‘A blissful thing’: HCT QiGong program provides new way to connect with nature

In a forest clearing at the Harwich Conservation Trust’s Coy’s Brook Woodlands, a small circle of new friends was seeking deeper connections with nature and a sense of inner peace. For some, it was their first experience with QiGong (pronounced “chi gong”), a traditional practice developed in China thousands of years ago.

QiGong uses “exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being,” according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and “has both psychological and physical components and involves the regulation of the mind, breath, and body’s movement and posture.”

Instructor Andrea Belford of Cape Cod QiGong (capecodqigong.org), made it easy for the Coy’s Brook group to relax and embark on this healing journey.  “Just try to feel the energy in this beautiful conservation land,” she said. “Send your unconditional love out to all beings.”

Guided by Belford, the group worked through a series of slow and gentle movements combining proper posture, healthy breathing and mindfulness, with an emphasis on the five elements of nature (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). There was also a transformational side to the practice, as participants worked to change emotions of sadness and grief into joy and love.

The profound nature of the practice was amplified by the setting. As the sun skipped through clouds and trees waved in the breeze, the humdrum irritations of daily life dropped away. We felt the power of being in the moment, of being together and being part of a connected and loving universe.

“It’s quite powerful, and I think doing it outside brings out that emotion, ease and openness and community, a sense of belonging,” said Andrea Higgins, who has attended several Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) QiGong programs.

After the approximately 45 minute-long QiGong session, Belford led the group on a walk along a beautiful Coy’s Brook trail. High tide filled a nearby marsh and the shimmering vista beyond added to the peaceful feelings within. The group, which started as strangers in the parking lot, were smiling and chatting and making connections.

As we finished, Belford exchanged hugs with some of the participants and talked about the power of QiGong. “When you can give yourself permission to feel the energy coming through you and out of you in this beautiful environment, I don’t think there’s anything much better,” she said. “When I started doing this outside with a group of people, and we were all able to cultivate and harness this energy together, it was just so life-changing for me.”

Speaking about the emotional transformation aspect of QiGong, Belford said “the goal is hopefully to rid ourselves of any stagnant weighing-down energies and emotions that we’re holding onto, things like sadness and grief and even anger. It’s okay to feel those things. But try not to hold on to them. And bring in the alternate emotion to help you deal with those things in a more constructive way.”

Simply put, “it’s a blissful thing.” said Belford.

To sign up for a Connecting in Nature through QiGong program with Andrea Belford, and find out about other great HCT programs, visit harwichconservationtrust.org/walks-events.

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