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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 14 Qigong Fitness Class Developing the skills to maintain a calm and relaxed state Christine Hosking with members of the Qigong Class at Burwood Hospital. Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. Qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese as a practice to cultivate and balance qi (pronounced as "chi"), translated as "life energy". Christine Hosking is a Client Service Manager for Healthcare New Zealand, her role involves supervising nearly 40 support workers who assist people with spinal cord impairment (SCI). In her spare time, Christine has practised Yuan Qigong for 11 years and for the last two years has been teaching classes at Burwood Hospital. The <strong>SNN</strong> met with Christine to find out more about the benefits of Qigong and why it is so beneficial. —Christine Hosking The benefits to practising Qigong are limitless and everyone can benefit no matter what their physical ability is.
SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 15 How long have you practised Qigong? How did this come about? I’ve been practicing Yuan qigong for 11 years now. When I started, I was working as a practice manager for a large integrative medical centre. While in this role, I became very interested in how we can best develop and maintain good health and a sense of wellbeing using a holistic approach. I was also keen to understand how we can change things in our lives that are preventing us being healthy and happy. One of the doctors at the practice was learning Yuan Qigong, and introduced me to it. I very quickly felt the results of doing the practice, and soon embarked on a six-year training course to be a Yuan Qigong teacher. This quickly manifested into many positive changes both in my health and life overall. What are the benefits of practising Qigong? The benefits to practising qigong are many and limitless, and everyone can benefit no matter what their physical ability is. There are obvious benefits such as improving the health of the entire body, increased strength and flexibility, developing the skills to maintain a calm and relaxed state, and improving mood by using techniques such as breathing and visualisation. Qigong consists of moving and still meditations guided by the Qigong teacher and can be learned easily. The methods are adaptable to the student and their abilities. Some of my students have not been able to move their bodies at all due to severe spinal injury and they have joined the class and got a lot of benefit using the guided meditations. One person even came in their bed. There has been some truly inspiring feedback from students with spinal injury. Engaging with a Qigong teacher to learn some techniques, particularly if there are special areas that a person wishes to work on, can be life-changing over time. You have been teaching a weekly class for SCI people at Burwood Hospital for the last two years. How did this come about? I was invited to teach a set of four introductory sessions by a member of the Peer Support team, working for the NZ Spinal Trust (NZST), who knew I was a Qigong teacher. This initial engagement was for a woman’s group to try it out as an activity. They all enjoyed it so much that they asked me to continue teaching the class, and it was then opened up to anyone who wanted to attend. This was over two years ago. I ran the class through Zoom during lockdown, which the participants found really beneficial during that challenging time. Those who attend your class find it very beneficial. Why do you think this is? I’ve been a few times and always find that I sleep really well on the days I’ve attended. I understand from the feedback I receive that some people who attend experience reduced pain and discomfort, even from injuries that are years old, and including a decrease in spasm. Increased strength and flexibility, with an ability to be more relaxed and cope better with life’s challenges is also a common feedback. We also practice mindful awareness and breathing techniques that can be used any time to help maintain a calm and relaxed state. Improved sleep is very commonly reported, and improvement of health generally. Participants now have a tool-kit of methods to use at home to improve their emotional state and physical wellbeing, and to help them sleep. The participants say they feel better overall. Can you tell me about your role with Healthcare NZ? I am a Client Service Manager for HealthCare New Zealand. I work in a specialist area of the organisation, managing the services for clients with serious injury living in their own homes. I also manage about 40 support workers who work for my clients. Most of my clients have serious spinal injuries, so I have a very good understanding and ability to adapt the Qigong methods to support those who attend. I also have a nursing background and worked in Dunedin Hospital for a number of years. HealthCare NZ supports me in providing these weekly classes, by enabling me to run them during my working day. I feel very grateful to HealthCare NZ (and my wonderful senior managers) for so generously supporting this opportunity; both for myself, and the people who have attended my Yuan Qigong class for the last two years. Is there anything else you would like to add? My experience running my class at Burwood Hospital has been truly inspiring. The feedback I get is clear evidence that Yuan Qigong is a very effective modality for improving health, happiness and wellbeing over time, no matter the condition or ability of the person learning. It can be adapted to suit anyone, and everyone can benefit. There is wonderful camaraderie and encouragement between us all too, and we help each other by discussing our challenges. We are all learning together. I have a great admiration for the NZ Spinal Trust and the work they do, it’s absolutely amazing and inspiring. Most of my clients have serious spinal injury and so I’m very aware of all the work the NZST does for New Zealanders with SCI on many different levels including advocacy. I think the fact that Jazz and Andrew are great supporters of Qigong and its benefits also says a lot about the openness of the trust, their constant research and their willingness to try other rehabilitative modalities for people with SCI. There are trained Yuan Qigong teachers running classes like mine all over New Zealand. If anyone wants more information, please do get in touch with me. For more information contact Christine Hosking Christine.Hosking@gmail.com Mobile: 027 283 7671
Page 1 and 2: April 2021 Volume 24 / Issue 1 SNNS
Page 3 and 4: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 3 Redeeming You
Page 5 and 6: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 5 Supporting Po
Page 7 and 8: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 7 Autonomic Dys
Page 9 and 10: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 9 Improved Coll
Page 11 and 12: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 11 Five years o
Page 13: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 13 Driving and
Page 17 and 18: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 17 How did you
Page 19 and 20: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 19 A Never-Say-
Page 21 and 22: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 21 No fear. Bro
Page 23 and 24: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 23 All is for A
Page 25 and 26: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 25 Are you exci
Page 27 and 28: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 27 Telling it L
Page 29 and 30: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 29 What We’re
Page 31 and 32: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 31 A Backpack,
Page 33 and 34: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 33 Burwood Acad
Page 35 and 36: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 35 Thank you to

SNN_April 2021 Issue_Low Res

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