Quiet Action: Quiet Qigong Workshop June 23rd

Within traditional Chinese medicine and qigong, quietness is not so much the lack of movement as it is the beginning of the proper movement. Developing quietness and the consequent rhythm of movement and stillness in life provides a powerful basis for cultivating health.
One of the simplest to learn yet most profound qigong practices, Quiet Gong forms the basis for all other practices within Medical Qigong. It trains the body, breath and mind to adapt to change and face challenges with inner stability and clarity. This is the exercise that is most commonly used by my teacher as well as in my practice to help people restore their health.
This workshop will include discussions on the philosophy of quietness, applying yin yang (quietness/activity) principles to daily activities and detailed instruction on the practices of Quiet Qigong.
The workshop will be on Saturday, June 23rd at the Center for Traditional Health Arts from 1:30-3:30. $35, $30 for members. Registration fee includes a CD with audio instructions and a follow-along practice session and follow-up articles. Please contact me for more information (707) 763-8040.

Medical Qigong Ongoing Group - Second Meeting 10/15/11

We had a great first meeting of the new ongoing Medical Qigong group. We covered a variety of related topics, including upper spine mobility, developing whole body movement within the Moving Qigong, a demonstration and discussion of the whole system and our group practice, of course.

At our second meeting on October 15th we will continue to look at mobility issues, begin to work on some progressions for developing hip and leg mobility and strength and analyze the Second Moving Gong (Taiji Kai He Gong), as well as group practice and discussions!

The group is pretty full but feel free to contact me if you are interested in participating.

Swimming Fish Gong & Monkey Paw Gong Demo

These are two advanced Medical Qigong exercises that I was asked to demonstrate.

Ongoing Medical Qigong Group

First Meeting, September 17th from 9:30-11:30, $25

My goal with this ongoing group is to provide support for qigong development through creating a group dynamic, discussing topics that relate to Medical Qigong and Chinese Medicine in depth, teaching intermediate and advanced exercises and providing a gathering point for discussion between group members.

Group practice is an important complement to daily practice and will form the foundation of the ongoing group. In this first meeting we will also discuss the nature of qi, different levels of qigong practice and the background of this system, and I will demonstrate the complete moving gong of this system with commentary.

Please contact me with any questions.

Moving Gong

I've had students asking for a video demonstration of some of the basic movements of the Moving Gong - so here is a brief demonstration of the Three Gates Gong, First Moving Gong and Second Moving Gong.

Medical Qigong Counting Patterns

I am excited to finally have this Medical Qigong practice aid available! This downloadable CD (MP3 file format) is meant to be played on your iPod, iPad or computer while you practice. It follows the format of the weekly qigong class that I taught for years, with counting patterns, verbal cues and relaxing background music.

This format allows great flexibility, as you can choose to practice just the Quiet Gong, one of two options for the Moving Gong, or a complete sequence of the Quiet Gong through the Moving Gong.

There is a sample of the first counting pattern and more information at our Online Shop

Two New Classes on June 4th

Medical Qigong - Moving Gong - Saturday June 4th from 9:30-11:30

This workshop will cover the philosophy of movement within Medical Qigong, the First Full Moving Qigong (Taiji Dongzuo Gong) of Comprehensive Medical Qigong, the Second Moving Gong parts 1 & 2 and adapting to seasonal and environmental changes with Qigong.

The fee for the workshop is $35.

Nourishing Life - Chinese Medicine Principles of Food and Nutrition - Saturday June 4th from 1:30-3:30

Some of the most common questions that I hear in the office are:

How come I ate just what I was "supposed" to and felt bad?

What foods should I eat and avoid?

What is the best diet to follow?

The answer to these questions is simpler than most people think. It is all about understanding your own body and following a few simple principles that allow you to eat the foods that work for you in a way that works for you.

This workshop will cover practical Chinese Medicine principles of food and nutrition that are easily applied to modern life, optimizing your diet to meet your individual needs and goals, eating with the seasons, and balanced eating to enjoy your food!

The fee for the workshop is $35

If both workshops are going to be taken, the fee for the day is $55.

Medical Qigong Workshop in the Garden - May 22

This introductory Medical Qigong workshop will be at Quarryhill Botanical Gardens in Glen Ellen. This is the first introductory workshop that I have taught in almost two years and I am excited to have it in such a beautiful setting. We'll cover Quiet Qigong, Three Gates Gong and Closing Gong with an emphasis on using nature for healing.

This is a benefit for the Garden. You can register by calling (707) 996-3166 or visiting their website at http://www.quarryhillbg.org/home.html

The class is scheduled for May 22nd from 9:30-11:30.

Opening the Middle Dan Tian in 3 Gates Gong

Qigong Demo at Dr. Rong Rong Zheng's Banquet Part 2

Here is the second part of the moving qigong demonstration I did at Dr. Zheng's banquet. This shows the advanced moving gong and closing gong (and lots of waiters - there was so much fantastic food!). See below for part 1.

Qigong Demo at Dr. Rong Rong Zheng's Banquet

I've studied with my teacher, Dr. Rong Rong Zheng for the past 19 years. In April there was a banquet honoring her accomplishments and celebrating her 70th birthday. It was a great time with patients, doctors, friends and family coming from China, Japan and all over the US. 

As part of the event Dr. Zheng asked me to do a demonstration of the Moving Qi Gong. Here is a video of the first half of the demonstration. I’ll post the demonstration of the six advanced exercises and closing exercises later.