Find your Fun & Reduce Anxiety

Have you found yourself feeling anxious and foggy-headed this past Winter?

Just in time for Spring, we will delve deep into the energy boosting ancient Toaist form of Qi Gong ; the 5 Animal Frolics. This flow celebrates the energy of animals by mimicking their movements, while bringing our mind and body ease.

Qi Gong is said to originate from the dances of early Wu Shaman in China. In their dances, shamans used animal movements to induce trance states for communicating with the spirit world.

Many of the movements such as “Parting the Clouds”, “Shaking the Wild Horse’s Mane” and “Wise Owl turns Head to eliminate fatigue” specifically reference animals and elements of nature.

In one exercise such as the “Crane spreads Wings”, you move like a tall elegant bird, finding your balance, feeling its spreading wings and the lightness in your body.

Attuning to the rhythms of nature will amplify our Qi Gong for April.

Even though the exercises can be playful and light, Qi Gong offers some seriously powerful health benefits that are accessible to everyone.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Qi Gong is a gentle movement meditation that is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Some of Qi Gong’s physical benefits include boosting metabolism, balancing hormones, improving flexibility and fitness, aiding digestion and increasing your overall energy levels.

Mentally, Qi Gong will help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.

The 5 Animal Frolics allow us to cultivate the animals’ energetic gifts, bringing harmony within all of the body’s energy systems. Using the 5 Element Theory, each of these animals is linked to a season, a time of day, an organ pair, a sense, a flavour, an emotion and much more.

WHAT ARE THE 5 ANIMALS?

Let’s break down the animals, their corresponding organs and some ways your health can benefit from this month’s energy update.

THE TIGER

First, we will draw power, flexibility and flow from the tiger. The tiger is associated with the wood element, which is also linked to the liver and gallbladder. When you practice tiger, you give yourself a healthy and natural way to release anger, becoming confident, powerful and assertive. If you are stuck sitting at a desk all day, and/or looking to prevent arthritis, practicing the tiger will greatly benefit you.

Chi Flow with Jo will give you the tools to use the tiger’s claw to release tension in the shoulders and chest, strengthen tendons and joints in the hand and increase gripping strength by generating a powerful surge of Qi energy in the hands and fingers.

THE BEAR

Next, the Bear. Chi Flow with Jo will teach you how to channel the bear coming out of hibernation by reconnecting with the present moment and releasing anxiety and worry.

The bear’s movements will benefit your spleen and stomach, helping to receive the benefits of the earth’s bounty and easing digestion.

The bear is heavy and grounded to the earth, so its movements will help to balance the earth element. Finding this balance will enable you to start your Spring off by rediscovering your nurturing, relaxed and social self.

THE MONKEY

Next, the monkey movements will benefit the heart and small intestine with the playful joy and exuberance of the fire element. Mimicking the light and spirited movements of the monkey promotes healthy blood circulation in the vessels and the meridians, while also encouraging your inner child to express itself.

THE CRANE

Next, the lungs are responsible for self protection and self-preservation. The crane’s movements, with its long legs and outstretched wings, benefit the lungs and large intestine, helping expansive openness and deep breathing.

Mirroring the crane opens the lungs, releasing grief and sadness, and enabling you to expand your capacity of breath.

THE DEER

Finally, the deer’s movements benefit the kidney and bladder, as well as bringing quiet and stillness. The deer is a prey animal, always aware of its surroundings yet never overwhelmed; it is calm and curious. The emotion associated with the deer is fear, so practising the deer will allow you to release that fear and become more clear minded.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

How Sound Healing Supports Hormonal Balance & Slows Ageing After Menopause

Energy Update, Qi Gong Energy Exercises

How Sound Healing Supports Hormonal Balance & Slows Ageing After Menopause

As we step into November in Chi Flow with Jo, our focus turns to hormonal balance and longevity. For many women, especially post-menopause, the question becomes: how can I stay strong, flexible, and emotionally balanced as I age?

One powerful answer lies in sound healing.

Recently, I spoke with Caroline Flavin of Alchemy of Sound, who has been working with sound and vibration for over 20 years. She shared how crystal bowls, tuning forks, and even simple humming can profoundly support women through hormonal transitions.

Sound Healing & Hormonal Shifts

Menopause and post-menopause often bring stress, anxiety, temperature fluctuations, and disrupted sleep. These challenges are closely linked with elevated cortisol and a nervous system under strain.

