qigong for yoga teachers: level 1

overview

This weekend immersion will provide the foundations for how Yoga teachers and teachers in training can learn, adapt and incorporate aspects of qigong into their classes and personal practice. It will be a highly experiential programme designed to provide participants with practical knowledge as well as an embodied understanding of qigong. It will also establish principles for innovatively and authentically weaving qigong into Yoga āsana classes. Participants will receive a course manual with illustrated sequences as well as sections on context, theory and approaches to integrating Yoga and qigong.

course content

About Yoga and Qigong: Qigong is a Chinese energy healing and martial art with roots in Daoism and Buddhism. It offers a way to harmonize the virtues of trust, integrity, wisdom, and compassion in the human body and spirit. Like yoga, qigong uses deep breathing, meditation, and static or dynamic movements to promote greater health and vitality. The actions generate and revitalize the qi, or life force, in the body.

As an energy-based practice, qigong employs slow, circular movements that improve the flow of qi through the body’s meridians and organs. In contrast, Yoga āsana places greater emphasis on linear extensions of the spine, body and limbs. This works to tone, lengthen and strengthen muscles more directly. When aspects of qigong are incorporated into an āsana practice, the flow of prana and qi can be significantly increased, bringing greater energy, health and efficiency to the body. The cross-fertilization of yoga and qigong offers creative and insightful discoveries that can delight in unexpected ways.

Subjects covered in the immersion will include:

• Qigong theories and their application to Yoga such as chen (rooting, sinking), wuwei (effortlessness), yi (intention), five phase/element principles including organ and meridian theory, the affect of qi flow on physical and emotional health
• The congruencies and distinctions between Daoist and Yogic concepts
• Fire/yang-based qigong forms and sequences that integrate effectively into yoga classes such as horse stance, taming the tiger, dragon, bear, and bird nesting among others
• Water/yin-based qigong forms and sequences that integrate into yoga classes such as clearing, filling and sealing; moving and parting clouds; etheric cleansing; hands to heart; looking for moon and sea; and swimming dragon
• Introduction to seasonal and element-based themes inspired by qigong and Chinese medicine that can be incorporated into yoga classes
• Qigong practices for maintaining health and energy levels as a yoga teacher

course structure

The course schedule is as follows:

Friday 2nd July: 10.00-18.00
Saturday 3rd July: 10.00-18.00
Sunday 4th July: 10.00-17.00

All sessions are held online.

eligibility + pre-requisites

This immersion is aimed at teachers and teachers in training. 

accreditation

This training meets Yoga Alliance USA, Yoga Alliance Professionals and BWY requirements for CPD