Tis the Season

Traditional Chinese Exercise for Health

All Classes in the Cowichan Valley *unless stated

Wild Goose Qigong (Chi Gong)

Gentle movement • Calms your mind • Heals internal organs • Develops fl exibility Mondays 9 -10 am Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm (combined Qigong and Chun Yuen) Wednesdays 10-11:15 am Fridays 10-11:15 am (Victoria)* Northern Shaolin Chun Yuen Quan

Dynamic movement • Improves posture • Increases energy •

Strengthens bones

Tuesdays 6 pm - 7 pm (combined Qigong and Chun Yuen)*

Wednesdays 9 am - 10 am

250 748 4060 rivendellrhythm@shaw.ca

www.WildGooseQigongCentre.com

Winter is commonly referred to as “cold and flu season”. Many people think that getting sick when the weather changes is quite normal. However, “normal” is when your body is in a state of homeostasis, balance. Winter can bring about some habits that might affect our immunity. We tend to gravitate towards heavier, fatty, fried or creamy foods and reduce our intake of healthier foods. This can greatly decrease our intake of antioxidants and immunesupportive nutrients , which can increase our risk for catching colds and flu. We tend to drink less water in cooler months, and slow down or completely stop our regular exercise routines, as well as spend more time indoors.

How can we support our bodies during this season? • Drink plenty of water daily. This is essential. We might not feel as thirsty in the colder weather, but water is important to help flush impurities out of our systems and support detoxification. Try hot herbal teas or adding electrolytes to water if you have trouble with plain water. • Eat plenty of vegetables daily. A variety of vegetables including sulphur-containing foods such as onions, garlic, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and cabbage are important for immune health. Colourful vegetables also contain many antioxidant properties to help keep you healthy. • Maintain a regular exercise routine. It might be hard to get the motivation to go for a walk when its cold or blustery outside, but you don’t need to stop your activities altogether. Try scheduling your exercise at a different time of day. A lunchtime walk or run is a great option to give yourself a boost in the afternoon, when you may feel a lag of energy. A membership to a gym or online fitness classes are also great options. Essentially, make it convenient for you but just DO IT.

• Make sure you have adequate sleep. A healthy immune system depends on the ability of your body to rest, recuperate and recharge.

If you find you are having a hard time maintaining a healthy eating pattern, and find yourself catching colds often, temporary supplement intake may be helpful. Some of the most important ones are: • *Vitamin C – I recommend at least 500mg daily for health maintenance, and higher doses for acute immune support.

*Multi-minerals including Zinc, Selenium, Iodine, Sulphur - essential for cell function and immune support

What habits are you choosing that are contributing to low immunity? Do you have regular intake of sugar, alcohol, refined /fast foods, and stress? Remember, wellness begins with awareness! Happy Holidays!

You can book a consultation with Silvia at sageheartnutrition@ gmail.com or visit her website at sageheartnutrition.wordpress.com