of the ocean waves.
I was relaxed, focused and present. “You experienced some of the benefits of Qi Gong already,” Denise assured me. “Qi Gong is a different form of exercise and offers various benefits. It’s a meditative movement practice, similar to Tai Chi and Yoga, and is thousands of years of observation and understanding of nature’s energy.”
Exploring Qi Gong
Researching this practice, Qi Gong dates back 4,000 years, and its purpose was initially developed as a health practice to cultivate life energy (or Qi=Chee) through gentle movements, breathing techniques and meditation. It seeks to balance and enhance Qi’s flow within the body, where Tai Chi evolved into more of a military practice.
Qi Gong practice benefits all ages, and while its attraction to older persons seems to be more common, it also “…increases body balance, builds body strength, maintains joint mobility and helps to reduce body stiffness and soreness. It enables individuals to perform daily tasks with more ease.”
Denise provides a high-level overview of how this practice relates to nature’s Five Seasons.
Five Seasons Wayfinder
Denise, owner of Five Seasons Wayfinder, has been teaching Qi Gong since 2016.
Her background includes 30 years in a “dynamic career in high-tech Global Protection and Crisis Management,” before she found her way to a very different way of living. She holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and a Holden Qi Gong Tier 1 certification, teaching classes in Scotts Valley through the SV Parks and Recreation and the Senior Center.
Her energy and passion in her teaching are about sharing the connection between Qi Gong and nature. I witnessed how enthusiastic her students were about the class and their teacher. Go to the journal section on her website, and you will learn how Chi=energy and practicing the energy flow align with nature’s seasons.
Voices Heard
Many of her students have been practicing with Denise for years. There are too many to quote and mention by name; all expressed the “calming ability” of this practice. She encourages and supports them, demonstrating the synchronicity between the movement with nature and the alignment with each season, emphasizing one of her favorite expressions, “Listen to the whispers.”
During our interview, she shared this quote that expresses the balance of mind, body and spirit:
“And, I said to my body, softly, I want to be your friend. It took a long breath and replied, I have been waiting my whole life for this.” —Nayyirah Waheed
In Summary
“I really do believe we can change our way of being with practice, support and lots of self-compassion. We can take care of ourselves, emotionally and physically, even if it has not been our way, and we often need support to do that,” stated Denise.
Overall, I learned that Qi Gong’s role benefits ease from physical discomfort, releases emotional tension and promotes inner calm. I now continue this practice.
“Each season of the year brings a unique and powerful energy. Differences in light and sunshine may come to mind: the darker days of winter versus long summer days. When we use our senses to tune into the natural world around us, we discover much more.”
Read the journal pages in her website (fiveseasonswayfinder.com), as she enlightens us on the meaning of Chi=energy and Gong=practicing the energy, and explore the purpose of Five Seasons.
The Qi Gong Class is held Thursdays at 10:30am at the Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road.
Janet Janssen is a Life in Business and Speaker Coach, local Chamber of Commerce member and board member of Leadership Santa Cruz County. She offers speaking and webinar classes. Contact her at ja***@ja**********.com or visit janetjanssen.com.
