NEW STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE CLASS ON SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30 PM.

In most of the exercises, the movements are simple and easy to learn, yet challenge you to grow and develop. Learn correct structure and movement, with an introduction to underlying Daoist principles. Working on the Daoist qualities in both stillness and movement enables you to deepen your practice.

All exercise sets are classical Qi Gong and Dao Yin, which means that they come from authentic, lineage-based traditions. We use Qi Gong and Dao Yin physical exercises to get at the internal movements of Nei Gong.

BEGINNING and INTERMEDIATE STUDENTS are in the same class.  Individuals work at their own level.  All the exercise sets have a beginning level.  As you advance, you learn principles that are added into a practice, one at a time.  There is always greater skill to learn, a deeper level to experience, so it's always fascinating, never boring.

Different Qi Gong sets of exercises are periodically offered. Typically, one set is done for a number of months. All classes begin with stretching and a little conditioning, to warm up. Repetition, in class and in your own practice at home, leads to depth. Depending on current students' needs, different exercises are worked into the class practice.

Some of the courses offered:

WU XING QI GONG (FIVE ELEMENT ENERGY WORK), a simple,  balancing set, done standing, that strongly focuses on the 5 directional movements of the qi. Build your Qi.  Part of Damo Mitchell’s Lotus Nei Gong Foundations.

WU DAO YIN (5 LEADING, GUIDING ENERGY PRACTICES), an excellent introductory set that is easily learned. Like all Dao Yin exercises, it purges stagnation and opens the joints. Part of Damo Mitchell’s Lotus Nei Gong Foundations.

DRAGON DAO YIN (DRAGON LEADING, GUIDING ENERGY), playfully wakes up the spine through stretched out movements and more complex coordination, opens the joints and purges stagnation.  Dao Yin preceeds Qigong and comes from the shamanic Wu people, likely from well before 2000 BCE.  Part of Damo Mitchell’s Lotus Nei Gong Foundations.

JI BEN QI GONG  (FUNDAMENTAL ENERGY WORK), a short, easy set that emphasizes a number of fundamentals, for beginners to learn and those more experienced to refine. Moves the joints naturally, efficiently opens qi pathways, preparation for Nei Gong (internal work). Part of Damo Mitchell’s Lotus Nei Gong Foundations.

HUI CHUN (RETURN TO SPRING), is a cross between Qigong and Meditation and works with the Five Phases (Elements). The practices are done seated, with some stillness and some arm movement. The exercises powerfully calm the mind and strengthen the pulses. From Damo Mitchell.

DAOISM, the Art of Change.  Daoist theory of creation informs all of Qigong, so the more we understand it, the deeper our practice. Even better, the more we practice, the more we directly experience Daoism. Classes are firmly rooted in physical practice.  Theory is regularly included in small amounts and periodically reviewed.

JIN JING SHI SI SHI (14 MOVEMENTS OF THE TENDON CLASSIC), an esoteric, vigorous, longer set.  Strengthens, focuses, breaks up stagnation.  This style is based on Da Mo's Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic of around 500 CE,  and evolved during the last, Qing Dynasty. Buddhist and Daoist components are deeply woven in.  Very recently,  Confucian elements from Wang Feng Yi's work in Manchuria, China, have been done in conjunction with this powerful style. From Master Wang Qingyu of Chengdu, China, and Heiner Fruehof of Portland, OR. Not currently taught.