Qigong (Pronounced and sometimes spelled Chi Kung)– Literally means “Energy Work,” “Qi” meaning energy and “gong” meaning work or achievement

In Qigong classes at Villari’s Martial Arts Centers in Somerville, MA you will learn simple movements and ways of breathing which will help to improve your health and wellbeing. Different exercises are designed to strengthen and improve the functions of different bodily systems. You will improve the health of your heart and lungs, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, etc. Qigong can also help with anxiety, depression, stress and other mental and emotional ailments. In China, qigong is a medical profession and is used to treat many dis-eases. One of the concepts behind Qigong is energy follows thought. Where you send energy by thinking about it, or perhaps more accurately, picturing it, it goes. The simple movements you will learn will help it along, but the most important part is the intent. It is often done in three phases: purging (releasing stale or negative energy), Tonifying (building energy), and regulating (dispersing it to where in the body it needs to go). Most of these exercises can be done sitting or standing; some are meant to be done lying down. Some of what you will learn will be stand- alone exercises, and some will be routines best done in the order taught. Some of the routines will contain exercises that can be done by themselves. All of them will leave you feeling better that you did when you began.