Caroline explained that sound baths, through the resonance of crystal bowls, guide the brain into slower wave states, alpha and theta, similar to deep relaxation or meditation.

This shift activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body to lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and find a state where true healing and restoration can occur.

For women navigating hormonal changes, this is more than relaxation, it’s a pathway to balance, calm, and longevity.

Vibration, Energy & Flow

Chi Flow with Jo uses breath and movement to circulate qi, the vital energy of life. Sound works in harmony with this: instead of moving energy with the body, the vibration moves through the waters of the body, blood, lymph, and cellular fluids, carrying resonance deep into our tissues.

Just as we feel music reverberate in our bones at a concert, sound healing allows us to literally vibrate into balance. For women post-menopause, this offers a gentle yet powerful way to stay connected, flexible, and resilient, physically and emotionally.

Tuning Forks & Hormonal Points

Caroline also works with planetary tuning forks, rooted in both ancient and modern traditions.

Applied to specific meridian points, these vibrations can support symptoms of peri- and post-menopause, helping restore balance to the body’s internal rhythms.

It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always have to come from doing—sometimes, it comes from allowing the body to receive.

Everyday Sound Rituals for Longevity

Caroline suggests simple practices for daily life:

Hum or chant “Om” first thing in the morning or before bed to soothe your nervous system.
Pay attention to the soundscape around you, swap doom-scrolling and digital noise for birdsong, leaves rustling, or calming music.
Try sound baths online or in person, where vibration can ripple through your whole being.

These small rituals, especially when paired with Chi Flow, become longevity practices, keeping you emotionally balanced, physically strong, and connected to life’s natural rhythm.

Experience Sound Healing in November

I’m delighted that Caroline Flavin of Alchemy of Sound will join us for November’s Chi Flow mid-monthly health talk, offering an online sound bath and discussion on hormonal balance and longevity.

✨ This talk is free for all Chi Flow members.

✨Non-members can buy a ticket, and if you later decide to join Chi Flow, we’ll refund your ticket price. https://joannefaulkner.ie/online-talk/

WATCH THE PODCAST

In the full podcast, learn more about sound healing and how it affects our hormonal balance below:

Join Us This Month in Chi Flow with Jo to balance hormones & boost energy and longevity

Why not join Chi Flow today, so you can experience Caroline’s sound bath, our daily morning Qi Gong practice, and a supportive community of women navigating midlife and beyond?

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below).

Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support on your journey to an emotionally healthy heart and attend Caroline’s live talk and sound bath for FREE.
To work with Caroline click HERE

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms. The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Unlocking the Power of Qi Gong: How to Bring Energy, Balance, and Strength into Your Everyday Life

Energy Update, HEALTH & WELLNESS

Discovering the Magic of Qi Gong

What if you had a hidden superpower—an untapped energy source within you that could bring balance, strength, and clarity to your everyday life? That’s exactly what Qi Gong offers.

For women over 45, this ancient practice isn’t just about movement; it’s about reclaiming vitality, confidence, and inner peace. And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be willing to connect with your own energy, your Qi, and let it flow.

This month at Chi Flow with Jo, we’re honored to welcome Sheena Woods, founder of the Cork School of Shiatsu and an exceptional Qi Gong teacher. Sheena’s journey into Qi Gong is an inspiring one, rooted in her passion for martial arts and her deep understanding of the body’s natural energy systems.

Like many of us, she first encountered Qi—without even knowing it—long before she officially discovered the practice of Qi Gong.

Growing up with two older brothers, Sheena took up judo as a way to hold her own, quickly realizing that power wasn’t just about size—it was about energy. That same principle applies to Qi Gong.

You don’t have to be physically strong to feel powerful. Instead, by connecting with your breath, aligning your body, and moving with intention, you can cultivate an energy that makes you feel grounded, centered, and in control—whether you’re walking down the street or navigating the challenges of daily life.

Qi Gong isn’t just an exercise; it’s a way of being. As Sheena describes, the real magic happens when you take Qi Gong beyond your dedicated practice time and weave it into your everyday routine. Imagine feeling calm and balanced while hanging out the laundry, centered while cooking dinner, or relaxed while driving in traffic.

It’s about bringing mindfulness and flow into every moment, transforming ordinary tasks into opportunities for connection and self-care.

