Body awareness reduces tension and stress

How to stay positive and fit during times when corona measures are tightened? We believe that a balance between mind, body, and spirit is even more important now and in this article, we explain how we put that into practice. In this way, besides cultivating inner strength, we work on skills such as perseverance and discipline and reduce the stress levels in our body.

KEI Kung Fu opened its doors at the beginning of 2020. Exactly the moment the world went into lockdown due to the pandemic. Since then, our flexibility has been thoroughly tested, and we use our experience from previous lockdowns to get the best out of our academy, our students, and ourselves even in these times.

Qigong classes now more important than ever

We hear and see in our environment that many people experience tension. Frustrations about the current measures and uncertainty about the future. Unconsciously, this builds up tension in our bodies. Taking rest and listening to your body is extra important now. We also receive this need a lot from our students. Especially to create more body awareness, KEI Kung Fu therefore offers online Qigong classes. During these classes, body, mind, and spirit are addressed.

Unconsciously, many people have incorrect posture, breathing, or ways of moving. Many people also tense up incorrectly, increasing tension in the body. Many exercises we do are therefore focused on relaxation, such as breathing and meditation exercises. Additionally, we practice movements that are often underestimated, such as standing. Students with experience know how taxing standing can be for your muscles. The biggest challenge is to learn to let go and slowly recognize which movements you can improve in daily life.

“We want to challenge new students to join the online Qigong classes. Fortunately, they are enthusiastic and even respond very positively to online lessons” – Lai-Wing Hau, sifu at KEI Kung Fu

Strength and stretch and double lessons

Besides the online Qigong classes mainly focused on relaxation, we now also offer Strength & Stretch classes. These classes focus on physically strengthening the body and stretching muscles. By strengthening certain muscle groups, muscle and back pain decrease, and you improve your posture. Additionally, you increase your range of motion. This gives you more mobility when practicing Kung Fu. All in all, the strength and stretch classes also contribute to a healthy posture and keep your body fit and flexible.

Kung Fu classes in the morning, what are the benefits?

Last summer, KEI Kung Fu already started offering morning classes. Students find it pleasant to start the day with a Kung Fu class, which is especially convenient now. Taking Kung Fu classes in the morning has many benefits. For everyone, we like to list these benefits again:

• When you exercise in the morning, you immediately set the tone for the rest of your day. This makes you more motivated to continue the healthy start of the day
• During Kung Fu classes, you are actively engaged, releasing endorphins that make you feel happier and start the day in a good mood
• Movement stimulates healthy blood circulation. This sends more oxygen-rich blood to your brain, improving your concentration
• By taking Kung Fu classes in the morning, adrenaline is released, making you feel more energetic. It is also possible that you sleep better at night because you no longer need to exercise in the evening
• By exercising in the morning, you have more time for other things in the evening.

“By regularly asking our students what they need at the moment, we respond to their needs. For example, we now offer 2 lessons back-to-back in the morning so our students can make the most of the morning classes” – Lai-Wing Hau

We would like to encourage everyone, if your work does not allow you to attend an afternoon class, to join the morning classes or online classes in the evening. Body awareness is more important than ever in these times and helps you get through the winter and measures relaxed and fit. Check our schedule for all times.

We hope to see you soon at KEI Kung Fu, in the morning, afternoon, or online!