What is Qigong?
Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient healing art and movement practice that comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine. It brings together slow, intentional movement, steady breath, and focused awareness to nourish and circulate qi—the life force energy that animates all living things.
Qigong invites us into a conversation with the natural world. At its core is the understanding that we are not separate from nature—we are nature. Just as the seasons shift, so do we. The practice of Qigong draws on the wisdom of the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—each one linked to a season, an organ system, emotional qualities, and archetypal energies.
Wood (Spring): the energy of growth, vision, and possibility. Movements for the Wood element help us awaken the body after winter, release stagnation, and tap into clarity and purpose.
Fire (Summer): the energy of joy, connection, and expansion. Practices here support the heart, uplift the spirit, and cultivate warmth and vitality.
Earth (Late Summer): the energy of nourishment, grounding, and balance. These movements help regulate digestion—both physical and emotional—and foster compassion and stability.
Metal (Autumn): the energy of letting go, refinement, and inner strength. We work with breath and simple, cleansing movements to support the lungs and cultivate clarity and courage.
Water (Winter): the energy of deep rest, wisdom, and restoration. These practices encourage stillness, support the kidneys and adrenal system, and help us build resilience from within.
How I weave Qigong into my teaching
In my classes and workshops, Qigong is a soft, healing thread that complements yoga, meditation, and Yoga Nidra beautifully. It offers a gentle, somatic way to feel into the body, release tension, and reconnect with the deeper intelligence that lives within us.
I use Qigong seasonally to align the body and spirit with the rhythms of the earth. In Spring, we stretch and awaken; in Autumn, we gather and release. In every class, Qigong becomes a quiet ritual of tuning in—listening to the breath, the body, and the subtler currents of energy moving through us.
Whether you are navigating stress, seeking balance during hormonal transitions, or simply needing a moment to come home to yourself, Qigong is a gentle companion on the path of healing and self-discovery.