And here’s the secret: it’s easier than you think. By simply shifting your awareness, focusing on your breath, your posture, and your energy, you can begin to feel the profound effects of Qi Gong in your daily life. Whether you’re looking for relief from stress, a way to boost your vitality, or a practice that brings joy and ease into your body, Qi Gong is a tool that every woman should have in her wellness toolkit.

WuJi – The Art of Standing Still with Power

One of the most profound yet simplest Qi Gong practices is WuJi—the art of standing in effortless alignment. It may seem like ‘just standing,’ but WuJi is a powerhouse of energy cultivation. This foundational stance is the perfect way to recharge, reset, and realign your energy at any time of the day. Whether you’re waiting in a queue, standing in your kitchen, or taking a moment of stillness in your garden, WuJi allows you to tap into deep reservoirs of strength and balance.

Sheena describes WuJi as her go-to practice, something she returns to again and again. Why? Because it’s easy to do yet infinitely rich in its benefits. By standing with your feet hip-width apart, your shoulders relaxed, and your body soft yet aligned, you allow Qi to flow freely. Tension dissolves, stiffness melts away, and your energy moves with ease.

It’s a simple shift with profound results. When you soften your body and maintain an open posture, you create space for the Qi to move, preventing stagnation and blockages that lead to discomfort.

Often, our joints accumulate tension, making us feel heavy and sluggish.

But with WuJi, you allow everything to flow, reconnecting with the earth beneath you and the vast energy of the universe above.

The real challenge? Staying present. As Sheena explains, the mind will naturally wander—thinking about groceries, dinner plans, or a twinge in your back. But the power of WuJi lies in the practice of returning to stillness, again and again. Over time, this cultivates a deep reservoir of energy, like charging your inner battery, leaving you feeling vibrant and centered no matter what the day brings.

And then, from this stillness, all movement arises. WuJi is the foundation from which Qi Gong’s flowing forms and spontaneous movements emerge. It’s the birthplace of energy, intention, and flow.

Sheena shares a profound realization from her own journey, an ‘aha’ moment that confirmed Qi Gong’s power. During a deep meditation, she experienced a sensation of complete dissolution, as if she had expanded beyond her physical form, merging with the universe. In that moment, she understood that we are only as limited as we believe ourselves to be.

Qi Gong teaches us that we are more than just our thoughts, our routines, or even our bodies. We are energetic beings, capable of shifting, expanding, and reconnecting with the world in a deeply intuitive way. By practicing WuJi, by standing in alignment with both heaven and earth, we open ourselves to this powerful truth.

The Journey of Teaching and the Flow of Spring Energy

Teaching is one of the most powerful ways to deepen your own practice. This month, Sheena is committing to teaching Chi Flow with Jo, not only to share her wisdom but to deepen her own connection to Qi Gong. Rooting herself in this daily discipline, she embraces the structure of consistent practice—an experience she believes will bring growth and transformation.

Sheena’s approach to morning rituals has evolved over time. With fewer external demands, she now thrives in a fluid routine, consciously breaking old patterns to invite spontaneity. However, she acknowledges that a structured practice like Qi Gong creates a sense of wakefulness, alertness, and presence, qualities that enhance every aspect of life.

April’s practice will focus on the dynamic energy of wood, the element of growth and movement in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

But before diving into the wood element, Sheena will first check in with the water energy, ensuring a strong foundation.

Just as water nourishes the growth of trees, a balanced foundation supports effortless expansion.

A highlight of the month’s practice will be a powerful liver cleanse, a Qi Gong remedy routine passed down by Master Zou. This gentle yet effective series of movements supports the liver, an organ closely tied to the wood element. When liver energy is stagnant, we may experience headaches, tension in the neck and shoulders, or emotional frustration. By opening up this energy pathway, we allow vitality to rise naturally, bringing clarity, flexibility, and ease.

Sheena’s invitation is simple: join her for a month of Chi Flow and experience the profound shifts that arise from consistent practice. Whether you’re new to Qi Gong or a seasoned practitioner, this journey offers the perfect opportunity to align with the energy of spring, embrace new beginnings, and cultivate lasting balance.

WATCH & LISTEN TO THE
ENERGY UPDATE PODCAST

ready to feel the flow?

Join us in April for Liver Cleanse Qi Gong and discover how a daily practice can transform your energy, your health, and your life.

