Gotta post this here:

Qigong practitioner welcomes pets
by Nicholas Backus Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 11:10 AM CDT
LINO LAKES — Darcie Gustine twitches her hand over Marilee's head, an 8-year-old Yorkie who was paralyzed by another dog's bite several years ago.

In moments, Marilee is laying on her side, prostrate and seemingly at ease. The dog is receiving energy from Gustine, who continues to wave and twitch her hand nearby, periodically making a scooping motion.

“The two main energy channels are the kidneys and the spine,” Gustine explained. “When you clear those you can get 90 percent of the energy blockage.”

Gustine, of Minnetonka, practices the healing art of Qigong. Last week, she performed the ancient Chinese practice for pets during an open house at Circle of Healing Arts in Lino Lakes.

“Animals are the easiest to work with,” Gustine said. “They have a highly developed sixth sense. If anyone is going to be sensitive to energy work, it’s animals.”

Marilee recovered from her paralysis through acupuncture, according to Gustine. She works with animals who are recovering from injury or illness, or whose owners are worried about their pet's behavior.

Michael Gallagher of White Bear Lake brought his 11-year-old dog Frannie for hip soreness.

“She thinks she's a puppy and she's not,” Gallagher said. “After a hard day of playing, she's conked for the day.”

Gustine believes dogs are physically in tune with their owners. For example, allergies or hip issues in humans can be felt by their pets.

“Pets can share energy or imbalances in your body if they love you unconditionally,” she said.

Jacque Rodkewich of Minneapolis couldn't bring her dog, Jonesy, but toted a picture of him for Gustine to view. It didn't matter, being that Gustine claimed to feel Jonesy’s energy through the presence of his owner.

“I'm feeling a lot of it with the lungs,” Gustine said as she twitched her hand over Jonesy's picture. Rodkewich said she believes Jonesy is a bit “jumpy.”

Gustine is well aware of the criticism her practice receives in light of modern medicine, but it doesn't stop her. She even works with animals over the phone in places as far away as France. She feels a “vibrating” energy in her hand when clearing energy blockage, but her work doesn't require hand movements; she can do it through her mind alone, she said.

Qigong was apparently founded 5,000 years ago in China. Its goal is to improve energy and wellness through gentle movement, meditation and sound. Gustine can be reached at 612-590-3789 or visit her website at www.darciegustine.com.