QiGong Foundations —
A Modern, Functional Approach
From Beginner to Teacher
- A 12 month, systematic, community-based online program,
for both beginner and intermediate students.
starts Jan. 4
Sign Me Up!What is QiGong Foundations?
It is the first 50hr step to QiGong Freedom
This includes:
A full 12 months deep dive into the practice and theory of non-dogmatic, modern QiGong
Over 60 QigGong postures through 4 Sets taught progressively and methodically
Theory & Anatomy of Functional QiGong
Live and Recorded Community Classes and Q&A
Full Access to our online Mastery in Community
And lots of access to me, your teacher
Begins 4 January 2025
Registration is open until January 3 , 2025. The program begins on January 4, 2025, and goes for 50 weeks (plus bonuses). Bonuses are different every year.
Sign Me Up!00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
Practices
practice-theory-teach
set i:
the 8 brocades (ba duan jin - 八段錦)
One of the world's most famous sets practiced functionally (learn the shape of each movement, then adapt it to your own body). We also learn the foundations of a QiGong practice.
set ii:
shi ba shi qigong (十八式氣功)
"Shibashi" means eighteen and Shibashi Qigong is a good example of a modern set of Qigong exercises practised as a whole for maintaining all round good health and wellbeing.
Created in Shanghai in 1979, the Taiji Qigong Shibashi combines the power of Tai Chi movements with the healing effect of Qigong and Meditation and is a good bridge between these worlds.
set iii:
the 18 luohan skills (shi ba luo han gong - 十八羅漢功)
Based on the techniques of Sinew Metamorphosis attributed to Bodhidharma, the founder of the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism.
According to legend, Bodhidharma taught three fundamental principles of Zen practice: seated meditation, Qigong, and mindful movement. Sound familiar?
The exercises are more athletic and more dynamic, and they are terrific for cultivating strength, flexibility, and internal power.
set iv:
sinew metamorphosis (yi jin jing - 易筋經)
What a great name!
Yi Jin Jing translates to "changing or metamorphising muscles and tendons". The exercises, coordinated with breathing, are intended to improve strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and coordination.
The exercises are suitable for all levels.
Theory
practice-theory-teach
nurturing deep breath - theory & practice
Breath is at the center of the QiGong practice (Qi could refer to the energy of the breath). I will lecture you on what healthy breath is and guide you through progressive practices on deepening your breath, your lung volume and your lung efficiency.
qi & 3 treasure theory
What is Qi? Learn practical (and very different) tools for physical, mental and emotional (energetic) health.
variable anatomy for dynamic poses
Learn how to adapt the basic shapes of QiGong for your (and your students') unique anatomy. We all have different shapes, proportions, and orientation of hard bones in our body. No alignment dogma, no guru dynamics. Healing is about the Qi, not the look.
ancient sets, radically modern teaching
Classical sets are how QiGong masters passed down their wisdom. It is also where rigidity becomes the norm. In this program you'll learn some amazing sets (see below) but taught without 1950s human ergonomics (or 1850s). These revitalised sets are your link to the skills of the past masters and a future practice of freedom and health.
step by step
You'll receive 50 weekly lessons over a total of 12 months. I'm your teacher first and foremost, and I pride myself on giving you the most powerful & systematic training possible.
Teaching
practice-theory-teach
teach-step by-step
You'll receive 2 teaching assignments that you should complete to receive your certificate. If you don't want a certificate, these assignments are optional.
Bonus Courses
practice-theory-teach
bonus i: yang drills for muscle ills
At the end of the course, you’ll get exclusive access to a comprehensive online course teaching you my go to musclar drills for bodily aches and pains. I use these in my acupuncture clinic all the time. These ingenious healing techniques are uniquely tailored to target and remediate specific health issues and physical areas, making them indispensable tools in your wellness journey.
bonus ii :philosophy of the tao
A philosophy lecture on the non-logic of the Tao, the natural philosophy that frames and encapsulates the spirit of Taoist Yoga, QiGong.
bonus iii: the myth and reality of qigong & tai chi
Learn about the history of the practice, both imagined and real... both magical.
accreditation
Receive a full 50hrs of YA accreditation either as part of our 300/500hr program, or as a part of your continuing education credits.
group energy
You can go at your own pace, but we'll all be going through the program together. We will have our own private communication forum where we can support, share and learn together.
