Qigong Teacher Training In Chicago
Qigong Teacher Training
Taught by Sue Vanags
Qigong is a time-honored healing practice that originated in China thousands of years ago. It has been evolving over time, and has been embraced by wellness-minded people throughout history and across the Asian cultures and has been gaining momentum into mainstream health practice and exercises in America. Qigong is one of the five branches of Chinese Medicine: Medical Massage (Tuina), Acupuncture, Herbs, Nutrition/Lifestyle and Qigong.
It incorporates gentle physical movements with breathing and awareness and is known as moving meditation. It is a very holistic practice for people of all ages, and especially ideal for busy people who want to combine meditation, physical movements, and mindful breathing into a neat relaxing yet energizing practice, reaping the healing quality of being more mentally relaxed, emotionally balanced, spiritually more connected and physically stronger.
It is a practice of effortless power, restoration, relaxation, vitality and strength. It reduces stress, boosts immunity, harmonizes body mind, and foster a deeper connection with oneself. By the end of the day, it is a cultivation and longevity practice. Qigong practice is like alchemy, releasing what does not belong to us, and become the person we are inside living a rich fulfilling life.
Teacher Training Process
At Zen Shiatsu Chicago, we offer a supported, in-person Qigong Teacher Training Certificate for two styles of Qigong: Five Element Qigong and Primordial Qigong.
Teacher training consists of attending a foundational workshop, followed by guided weekly practice either in-person, by Zoom or via recorded self-study, as well as a final demo and certificate from Sue.
To qualify for the Five Element Qigong Teacher Certificate, trainee students must complete:
- Two 6-hour workshops: Five Element Qigong Part 1 (Monday Jan 26, 2026) and Part 2 (February 23, 2026)
- Four 1-hour practice classes for Five Element Qigong Part 1
- Four 1-hour practice classes for Five Element Qigong Part 2
- Minimum 15 personal practice hours for Five Element Qigong Part 1
- Minimum 15 personal practice hours for Five Elements Qigong Part 2
- Minimum 10 hours of teaching, to families, friends, your classmates, or total strangers you feel a call to share
- A 30-minute teaching demonstration for Five Element Qigong
Requirements for Primordial Qigong Teacher Certificate:
- The 6-hour Primordial Qigong workshop (November 2026 Exact Date TBA)
- Four 1-hour practice classes
- Minimum 20 personal practice hours
- Minimum 10 hours of teaching, to families, friends, your classmates, or total strangers you feel a call to share
- A 30-minutes teaching demonstration
Note: All the four one-hour practices classes will be held at 7:30AM 4 consecutive Saturdays following the corresponding CE classes. They can be taken in person, via zoom or with recorded self-study. In any case, a zoom recording of the practice classes will be provided for personal practice.
Foundational Workshops
Qigong Basics and Five Elements Qigong Part 1 (Monday January 26, 9am-4pm)
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 (Monday February 23, 9am-4pm)
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.
Primordial Qigong (November, Monday TBA)
Primordial Qigong 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 Element Qigong Teacher Training Fees:
Two 6-hour workshops – $300 total
Four 1-hour practice sessions – $100 total
30 minute teaching demonstration – $55
Total: $555
Primordial Qigong Teacher Training Fees:
One 6-hour workshops – $150
Four 1-hour practice sessions – $100 total
30 minute teaching demonstration – $55
Total: $405
How To Register:
- Use the registration links below to pay online
- If you don’t see an available registration link, contact us here to be added to our notification list. Our classes generally repeat every six months. July-Dec classes are listed by May 15, Jan-Jun classes are listed by Nov 15. By being on our notification list you’ll be the first to hear about the new dates via email.
- To pay by phone, call 847-864-1130
- To pay online, check the box next to the associated start date below and select the “NEXT STEPS ” button.
- By registering online, you agree to our registration policies