Boost your health and vitality with Chi Flow with Jo—a holistic approach that integrates movement, acupressure, and food medicine. Scroll down to watch the podcast episode and sign up for a FREE online Qi Gong class.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Good Food, Better Sex during Lockdown?

Energy of Food Blog, Home, Recipes

Maybe you made promises to have and to hold, love and cherish your partner till death did you part but I wonder if that included lockdown situations? With the occasional burst of entertainment, mixed with long stretches with no other company, you may not be so beguiled by each other. Nowadays you can Netflix and Chill every night, but I wonder how that is working out for you, how is your relationship now that you are living together 24/7? Are you trying new things or has the boredom of lockdown seeped into the bedroom?

One area in which people do seem to be trying new things is in the kitchen. On social media, it seems like we are all experimenting with food. Everyone is posting their banana bread, buttermilk scones and sourdough starter. There’s lots of playing with food, experimenting and trying new things. With time on our hands, we are changing and adapting to our new situation by refreshing our menu and falling in love with food all over again.

I can teach you how to understand your body and take control of all areas of your health. How to become more body confident, loving your food, loving your body and loving your life.

Courses include: 2 Online Consultations, regular Q&A check in’s, PLUS Copy of Conscious Cookbook sent straight to your door
PLUS 30 Days / 30 Videos – bitesize cookery programs, Chi-Gong exercises, and self-shiatsu acupressure points in your own home.

Choose from:

Romance is something that is on the table at the beginning of a relationship when two people are learning about each other. Couples take each other out to dinner. They cook for each other, curious to discover the other person’s likes and dislikes. Shared food is a shared pleasure, all the more exciting when things are new. However, romance becomes stale when you get stuck in a rut. When you get up at the same time, do the same things, cook the same food, watch the same TV, go to bed with the same routine, and even lovemaking can become repetitive. However allowing change, even promoting change within the relationship will keep it alive. So just like trying new recipes, embrace this COVID-19 altered pace of life during lockdown by trying new things in your relationship. Base your love upon the fundamental truth that everything changes. If a relationship can change, it can remain fresh and romantic.

Perhaps this is why there has been a sharp rise in sales of the book Good Food: Better Sex. This book mixes the health benefits of food in Traditional Chinese Medicine with sexual health practices found in Tantra and Taoism. There are fun simple exercises with food such as blindfold play with home-made chocolate covered strawberries. There is a recipe for natural lube with guidance on how to use it, and plenty of practical exercises to bond you and your partner from different ways of touch and ways to say yes and no.

Good Food: Better Sex focuses on how the body responds to food using flavours, colours, seasons and the senses. It makes it easy and straightforward for you and your partner to try something new and exciting with food.

So instead of eating your dinner in front of the TV together, why not bring back the romance and surprise each other by trying something new? When we emerge from Lockdown, you can look back at this time as having enjoyed deepening connections, Good Food and hopefully Better Sex.

Then there is the food. With over 100 different recipes to improve all areas of sexual health, try tasting something new together from watermelon and beetroot juice with its viagra effects, to the gentle spices of onion pilaf and Kashmiri cauliflower which boost immunity and ease the digestive system. Try the oat milk pancakes with pecans and natural yogurt for a perfect Sunday brunch to calm the nervous system, boost fertility, and raise libido.

Oatmilk Pancakes (page 97 of Good Food: Better Sex)

• 100g oats

• 100g buckwheat flour

• 350ml milk (almond and brown rice milk also works well) 1 egg

• Pinch of salt

Liquidize the oats, buckwheat flour, eggs and milk so that it becomes a milky mixture. Make sure there are no lumps before leaving to rest for at least half an hour. In a large non-stick pan, melt a nob of butter and coat the pan with it. Pour a ladleful (approx. 50ml) of the prepared pancake mixture onto the pan, tilting it so that it covers the base with a thin coating. These are a crepe style pancake rather than a thick American pancake. When bubbles begin to form on the top of the batter in the pan, flip and cook for another couple of minutes. Slide from the pan onto a plate, dolloping natural yogurt on top with a drizzle of maple syrup and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

💗 Ready to Join?

Click here to become a member of Chi Flow with Jo → CLICK HERE

Or drop in for a class and feel it for yourself (sign up below). Join the Chi Flow with Jo community for live sessions, practice, and support.

Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.

Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.

The information provided should not be considered medical advice.

Find your Fun & Reduce Anxiety

Have you found yourself feeling anxious and foggy-headed this past Winter?