I was introduced to qigong about 20 years ago as a college student studying composition and Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music. During this time I became deeply interested in nature, backpacking, contemplation and spirituality, particularly in eastern traditions like Taoism and Buddhism.
During breaks from school I would use my outdoor skills that I learned from a NOLS [National Outdoor Leadership School] expedition in Alaska and would spend a lot of time in nature. I became very sensitive and aware to my interconnectedness with the natural energies of the environment while also becoming more aware of the layers of myself. This ignited in me a desire to more deeply understand myself and my place in the world.
This desire revealed a hidden path that began to unfold. Through a close friend I was introduced to someone who would become a great mentor. During our first meeting we had some conversation and sat for a session of meditation. I had never practiced a formal meditation before and followed his instruction. He told me to follow my breath and let go. Together we sat for about 30 minutes or so. During that time I watched as my thoughts began to slow down and disappear until I was not aware of my body anymore. Instead I was aware mostly of pulsing energies and light. I came out of the experience surprisingly energized and clear. I had never experienced something like that, yet it was somehow familiar and reminded me of times of contemplation and quiet in the forests or mountains. This moment changed the trajectory of my life. This mentor introduced me to meditation, deeper insight into eastern traditions, to my surprise: mystic christian traditions that I didn’t know existed, A Course in Miracles, the consciousness techniques of Robert Monroe [the Monroe institute] and lastly the practice of qigong.
My mentor and I had many discussions about consciousness and energy [qi] because of the experiences that I was having while meditating with him and on my own. He began to share with me the theory and practice of techniques that utilize the natural energies of the universe and environment for health and spiritual development. These techniques he shared with me were qigong exercises. I must note here that I am eternally grateful for his guidance because qigong, as is any other non-physical or spiritual practice, is not without pit-falls. He would always, and still does, remind me of my purpose in practicing. I still hear his voice guiding me as I go deeper with the practice.
Through his recommendation I explored qigong in counterpoint with my spiritual practice and sitting mediation. I found that the dynamic movements and the multi-layered awareness that qigong utilizes, helped me remain rooted in the body while contemplating and experiencing expanded states of awareness that spiritual practice was inducing. With frequent qigong practice my body also felt more energized and flexible. Learning about this led me to the connection of body and mind and eventually into studying Chinese Medicine and pursuing a career as a practitioner of Acupuncture.
After I attained a masters degree in Chinese Medicine, and a few years into my clinical practice, I decided to pursue a deeper knowledge and experience of qigong and started to study medical qigong at IMQC [International Medical Qigong College]. Here, I learned the foundations of Daoism and qigong practice. It become very clear to me though my study and practicing that qigong is not simply a set of exercises to stretch the body and temporarily calm the mind (although the practice does support this!) but an alchemical path that leads one through self-transformation and the unfolding of one’s spiritual nature.
I often find it difficult to explain qigong to others because it is so vast and is embedded In a tradition of such antiquity, great depth, and understanding that simple words do not capture it’s value.
With many years of practice and study now, I am by no means a master of this art. I am however, comfortable sharing the foundations of qigong, my learning and experiences so far. I have navigated both establishing the principles and practices into my own life while also becoming aware of and experiencing the pitfalls of practices like qigong ( this could be another whole conversation !)
Practicing qigong not only helps my body feel energized and healthy but perhaps more importantly, it helps me cultivate awareness. Awareness of what is stuck and not moving in my life whether it be in the body, in the mind, or both. Qigong reconnects me with what is infinitely greater than my small-self yet reminds me of my part in the world.
qigong is now an essential part of my personal and clinical practice. It impacts how I use acupuncture with my patients in both diagnosis and in treatment. Medical qigong treatment is also a modality I am excited and happy to offer my patients. Sharing qigong privately and in classes as both a health and self-cultivation practice is also an exciting development in my journey.
The journey continues an I still study, and will continue, to refine my knowledge and practice of qigong.