Why Qigong Could Help Us Age Well

South Australia’s Week of Ageing Well (1–7 October) coincides with the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on 1 October. This time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on what "ageing well" actually means.

For me, at this season of my life, ageing well isn’t simply about staying physically healthy or trying to hold back the years. It is an ongoing practice - a intentional cultivation of the body, mind and spirit.

What Ageing Well Means to Me

To me, ageing well is a multi-layered concept. It means:

• Having a clear and focused mind while continuing to expand our perspectives.

• Learning to let go of things that no longer serve us.

• Keeping an open heart filled with compassion, kindness and understanding.

• Honouring, respecting and accepting reality exactly as it is.

• Doing the best we can at any given moment, with the knowledge and tools available to us.

• Remaining centred and grounded when life around us feels chaotic.

• Learning and growing from our experiences, gaining wisdom and hopefully becoming a little wiser along the way.

• Practising gratitude for what we have and continuing to be in awe of the beauty in the world around us.

  
  

Ageing Well is Something We Cultivate

There is no single secret to living a long, happy and fulfilling life. Instead, it is built on many small things we do daily to support ourselves as we grow older.

Good self-care remains fundamental. This includes eating nutrient-dense food, getting adequate sleep, moving our bodies, managing stress and using complementary medicines or nutritional supplements wisely.

However, ageing well goes far beyond our physical habits. It is also about cultivating resilience, emotional balance, memory, concentration and deep connections with others. This is exactly where I believe Qigong fits beautifully into the picture.

Why Qigong?

Qigong has a rich history within Chinese health traditions and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a practice dedicated to nurturing and maintaining vitality.

It combines gentle movement, posture, breathing and focused awareness. Rather than pushing the body harder and faster, Qigong encourages us to slow down, become aware of our physical presence and move in a controlled, mindful way.

Bridging the Traditional and Modern Perspectives

Traditional Qigong practices incorporate concepts such as Qi (vital energy), Yin and Yang, the Five Elements and the relationships between different organ systems. From this traditional viewpoint, the practice aims to encourage the smooth movement of Qi, reduce stagnation and support balance throughout the entire body.

From a modern clinical perspective, many of the qualities developed through Qigong are particularly relevant as we grow older:

• Better balance and coordination

• Improved mobility and gentle strengthening

• Enhanced body awareness and relaxation

• Sharper mental focus

  
  

Perhaps just as importantly, regular classes give us an opportunity to keep learning, connect with a like-minded community and take some essential time away from the busyness of everyday life.

Because movements can easily be adapted to different levels of mobility and physical ability, Qigong does not need to be strenuous to be deeply worthwhile. It is a highly accessible way for many people to continue moving comfortably as they age.

Ageing Well - One Practice at a Time

For me, ageing well isn't about trying to remain young forever. It is about continuing to move, learn, adapt, connect and appreciate life.

Qigong is a beautiful practice that brings many of these elements together: movement and stillness, strength and softness, concentration and relaxation, individual practice and community.

In many ways, ageing well itself is a little like Qigong:

• We keep practising.

• We keep learning.

• We adapt when we need to.

  
  

And hopefully, with experience, we become a little wiser along the way.

Come and Try Qigong

If you are interested in Qigong and would like to experience its benefits for yourself, you are warmly welcome to join us. Here is our confirmed class schedule from October to December.

📍 Mount Compass

• Where: Mount Compass Anglican Church

• When: Mondays at 9:30 am (75-minute session)

• October: Monday 12th

• November: Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd

• December: Mondays 7th and 14th

  
  

📍 Willunga

• Where: Bethany Hall

• When: 11:00 am (75-minute session)

  
  

• Tuesday Classes:

  • October: Tuesdays 6th, 13th and 27th

  • November: Tuesdays 3rd, 10th and 17th

  • December: Tuesdays 8th and 15th

    
    

• Thursday Classes:

  • October: Thursdays 1st, 8th, 15th and 29th

  • November: Thursdays 5th, 12th and 19th

  • December: Thursdays 10th and 17th

    
    

💰 Investment & Bookings

• Cost: $20 per class

  
  

• To Book: Contact me on 0488 356 313 or email chi@churnchiqigong.com.au

• Walk-ins: Absolutely welcome! You can just show up on the day.