Rest and Digest, Relax and Enjoy

 Here I am enjoying my THIRD surprise birthday cake in one week!  I usually eat a very healthy diet, but can never resist Zella’s famous homemade chocolate whipped cream cake.

If you take my class, you’ve heard me talk about moving out of “fight or flight”(stress) mode and into “rest and digest”. What this refers to is the fact that as we start to move, breathe, and perhaps most importantly, relax Our energy is channeled into the digestive system, where it fuels our metabolism and transforms the food we eat into usable nutrients.  When we’re stressed, however, our energy is directed away from the digestive system. This can lead to all sorts of digestive problems; it also compromises the metabolism. (Remember that study of how Tai Chi/Qigong has been proven to reduce waist circumference?) So, yes, not only do we relax and feel great and full of energy when we do Qigong, we can also better handle those occasional treats! It’s all about balance. Just keep moving and relaxing, and keep that good energy flowing.