Healing Destination: Center gets to the core of personal wellness

Linda Burquez gives a client a Medical Qigong treatment at her Nevada City clinic.

Qigong offers anyone who has the desire to be empowered in healing their body the tools to do so.

Linda Burquez, the founder of Core Movement Center, has created a place of grace, beauty, comfort and wellness in Nevada City. Linda and her staff offer many ways to expand inner awareness and health with movements like Qigong, Nia Dance Fusion, Inner Radiance Qigong, Zumba and Pilates as well as a variety of workshops and teacher trainings. You must experience her new floors – they are divine and really help keep your knees happy!  Linda answered the following questions to help us understand Medical Qigong – her specialty.

What is Medical Qigong and how did you get interested in it?

Qigong offers anyone who has the desire to be empowered in healing their body the tools to do so. I was introduced to the International Institute of Medical Qigong after many years of practicing and teaching Energetic Bodywork and movement classes. I immediately knew that this was my path and a culmination of everything that I have found to promote true wellness: physical structure combined with energetic flow and conscious intention. I have nearly completed the doctoral program and am now an authorized instructor for the school and offer teacher certification programs, classes and private sessions in Medical Qigong.

What are the benefits of Medical Qigong?

Medical Qigong is one of the four branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is the eldest therapeutic modality. It is a comprehensive system of health care addressing the root cause of symptoms or disease, treats the client as a whole and is complementary to other modalities. Qigong exercises affect the brain and emotions to create a shift in our body chemistry that will help you to reduce stress and improve health. The long-term results are feeling emotionally centered, increasing reserves of vital energy and the enjoyment life.

Medical Qigong consists of both internal and external Qigong. Internal qigong, slow movements with breath and visualization, is practiced by an individual to achieve a specific purpose (i.e. lowering blood pressure, cleansing the liver) or for general health. External Qigong is practiced by a Qigong doctor who emits energy to others in order to cleanse toxins, alleviate emotional stress and strengthen the immune system. She may touch areas on the client’s body or simply pass her hands over the body.

What are a few simple practices people can do for their wellness program?

One basic but profound exercise that you can practice is as simple as pausing to take six breaths into the lower belly and imagine it filling with the color blue. Doing this will calm the mind, relax the nervous system, produce a calm sensation and give the body more energy to use during the day.