Finding Energy without Medications: 
Consider Qigong  

by Rebecca Shafir

Back in the 70’s in college I became a serious student of Transcendental Meditation. The words of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi still stick with me today: “Each individual is given the gift of an abundant potential of talents and abilities (I’m paraphrasing, after all, it’s been a few years!). It’s up to us to discover and develop them.” 

To this day I truly believe this and make an effort to take advantage of whatever opportunities may expose one of these hidden talents. Therefore, my day is pretty packed.

I probably get less sleep than the average person, and I’m not on a special diet. When people ask where I get the energy, I reply that it’s my martial arts training that has given me the “chi” (pronounced “chee”) or energy to do what I do.

I became a student of marital arts several years ago, and particularly in the last few years studying Qigong (or Chi Gong), I noticed a surge of mental and physical energy that surpassed my usual energy level. Since then I’ve recommended qigong practice to my patients with ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression and those with low energy. 

Conversely, too much energy (or hyperactivity) unfocused can also be a problem. Medications are not always the answer. There is a growing population of clients who prefer a non-medication approach to their symptoms, have undesirable side-effects from medication or who do not benefit from medication. Energy drinks and caffeine are short term solutions. Qigong practice is an alternative worth considering. 

How can energy become better controlled with Qigong practice? To answer these questions I sought out the experts. My teachers, Michael and Ron Williams are co-founders of the Martial Arts Research Institute (MARI) in Salem, Massachusetts. They have studied with some of the foremost Qigong masters in the world and pass down these teachings to their students. They teach a wide variety of Chinese, Indonesian and Filipino martial arts including the Chinese healing arts. 

The Chinese word ‘Qi’ means life energy. ‘Gong’ means “benefits acquired through perseverance and practice.” Thus, Qigong means working with life energy; it is a process of learning to control the flow and distribution of energy to improve the health of the mind and body. This energy exercise is over 4000 years old. 

There are several aspects of Qigong that make it an appealing choice of exercise for anyone at any level of conditioning. It does not require memorization of lengthy forms like Tai Chi (a slow series of fighting movements), and to spice it up, there is a wide range of soft to hard exercises: short meditative stances to more strenuous core strengthening exercises. 

The benefits of practicing qigong with a qualified instructor include not only increased physical and mental focus (many students in my class have experienced this very early in their training), but improved circulation, better sleep, faster recovery from flus and viruses, improved muscle tone and increased flexibility. Greater energy is often accompanied by improved productivity and better mood.

Ron Williams, a certified Qigong instructor and licensed acupuncturist in Ipswich, MA and an instructor at MARI, provides Qigong as a healing therapy for his patients with anxiety, sleep disorders and headaches. Williams describes Qigong according to its five regulations: posture, breath training, mind focus, chi, higher energy state of the mind and mindfulness. When you regulate your breath you can better manage your state of mind. 

Qigong is a self-cultivation activity. The exercises are specifically designed to modify the flow of energy. The breath work in Qigong allows the red blood cells to accumulate more oxygen which brings more oxygen to the brain and every other system of the body. This results in improved ability to concentrate and sets the stage for improved sleep. Chest breathing is restrictive; it induces a hyperactive state and creates more anxiety. This is normal with increased activity, however in the relaxed state the focus of breathing should be slow, deep and below the diaphragm. 

Patients with chronic headaches can also benefit from Qigong training. For example, if touching your head during a headache feels good, it is a sign, according to Williams, of deficiency, this deficiency could be chi, blood or oxygen. If the headache is tender to touch, it suggests that there is a condition of excess which needs to be released. Once the energy is better regulated throughout the body, a person is better focused with more get-up-and-go. 

For more information on the Qigong program at the Martial Arts Research Institute and its other programs for help with ADHD and stress reduction, go to their website at mari.cmasdirect.com or contact RonaldWilliams25@gmail.com.