Qigong CE Training Courses in Chicago

In these qigong beginner classes, you will gain a progressive understanding of Qi and Qigong both conceptually and experientially. You will learn and practice in class settings basic qigong movements, various Qigong routines, including qigong practices of Five Elements, Five Animals, Three Treasures and Micro Cosmic Orbit. You will be able to take home some qigong movements to create your own daily practice routine. 

These twelve classes may be taken in any order.  Feel free to start with whatever is next, or pick and choose the topics that interest you.

Qigong Basics and Five Elements Qigong Part 1
In January, we begin our journey with Five Element Qigong Part 1. This foundational class introduces the elemental theories of Classic Chinese medicine, learning how the elements influence our health. The practice serves to harmonize our energy, aligning our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being as we transition into the new year.

Together, we will learn basic qigong concepts, Five Element principles, Five Element Producing and Control Cycles, Five Elements Sound and Colors, Qigong fundamental practices to warm up, activate and stretch out our body, then delve into the First Five Element flow. By the end, we will experience how it feels to have abundant Qi flow in our body mind, feeling the sensation of healing in our own unique ways. 

Five Element Qigong Part 2
Continuing in February, Five Element Qigong Part 2 deepens our exploration of these elemental principles. We will delve deeper into the Five Element principal to balance the elements within ourselves. This practice enhances our ability to manage stress, cultivate resilience, and maintain harmony within our body and mind.

We will review qigong fundamentals, Five elemental principals and explore Five Elements applications in our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of daily life. We will introduce Five Elements Personality Types. For practice, we will learn more qigong movements to activate, warm up and stretches out our body, then drop into the Second Five Element Flow. We will wave conceptual learning, meditation and qigong practice to cultivate these qualities in our body mind heart and spirit. 

Five Animal Frolic: Tiger
You’re about to learn one of the oldest recorded Qi Gong sequences on the planet, placed in accordance with the seasons appropriate to the element each frolic represents. Through The Five Animal Frolics Course, you’ll learn how to channel and cultivate the healing energy of five powerful animals: Tiger, Bear, Deer, Monkey, and Bird through a specific 25-movement sequence, in addition to warm-ups of each frolic, adjustments and nuances. 

March features the Tiger Frolic, which embodies the fierce, agile energy of the tiger. Associated with spring and the element of wood, this practice increases vitality, enhances resiliency, and ignites creativity. Engaging in the Tiger Frolic helps to awaken our instinctual strength, promoting  inner vision, clarity and manifestation. Tiger frolic trains us to flow through life’s challenges, therefore to preserve and cultivate more of precious life force energy.

Three Treasures Qigong
April introduces Three Treasures Qigong, focusing on Jing (essence), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit). This practice harmonizes the three vital components of life, enhancing physical strength, fostering emotional stability and promotes mental clarity. Connecting with the energy of spring, we will awaken our inner vitality and enhance overall health.

We will review fundamental qigong concepts, explore the classic Chinese medicine concepts of Three Treasures, meditate to feel and enhance the energy and connection of Jin Qi Shen, and practice foundational qigong to activate, warm-up, and stretch open the body, then further harmonize the body emotions and mind energy with Three Treasures flow in the form of Body Mind Spirit as well as Earth Nature and Sky. 

Microcosmic Orbit Qigong
In May, we explore the Microcosmic Orbit Qigong, which circulates energy through the Master Yin Ren Mai(feminine) and Master Yang Du Mai (masculine) meridians. This practice promotes mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical vitality. 

We will review basic qigong concepts and learn the concept of Microcosmic Orbit. Practice various foundational qigong movements to activate, warm-up and stretch to open. We will then drop into Microcosmic Orbit flow, to enhance the mastery muscular and feminine energy in our body and facilitate the circular flow of energy from bottom up and top down, insuring sufficient flow of energy in all 12 major meridians for optimal body function.

Five Animal Frolic: Monkey 
June brings the playful energy of the Monkey Frolic, associated with the summer season and the fire element. This light-hearted practice encourages spontaneity, joy, and social connection. The Monkey Frolic invigorates the spirit, promoting an uplifted mood and a carefree approach to life’s challenges.

We will learn the characteristics of Fire Element, balance out heart energy and practice to transform anxiety into calm and scatteredness into presence.

Five Animal Frolic: Bear
In July, the Bear Frolic signifies grounding and introspection. Rooted in the earth element, this practice enhances digestion and centeredness. It encourages us to connect deeply with the earth beneath our feet, promoting a sense of stability and calm in the midst of life’s fluctuations.

We will explore the characteristics of the Earth Element, balanced and imbalanced state, learn Bear Frolic warm-ups and the key five movements, and practice to shift into a grounded state where we feel centered and nurtured.

Introduction to Qigong/Tai Ji
August provides an Introduction to Qigong and Tai Ji, welcoming both newcomers and experienced practitioners. This session highlights the foundational principles of breath, movement, and mindfulness. Practicing Qigong/Tai Ji leads to improved physical health, mental wellness, and overall life balance.

Basic concepts of Qi, Qi Gong and Tai Ji will be explored. Foundational qigong movements will be practiced to warm-up, activate and stretch open the body. We will then practice the Movements in the Tai Ji forms in qigong fashion, then learn and practice in Tai Ji form.

Five Animal Frolic: Bird
As autumn arrives in September, we explore the Bird Frolic, reflecting the season of harvesting, change and transformation. This practice brings lightness, spaciousness, expansiveness, heightened perception and freedom while we stand grounded flying high. It teaches us the rhymes of life: prepare, launching, flying to free roaming the mighty sky, gradually landing, and stillness to restore, getting ready for the next cycle of flight. 

Together, we will explore Metal Element characteristics and constitution, learn and practice the Birds Frolics in strengthening our lung capacity for stronger immunity, healthier looking skin and experience the rush of exhilaration, in the process transforming sadness and depression into inspiration for more life!

Tai Ji 13 Movement Yang Style Form
In October, we delve into Tai Ji 13 Movement Yang Style Form. This profound practice promotes flow, enhances mental focus, supports memory, and coordination. The practice teaches us how to address the challenges of life by skillfully directing  them sideways then dissolve them with focused direct energy.

We will learn more about Tai Ji, the major styles evolved throughout Chinese history, and Yang Style Form. We will then learn the movements the qigong way, followed by the Tai Ji Form.

Primordial Qigong
November’s focus is on Primordial Qigong, which emphasizes the cultivation of original energy. This ancient practice helps us tap into our innate life force, fostering deep relaxation, rejuvenation, and spiritual clarity as we prepare for the winter months ahead.

Primordial Qigong is said to be the private practice of Zhang San Feng, who is widely regarded as the legendary Tai Ji Founder and Taoist immortal with extraordinary healing and levitation powers. This forms seems simple, yet dynamic and immensely powerful. We learn and practice the form to balance all aspects of our body and our life while more AHAs continuously dawn on us. 

Five Animal Frolic: Deer
Finally, in December, we conclude the year with the Deer Frolic. This gentle practice, associated with winter and the water element, encourages introspection, peace, and tranquility. The Deer Frolic helps to calm the mind, nurture the spirit, and create a deep sense of inner harmony as we reflect on the past year.

Together, we will learn the characteristics of Water Element, Deer Frolic warm-ups and the core five movement sequence, in the process transforming underlying fear into wisdom.