Qigong: A Tune-up for the Body, Mind and Spirit
You will find BodyTune Studio in downtown Palm Springs at the entrance to a corridor that leads to a secret garden courtyard. Upstairs, the studio opens up to a peaceful open space accented by unusual, yet simple to play musical instruments. Every detail is considered and flows effortlessly throughout each room. The private treatment room overlooks the garden; the adjustable treatment table is roomy and comfortable.
Clean and spacious, the intention is to allow the opportunity for the senses to relax while the mind expands. The nervous system is allowed to downshift, going from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”. This change in state is extremely important for the deep, introspective, yet gentle, practice done at BodyTune. The environment may be similar to a spa but the treatments offered address not only the physical body but the emotional, mental and spiritual bodies as well.
When the environment is peaceful, there is an immediate reduction in mental activity, which calms the nervous system. The nervous system controls the muscles that begin to fire less frequently. The physical body is then addressed in a gentle manner using non-invasive approaches like Craniosacral Therapy or Myofascial Release. In this way, trust and respect is established allowing for a deeper dive into the emotional body, if appropriate. Sound and vibration in the form of tuning forks, vocal toning, and powerful musical instruments are used to explore old patterns. Complex or painful memories can be released and experienced in a new way. Many blocks can open up, freeing new levels of creativity, focus and goal setting.
The therapists at BodyTune have extensive backgrounds in the healing arts such as Chinese Medicine, Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Eden Energy Medicine, Biofield Tuning, Watsu, Flower Remedies, Macrobiotics and more. Experience combined with continuing education and growth in many diverse fields, creates well rounded practitioners who understand the necessity for deep listening, focused attention and an individual, holistic approach to wellness. People are not seen as broken or in need of fixing. Each session is unique, tailored in such a way as to meet and explore the inner physician of each person.
Dis-ease is a lack of ease. Working together, harmony can be renewed and ease becomes a way of life.
An Introduction to Medical Qigong
Medical Qigong is an ancient form of Chinese energetic medicine, and is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and medical massage. As with the other “Branches” of TCM, healing occurs through balancing qi or electromagnetic energy, which surrounds and pervades all living creatures.
Disruptions in the electromagnetic energy of the body occur throughout our lifetime as a result of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, injuries, surgery, suppression of emotions, and aging. The goal of qigong is to correct these bio-energetic imbalances and blockages. This enables the body to strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system, relieve pain, regulate hormones, and strengthen and release deep-seated emotions and stress.
Natasa Meyer is a local Medical Qigong Master. I recently sat down with her in an effort to gain more information about this ancient form of healing.
Daniel Clemens – Natasa, how did you discover Medical Qigong?
Natasa Meyer – Actually, I had a dog with a broken bone and a friend offered to assist using Medical Qigong. It wasn’t possible to meet in person so she worked remotely without even seeing the dog. The results were unbelievable. I’m also a pharmacist and my father was a doctor so my mind has been trained towards a scientific worldview. But I was so impressed that I became a patient.
DC – Tell us about your first experience as a patient.
NM – The experience was profound. I almost can’t put it into words. I saw the most amazing colors; in fact, I saw a lot of things in my mind. I felt changes happening. It was such a moving experience that I assumed that only very special people could do this kind of healing. My therapist assured me that anyone can learn it if he or she is willing to put in the time and effort. It’s a commitment, but you don’t need any special talents to start.
DC – Where did you learn Medical Qigong and what was the training like?
NM – I trained at The International Medical Qigong College in Palm Desert. After the first year you become a Practitioner. After the second, you’re a Therapist. A Therapist can start to work on cancer patients, which was not allowed until the proper training is completed. If one chooses to go further, a third year must be completed in order to become what we call a Master. Master training goes much deeper into the spiritual, and esoteric realms. Everyone has to complete a certain amount of clinical hours and there are classes in subjects like anatomy, physiology, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Similar to what an acupuncturist learns.
DC – Can you explain what takes place in a typical session?
NM – A session takes about an hour. I start with an intake discussion that may lead us to the direction that we take, but I leave it open for change. The person then lies on his or her back on a massage table and we begin. Very little touch is needed. Sometimes I may touch a hand or feet but most everything is done off of the body using my hands and voice. It is painless and noninvasive. Sometimes issues come forward for the person during or after the treatment that we discuss. Then once the energy field around the body is clear and the channels within the body are opened, people feel infused. They feel lighter and brighter. Sometimes euphoric. In order to keep this feeling going, I give patients some simple exercises to do at home. Maybe a sound related to a particular organ, or a meditation, or an easy physical exercise. Usually one of each. Five minutes, two or three times a day. This keeps them active n their own healing. They begin to see that they are actually healing themselves. In fact, I’m not really healing anyone, they are healing themselves.
DC – Yes! The inner physician. It’s so important that people realize that they heal themselves. We just gently guide them into remembering how. Please tell us how this training and practice changed your life?
NM – Wow, it changed everything about me! Before I discovered Medical Qigong, my pharmacist mind saw things in black in white, the scientific method ruled. Something could be proven or not. Although I had an experience when I was younger that showed me that this life is not the end, with Medical Qigong I have no doubt that there is more to this physical life. It changed how I see my purpose on this earth. I know what I’m here to do, where I’m going. I’m clear about my life, other people, and my family relationships – just everything is different.
DC – This technique is ancient but it’s new to many people. When I began my Chinese Medicine training 25 years ago, acupuncture was considered fringe. Now we accept it as a viable option in healthcare. Sound and energy healing seem to be the next evolution. Where do you see your future Natasa?
NM – I’m about to turn 48 years old and Medical Chigong was a real commitment to me at this point in my life. I still work full time as a pharmacist but I do see patients in my clinic space in Palm Desert by appointment in between my usual work schedule. I don’t advertise, and my clientele is purely word of mouth. I truly enjoy what I do and I get to meet the most incredible people – and animals. I’ve worked with dogs, cats, even a tortoise. I do this for the simple joy of it.
Natasa Meyer, Medical Qigong Master can be reached at www.medicalqigonglaquinta.com
She will also be speaking at BodyTune Studio in Palm Springs on July 25th. For more info and to RSVP got to: www.bodytune.studio
by Daniel Clemens, CMT
This article first appeared in The Standard Palm Springs, read more articles here: www.thestandardps.com
