A woman's medical challenges led her to develop a unique yoga style that incorporates qigong. Qi (chi) is the life force within each of us, an energy that's recognized in several cultures. An imbalance in our qi becomes manifested in health problems.

Brenda Schnable is a former Wood River resident who lives in Cary, NC. A yoga therapist and instructor and certified in Qigong, she wrote two books on the influence of qi on the subtle (energy) body.

She wrote her first book, "Access Your Inner Power: Awakening Your Health and Vitality," (2012) because she wanted to help others understand their energies. "I thought if it was confusing to me, then a person who is non-yogic would be even more confused." Qi is described from the Western (bioelectric), Indian (Ayurvedic), Yoga (pranayama), and Chinese (qigong) perspectives.

Brenda had been struggling with hives for two years in the early 1990s before coming across Ayurveda. She discovered her Pitta dosha had increased in relation to her vata and kapha doshas. Once she recognized that, she was on her way to overcoming her skin disorder.

In 2007, on the brink of having a bone marrow biopsy to test for leukemia, a Qigong energy instructor and friend recommended she practice a series of exercises for two weeks beforehand. When she went back in for the biopsy, the doctor tested her blood and it came back perfect.

"That told me there was something to this energy stuff."

An E-RYT500 with Yoga Alliance, Brenda developed a style of yoga that incorporates qigong. The result is her second book, "Qi Infused Yoga,"(2014) which combines Qigong movements and yoga asanas into one flowing practice. Gentle yet energizing, the book benefits any age group but is especially good for the 35+ and baby boomer generation.

"I'm 53, so I have wear and tear on my body, too. It's a moving class. For instance, we might flow from Qigong to Warrior 2. Warrior 2 energetically opens the first four Chakras, opens the hips and shoulders, and improves respiratory and circulatory systems if held long enough back. From Warrior 2, we move to Qigong, then settle in, feeling relaxed but also tingly from the energy that's stimulated."

Brenda says her goal is to let people know Western medicine is not a bad thing.

"If you catch an ailment early enough, then Eastern medicine is the way to go but Western medicine is good for trauma such as a snake bite. Something like heart disease develops over a dozen years and manifests as an energy imbalance in your subtle body."

Brenda's books can be ordered through her website (myinnerpower.com) or Amazon. There also is a Kindle version of "Qi Infused Yoga" and a DVD will be available later this year. Brenda conducts workshops throughout the country and has a YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/myinnerpoweryoga.

   

End your weekend with yoga and carry the positive feeling over to Monday.

Suzanne Cogan will teach a 90-minute class beginning June 22, 6-7:30 pm. Class is $15 or unlimited card.