As the Qi Flows

Yang Yang (center) with a few of his teacher assistants

During the past weekend I visited Kripalu, a yoga and health resort in the Massachusetts Berkshire mountains for a  workshop with Yang Yang, called, "Evidence-Based Tai-Chi and Qigong, A Gentle Path to Physical, Mental and Spiritual Strength.” Over the course of three days I learned moving, standing and lying down qigong and tai chi exercises as well as various cleansing and energizing ones. Yang insisted on introducing each in gradual stages and with many repetitions to ensure we learned proper form. It was hard work at times, but our teacher was considerate and gave us frequent breaks, and seated meditations offered rest for the weary.


There was a social component too, with laughter and joy, especially when we periodically danced to music with a bouncing qigong step across the floor of the big room. We often practiced with partners or groups, and mealtimes in the Kripalu dining hall were a time for meeting and getting to know people. It is a friendly place.




I found out more than ever that qigong helps me. I had no gaps in medication efficacy, even though I was frequently late in taking my dose - sometimes as late as an hour beyond when I would normally take my meds. I was amazed.

How does it work?

As a scientist with a Ph.D. in kinesiology, Yang says that practice will “enhance strength, force control, balance and immune, neurological and cognitive function.”

Yang repeatedly mentioned the cognitive benefits of the practice. You have to think to make some of the movements which have you doing multiple actions in unnatural ways, like pushing out with one hand while the other is scooping up.

It physically works to stretch your body and to strengthen it. That is obvious. In traditional Chinese medicine there is the concept of chi or qi - translating as energy, breath or life force in the body.  Qi gong means energy cultivation. This concept of energy pathways in the body is not part of western medicine - basically because it can't yet be measured, but Yang spoke of it often.

The spiritual element was a big part of the workshop. Kindness, gratitude, life purpose... Yang shared traditional Chinese philosophy or “Chinese grandmother” wisdom with us, usually before we had a seated or standing meditation.

Qigong works on all of our being, and in a very deep way. For me the breath work and the conscious attention to the sensations in the body are clearly helping my condition. At times I believe I have felt the tingling, tangible, but invisible chi that the qi gong masters say exists. I feel it in my hands and surrounding my heart most of all. Sometimes strong emotions of gratitude and happiness come over me as I practice.

More and more I think recovery IS possible. Qigong gives me hope.

Our group