QIGONG & ASIAN MEDICINE
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.”
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.
ZEN STUDY HOUR
The Art of Awareness
Explore Zen concepts, meditation and qigong movement through discussion and practice. Bring your water bottle and preferred meditation cushion, if you have one. All are welcome. Drop-in, by donation.
Fridays at Heart of Zen, 1:00 – 2:00
Jan 2 – Jan 30, 2026
at Heart of Zen, 106 Adams St. Suttons Bay
THE GENTLE POWER OF QIGONG
Sink into the deep and grounding strength of Winter.
This Qigong immersion invites you to slow down and harmonize with nature’s rhythm and welcome the deep reserves of energy that lie beneath the season’s stillness.
Through gentle movement, breathwork, mindfulness and meditation, we will explore the Winter element of Water which corresponds to and nourishes the Kidney energy in traditional Chinese practice. The Kidneys are the root of and store the body’s deepest vital energy.
* Embrace a sacred pause. * Invite inner calm.*
Generate internal warmth. * Cultivate and nourish Kidney essence.
Saturday, January 10, 10:00 – 1:00
at New Moon Yoga Studio 10781 E. Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City
Call or text 231-386-7616 to reserve your spot. Space is limited to 10. $195/guest
SPACE OF GRACE
A Qigong Retreat for Caregivers and End of Life Guides
This retreat is an offering for those who hold space for others, to welcome nourishment, stillness, and revitalization. Your presence in attending to and caring for another offers compassion, strength and peace in a most tender chapter in one’s life.
Who holds space for you?
This qigong retreat is designed to replenish the core of your being. Through practice of gentle movement, breathwork and meditation, you will: cultivate your vital life force; release the weight of emotional and energetic holding; embrace stillness, increase clarity and resilience; deepen your capacity to extend and serve from a well-nourished heart. Offered by Balanced Heart.
March 6, 7, 8, 2026
at Northport Bay Retreat Center, Northport, MI
Call or text 231-386-7616 to reserve your spot.
THE GENTLE POWER OF QIGONG
Take your qigong practice to the next level with three hours of qigong practice. Expand your understanding of the movements and deepen the experience of improved energy and vitality. Replenish and restore with deep engagement and presence. Grow your insight into the specific energetic, physical, mental, and emotional benefits of the postures and movements of qigong flow. Offered by Balanced Heart.
Saturday June 6, 2026 10:00-1:00
At New Moon Yoga Studio 10781 E. Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City
Call or text 231-386-7616 to reserve your spot. Space is limited to 10.
Additional Qigong at Heart of Zen:
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.
CHINESE MEDICINE
Chinese medicine (CM) aka Asian medicine 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, Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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 Asian 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.