Qigong

QIGONG & CHINESE MEDICINE

Counter with candle, incense, and forsythia floral arrangement. Part of a scroll visible on wall.

Qigong (“chee gung”) is an ancient and important part of Chinese medicine. It is a gentle form of self-healing that combines movement, breath, and visualization to balance body, mind and spirit.

Qigong is about the cultivation of qi or ki (the vibration and resonance of life) by strengthening attention and intention through relaxed, gentle, meditative movement. Literally translated, qigong is “energy cultivation.” While not a martial art on its own, qigong includes principles core to the practice of the martial arts and central to the art of life.

Qigong can increase energy, and heal or prevent many common illnesses. It is especially effective in reducing stress, strengthening the immune system, improving mental focus, supporting a healthy sleep cycle, deepening a sense of inner peace.

UPCOMING QIGONG EVENTS:

THE GENTLE POWER OF QIGONG

Saturday, October 11 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

At New Moon Yoga Studio 10781 E. Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City

$195/person

Call or text 231-386-7616 to reserve your spot. Space is limited

An Offering from The Well: Learn the movements of the 1000-year-old form, ‘Ba Duan Jin,’ and begin to experience improved energy and vitality. Replenish and restore with deep engagement and presence. Gain insight to the specific energetic, physical, mental, and emotional benefits of each posture and movement of the “Ba Duan Jin” flow. At the heart of this practice is the cultivation of vital life force through movement, breath, and meditation.

The Well is a cooperative offering from Tamara Graf (Balance for Self Healing) and Michelle Racich (Heart of Zen) who together have over 60 years of intensive qi cultivation training. Steeped in ancient Asian practices, philosophies and traditions and as Masters of their disciplines, Graf and Racich will share the guiding principles and practices of Asian medicines, the world’s oldest, literate, continually practiced healthcare system.

 

Nov 7 – Dec 26, 2025     Heart of Zen Study Hour* (see below)

Jan 10, 2026                   The Well: Three hours of Qigong practice

March 6,7,8, 2026         The Well: A Weekend of Qigong

June 6, 2026                  The Well: Three hours of Qigong practice

 

*Zen, Meditation, and Movement Study Hour

Starting Friday November 7 at 1:00, Heart of Zen will be offering an 8-week Friday afternoon informal study of the concepts of Zen, meditation, and qigong movement. By donation.

 

Additional Qigong options:

  • One-on-one, private qigong instruction.
  • Group basic qigong instruction and practice.
  • Group meditation and advanced qigong practice.

To discuss and schedule any of the above qigong options, call or text Heart of Zen at 231-386-7616.

Barefoot woman wearing dark samue, standing in qigong pose called "dragon's pearl."

Chinese medicine (CM) is one of the oldest existing continuously practiced medical systems in the world, with over 3,000 years of history. This long and well-documented history is one of compassionate and successful treatment for a wide variety of conditions. As a complete and coherent system of health care, Chinese medicine’s primary goal is to create wholeness and harmony within a person by strengthening and supporting the body’s ability to heal.

The language of Chinese medicine includes a deep and rich understanding of the concept of qi and how it moves and is experienced in our lives. Qi is the expression of life. Qi is the energy of the body.  As the quality of qi changes, the symptoms associated with a lack of flow will gradually improve.

Qi: In Chinese medicine, qi (ki, chi) is the underlying vibration and resonance of life, its vital energy.

Channels: Qi resonates within the body through a matrix of channels sometimes known as meridians. This channel network governs organs, tissues, emotional and mental faculties, and cellular activities by regulating and balancing the flow of qi.

Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) is the treatment of the human body/mind/spirit, including the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings that body to life, by using pressure and/or manipulation. Asian Bodywork is based upon Chinese Medical principles for assessing and evaluating the body’s energetic system. It uses traditional Asian techniques and treatment strategies to primarily affect and balance the energetic system for the purpose of treating the human body, emotions, mind, energy field and spirit for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. Today there are many biomedical studies that support the healing properties of acupressure and therapeutic touch.