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SLEEPY EYE - Qigong (pronounced Chi kung or Chi gong), an ancient form of Chinese healing was among eight seminar subjects Saturday at the Women's Expo at Sleepy Eye Medical Center.

Wellness Coach and Qijong Practitioner DeeAnn Gieseke of Sleepy Eye demonstrated the simple meditation designed to remove blockages and balance energy around the body.

Blockages can be caused by emotions, nutrition, weather changes, the environment, injuries and improper medication that can result in sickness, pain and other health problems according to a pamphlet distributed by Gieseke.

She studied four levels of Qigong at Normandale Community College to become a Level 1 instructor and Certified Master Healer.

Qigong can help heal many physical ailments according to Gieseke.

Other expo hand-outs included information on:

Advance Health Care Directives, using Minnesota law to inform others of your health care wishes.

Signs and symptoms of H1N1 novel influenza and how to manage them from the Minnesota Department of Health.

Beating stress with slow, deep breathing; counting to 15, meditation, visualization, yoga, exercise and staying hydrated with herbal teas and water.

Preventing back pain with a healthy diet and weight, staying active, stretching, proper posture, wearing comfortable, low-heeled shoes, sleeping on a medium-firmness mattress and not smoking.

Vaccinations for adults by age group.

Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS).

Cardio Chair Aerobics.

Basket weaving.

Virtual make overs.

Natural family planning.

Cleaning without chemicals.

Free blood pressure checks.

Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.