Since college I have been drawn to and intrigued by qigong and tai chi. I explored recreational classes and weekend workshops from time to time but did not commit to a serious practice.  A couple of years after my son was born during a stream of consciousness writing session it surfaced that it was time for me to connect with and study with my teacher.  It was at this point in my life that I dived in and deeply submerged myself into qigong studies and regular practice.

My first qigong lesson focused on learning how to breathe, retrain my body to stand comfortably and relax into alignment.  My body was foreign to me in general and had developed many compensating patterns from birthing a child, nursing, injuries and surgeries.  I was stunned at how difficult it was for me to simply stand balanced and aligned without pain, breathe and keep my mind calm and centered.  

My teacher helped direct my awareness on how to kinesthetically relax where I was holding stress.   At its release, my body felt completely different, open and connected to the earth and the pain I experienced just simply standing went away.  This was a powerful experience for me.  My first few months of qigong focused primarily on being able to breathe, stand and learn to feel and connect kinesthetically with my body.  

Since 2010 I having been practicing  Longevity Breathing®, Foundational Qigong, Dragon & Tiger Qigong, Opening the Energy Gates Of Your Body™ Qigong, The Marriage of Heaven and Earth™ Qigong, Gods Playing in the Clouds™ Qigong, Spinal Qigong, Wu Style Tai Chi, meditation, Qigong Tui Na and other qigong practices  within the Energy Arts system.  I initially studied privately and regularly with Senior Energy Arts Instructor Susan Kansky-Lumb for over ten years.  I continue to participate in trainings provided by Energy Arts and am certified to teach Foundational, Dragon & Tiger, Energy Gates, and Marriage of Heaven and Earth Qigong.

Qigong is not an intellectual study, it is a kinesthetic experience.  Along this journey I have noticed that my body feels better and younger than it did when it did when I was in my twenties.  As I continue to relax, open up internally and bring subtle awareness to the integrity of my qigong positions and movements, I feel less tension in deeper layers of my body.  

Qigong practices are developed through a gradual and dedicated study.  The more I study this elegant art the more I feel like a beginner.  It truly is a humbling and fascinating journey to explore and a lifelong pursuit of study for me.