11th Annual World Congress on Qi Gong

San Francisco, CA: People from all over the San Francisco Bay Area will be participating in the 11th annual World Congress on Qi Gong and American Qi Gong Association Conference on September 19-21, 2008. The event will be held at the Golden Gateway Holiday Inn in San Francisco.

This event serves to educate the public about the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Events will include Tai Chi and Qi Gong demonstrations for the public by renowned Masters, group Qi cultivation, and community vendor booths. The event is free and open to the public, with part of the proceeds benefiting victims of the earthquake in Sichuan, China. All levels of experience are welcome.

This year’s conference theme is, “Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Individual and Planetary Health: An Essential Balance”. The theme addresses the planetary plight of environmental degradation and global warming. In Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine and basic Taoist theory, the actions of human beings integrally affect the planet and vice versa. This fusion of science and traditional healing arts is one of the primary objectives for the Congress.

This prominent event helps raise awareness about the benefits of using these exercises for health and stress management. The World Qi Gong Conference brings people together across economic and geopolitical lines, coming together to celebrate health and healing.

For centuries, millions of people in China have used Tai Chi and Qi Gong as a form of daily exercise: two of the most effective balance and coordination conditioners in the world. The slow and gentle movements and postures of these ancient therapies release blocks in the body’s energy channels and keep muscles strong and supple. The rhythmic movements of the muscles, spine and joints are designed to remove the tense state of muscles to let “Qi,” or vital energy, and blood circulate freely throughout the body. Tai Chi and Qi Gong’s gentle movements and low physical impact make it a great activity for aging bodies, those recovering from injury, young children or people looking to change up their exercise routine.

Studies on Tai Chi have shown it to boost the immune system; slow the aging process; lower blood pressure; reduce the incidence of anxiety, depression, fatigue and overall mood disturbances; minimize the effects of chronic conditions such as allergies and asthma; and improve breathing capacity. Tai Chi has also been recommended as an adjunct therapy for people suffering from chronic pain, AIDS, arthritis, insomnia, asthma, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and psychosomatic illnesses. Other benefits of Tai Chi include building strength, restoring balance, increasing flexibility and reducing stress.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 70 percent of all illness is due to unmanaged stress. Because mind/body therapies such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong can treat or prevent these illnesses, the integration of such modalities into our health institutions could save the United States $700 billion per year, and save trillions per year worldwide.

American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM), a co-sponsor of this event and a non-profit institution, is one of the nation’s oldest and most prominent acupuncture colleges. Since 1980, has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine. In addition to its graduate curriculum, ACTCM offers continuing education, public education, community outreach and clinical services in acupuncture, massage and herbal medicine. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

For more information on this spectacular visual event, please call (415) 355-1601 x12.

Rebecca Wilkowski, BA, CMT, DONA
Director of Communications
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
College: 455 Arkansas Street • (415) 355-1601 x12
Clinic: 450 Connecticut Street • (415) 282-9603
San Francisco, CA 94107
www.actcm.edu