Qi

In typical "Yes-Ma'am" fashion, I experienced a new-to-me alternative therapy called Qi. (pronounced chee)  Not Qi Gong, just a Qi treatment- in the middle of Regent's Park!  It is an energy treatment that involves acupressure, breathing, and sound therapy.  Apparently this is taken from a South Korean form of martial arts.  Before I get into the details of the Qi treatment, let me give you some background on how I wound up in the middle of a park getting my Qi flowing...

My first interaction with energy work/alternative therapy was when I was seventeen.  I had just experienced my second knee surgery (of four) and a friend's mom offered to do "Healing Touch" on me.  I had no idea what it was, but displayed my first sign of a true "Yes-Ma'am" and agreed to let her "healing-ly touch" my knee. (In fact, Healing Touch is a hands off energy therapy, so really not a lot of touching involved.)  To make a long story short, the treatments were very effective, and I totally bought into all that energy work and most alternative therapies have to offer.  In my adult life, I have taken a few Healing Touch classes and have been extremely open to trying alternative therapies- from Massage, to Acupuncture, to Reiki, to Rolfing...now Qi.

I definitely did not come to London to get energy work.  I journeyed into Regent's Park for the London Green Fair, and one thing lead to another..next thing I know I'm laying on a massage table in the middle of the park getting a Qi treatment.

As you've read in my last post (London Green Fair) I was enjoying some delicious food and music when a young lady about my age approached me.  She started talking about Qi and pointed at a blue tent across the park from the music stage and said that's where there is a Qi stand, and I should give it a try.  Who am I to disagree with a fellow fair-goer?  I finished my food and beer, and marched over to the blue tent to check it out.

There were three different options for treatments, with the only difference being the years of experience of the Qi-masters.  Mo' years; mo' money.  I went for the middle Master-not a rookie, but not expensive. The experience was interesting to say the least.  I found myself surrounded by booming Reggae music and gusting winds, in the middle of a park- on a bed, under a canvas tent subject to the hands of a woman with fifteen years of acupressure knowledge.

This woman was pressing hard and deep into my stomach, shoving her fingers between my ribs, and digging the heel of her powerful hands into my belly button-all while making strange burping noises.  She moved down to my legs- every spot that she pressed felt like a terrible Charlie Horse! (I was just thankful she was done digging out my internal organs) She then grabbed my right knee cap on all sides and just started shaking it while exhaling short little breaths through pursed lips.  At this point the backs of my eyelids were flushed red and I just want to jump out of my skin, and off that table. I for sure thought I was going to get a re-taste of the delicious Moroccan food I had consumed!  Of course I just lay there- stoic- trying to breathe deeply and accept the treatment.


After the most intense 20-minutes of my life, I peeled myself off the blue tent ceiling, and opened my eyes to find myself back in my skin, and back on the table.  The woman sat down on the table next to me and described the "OH SWEET JESUS" spots, and gave me more information on Qi, and classes that they offer, etc.  I don't think my sympathetic nervous system was ready to let me listen yet, so I took some pamphlets and, grabbed my jacket and stood up to leave.  Surprisingly, when I stood up- I felt really great!  I felt like I was standing 10-feet tall, and like none of the prodding and strange noises had ever happened.

I wouldn't say Qi is my favorite form of energy work.  The pain, and the abrasive, abrupt movements really had me ready for flight!  However, I can say that my knee felt more loosey-goosey than it had in ages, and I was able to plop back down and enjoy more music and beer and fair energy!