This adds a wonderful group dynamic that makes learning much more fun.
on demand now,
one year's access
Remember, if you cannot join live one month or at all, don't stress. All lessons are on-demand and can be accessed at your own pace on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
what you get - the details
practice-theory-teach
365-day access to:
- Weekly new practice & theory sessions (about 45mins/week)
- Weekly guided practice sessions
- Monthly live theory webinars (Saturday lunchtime UK time). Get your questions live or watch as I work with the big issues!
- Training manuals with journaling assignments
- The 'mastery in community' private study group (ask questions, share your journey)
- 50hr Yoga Alliance certification or continuing education
-
All coursework must be completed in full for YA accredited certification.
the curriculum in detail
Wondering exactly what is in our 12-month program? Here's your full curriculum:
Monthly Theory (Anatomy & Breath)
- intro - what is qi
- intro to the functional
- approach - the 3 layers
- why we must adapt the postures to our unique body: tension and compression in 14 joints
- ankle flexion & extension
- the breath 1
- the sanjiao
- the breath 2
- the femur in flexion
- frog pose to standing poses
- the breath 3
- lunges - dragon pose
- the femur in extension
- the breath 4
Practice Module 1: 8 Brocades
Week 1: Two Hands Support Heaven
Week 2: Draw A Bow to Shoot an Eagle
Week 3: Separate Heaven & Earth
Week 4: Sway Your Head, Shake Your Tail
Week 5: Wise Owl Gazes Backwards
Week 6: Two Hands to Feet
Week 7: Punch with Fiery Eyes
Week 8: 100 Illness Destroyer
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 1
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 2
Practice Module 2: Shi Ba Shi QiGong
Week 1: Commencing & Broadening the Chest
Week 2: Dancing with Rainbows
Week 3: Swing the Arms, Separating Clouds
Week 4: Pushing Backwards
Week 5: Rowing the Boat of the Heart
Week 6: Holding a Ball,
Week 7: Turning to the Moon, Twisting & Pushing Palms
Week 8: Cloud Hands in Horse Stance
Week 9: Scooping from the Sea, Playing With Waves
Week 10: Flying Dove Spreads Wings, Punching
Week 11: Flying Goose, Spinning Wheels
Week 12: Bouncing A Ball, Resting the Breath
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 3
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 4
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 5
Practice Module 3: Sinew Metamorphosis (Yi Jin Jing)
Week 1: Golden Dragon Taps on the Ground
Week 2: Sacred Tree Grows Branches
Week 3: Hiding Gold in Fists
Week 4: Luohan Ties Belt
Week 5: Luohan Reaching for Heaven
Week 6: Luohan Emerging from Water
Week 7: Immortal Plays with Bamboo
Week 8: Immortal Rubs Eyes
Week 9: Luohan Carries a Mountain
Week 10: Luohan Holds Bamboo
Week 11: Luohan Offers Blessings
Week 12: Carrying Sun and Moon
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 6
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 7
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 8
Practice Module 4: The 18 Luohan
Week 1: Immortal Performs a Salutation
Week 2: Xiang Yu Lifts the Cauldron
Week 3: Left & Right Arranging Flowers
Week 4: Old Tree Twists Its Roots
Week 5: Night Demon Searches the Sea
Week 6: Push Open the Window to Let the Light in
Week 7: Wei Tuo Shows His Club
Week 8: Old Monk Goes Into Zen
Week 9: Iron Ox Plows the Field
Week 10: Blue Dragon Swings Its Tail
Week 11: Left & Right Mounting a Horse
Week 12: Swallow Takes Up Water
Week 13: Tiger Lunges
Week 14: Chen Tuan's Deep Sleep
Week 15: Salutations Between Father & Son
Week 16: Carp Flips Over
Week 17: Zhang Liao Presents a Robe
Week 18: Vase Hanging From Golden Hooks
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 9
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 10
BONUS: Breathing Meditation 11
pricing options
Registration is open until January 3, 2025. Program Begins Saturday 4 January, 2025.
FAQ
I don't like online learning, when are you doing it live?
What do I need for online training?
Can I pay in instalments?
What happens if i can't join live?
Have a Question?
Just let me know, I'll gladly help you.
