Seasons and Cycles

Natures flows in cycles. It's not always daytime and not always night. Winter flows to spring then summer then autumn. It's the ebb and flow that is the life force energy of the planet.

Humans evolved in the natural world, and we too have cycles. The body heals in cycles - daily cycles, monthly cycles (33, 28 and 23 day cycles respectively) and yearly cycles. Knowing how these cycles work and how to work with them rather than against them is the key to optimal health and healing,

Immortal Seasonal QiGong is a program developed here at Inner Strength after being in health and fitness for over 35 years. Having coached thousands of people over the years in fitness, weight loss, recovery from heart attacks, cancer, MS and auto accidents, I amassed information of how the body heals, based on the ancient practices, and then applying that wisdom to hundreds of cases. I have now placed it collectively into one course.While we might not keep our bodies forever, the ancients considered this knowledge part of creating immortality.

I will be teaching how this philosophy aligns with nature with the seasonal cycles taught in classical Chinese Medicine. Even how the largest of cycles, the cycle of 10 years, fits into this picture as well. As with all Nature, things change and adapt. Learning how to change and adapt with these cycles is the key to being an Immortal.

Qigong exercises, meditations and practices are the keynote in the course,(and it's hours can be counted towards a certification level within the National Qigong Association). More than just learning what you might need to do in a season of the year, or time of the month, you understand how you can interpret the signs in your body (or that of a client) that indicate being stuck on a season, and realign the bodies energy to flow forward in the cycle. For exmple: depression is often being stuck in the 'winter' season, even if it is summer.

Included in this course I will also be teaching specialized walking programs for the cycles that involves unique Taoist breathing techniques. Our sensory system evolved in the natural world and when we’re in those spaces, our brains become relaxed because these are things that we were designed to look at, hear and to smell. For instance, our immune cells, or “natural killer cells,” which fight cancer, increase in forests. As a result, Japan now has 48 therapy trails. Called Shinrin-yoku, or Forest bating, the forest service is taking this seriously, as a public health benefit. They’re medicalizing the forest! Taking this a step further at Inner Strength, I will teach you how to breath optimally on our numerous beautiful walking trails.

The upcoming program is offered in four 5-day sessions, once per quarter focusing on the energy of that season, as well as various other information on cycles and rhythms. One can take one session, and receive credit for 40 contact hours or all 4 sessions for 160 contact hours and an Immortal Season Qigong Certificate. (For optimal health we recommend attending all 4 sessions)

It this sounds of interest, please make plans to be here this year, as it might be quite some time before it cycles around again on our calendar of offerings!

~ Dr. Ted J. Cibik