My Path to Teaching Qi Gong
Way back in college, I had a fantastic and inspiring teacher of Eastern Religions, Rick Jarow, who introduced me to Taoism. I was transfixed by the Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu, and the I Ching. Taoist concepts just made sense to me- they clicked in a way nothing had before. So for many years, I studied it, mostly privately, consulting books on taoism on a fairly regular basis, for guidance in my daily life. I’d learn later, that I was missing several key things in my study of taoism, and in uncovering my path.
Fast forward eight years later, when I was in my mid 20’s, and about to move into my first and only solo apartment, I met another incredible and inspiring person, Thomas Droge, (and his fab rock star wife), who lived down the hall from me. We all became fast friends, first because I knew his wife also played music like me, and they had an amazing dog. And then, when I discovered he was also a taoist, and in fact, an acupuncturist, Thomas eventually became my next very important teacher.
Fast forward 12 more years, into my mid 30’s, in the same apartment, and still friends with Thomas. I knew he practiced and even taught Qi Gong, but I didn’t know much about it, other than it’s a bit like yoga and a lot like Tai chi. For several years he’d been suggesting that I attend his Qi Gong class, and finally, I found myself in between jobs and projects, with some time to spare. So, with some trepidation, I tried Qi Gong one fateful morning, and I was hooked. It beautifully combined my many years of taoist study, and my interest in movement, (similar to yoga). I learned that the goal of the Qi Gong practice is to help us harness and cultivate our natural energy (qi), and to get to know ourselves and our bodies so well, that we’re able to move seamlessly in the real world, completely integrating ourselves into our natural place in the natural world– i.e. being in harmony with the Tao. Up until that point, I had only part of the picture– just the texts. Now, I had the practice too. I practiced all through my future pregnancy, and shortly after I gave birth, I took it up again, and never let it go. Over the years, my practice matured, and though I wasn’t practicing daily until much later, I did have a regular practice that felt comfortable, though not quite transformative… yet.
About seven years in, I added Tai chi into my practice too, and that required an amazing amount of discipline that Qi Gong never required. Whereas with Qi Gong, I was able to to follow along and let someone else lead me in the mostly easy, relaxed forms, if I didn’t practice Tai chi on a regular basis, I’d fall way behind in learning and memorizing the 75 or so precise movements. I could no longer phone it in on a Wednesday. So I increased my level of practice, and my level of dedication.
Eight years after that first Qi Gong class, about a year into my Tai chi practice, I moved with my family closer to Central Park, (just under five months ago today), where I’ve been able to walk in nature every day, finally being closer to trees, birds, and other living, natural things besides just humans. In New York City, it can be difficult to remember that we ARE nature, as Thomas has reminded me before: we aren’t just IN nature.
Finding myself in nature, and especially practicing Tai Chi in nature, became incredibly grounding for me. I found I had more energy and drive to do all of my creative projects, and I tackled them with fervor and precision. I was in two writing critique groups, making artwork daily, and taking photography classes. I was going full steam ahead with several creative projects, and excited to see them to fruition. It was right around then that Thomas revealed what I’d been hoping for for several years, but had put aside since he hadn’t mentioned it for a long while: he was finally ready to teach how to teach, and I was invited to the inaugural class of Qi gong teachers.
Oddly, at first I was frustrated and confused: I had only just begun finding focus and drive in my creative work– I believed I would have to put all of that on the back burner in order to join his class. After much meditation, I finally came to realize that Qi Gong and Taoism are the lifelong path- for more than twenty years. This teacher training was my next stone on this path, and my creative endeavors would have to wait… or so I thought at the time.
I began the teacher Qi Gong training in January 2019, and it was incredibly intense, and required an enormous amount of time, study, and effort. I did find myself exhausted, and spent in the beginning, with little time for anything else. But eventually, after several of months of daily practice, it became easier. Everything became easier. What was happening? The practice was working: I was cultivating energy. I found myself having more energy for all of my creative pursuits, instead of less, despite my limited time. Writing and creating artwork had taken on a focus and confidence of direction that I hadn’t had for a long time. Fears were unblocked; worries resolved, anger released… The practice finally became transformative.
And now, as I find myself coming into the end of the teacher training intensive, I am full of energy and of the world of possibilities. I have multiple wonderful writing projects that I’m polishing, as well as ideas just waiting to be written down, and I’m still incredibly inspired daily to create artwork in and of nature.
I wasn’t sure when I started the Qi Gong teacher training what would happen. I knew it could be challenging, and I thought it would upend my life: I was right on both counts. The old foes of doubt, fear, and anger still visit from time to time, but now I have incredibly effective tools to understand them, as well as a way forward, and a plan for uncovering my true path and potential.
My plan is to teach to Qi Gong to both adults and children, while I continue to cultivate my own energy and creative projects! I am going to continue writing and creating artwork, and moving them forward with fervor and precision. I know that they will reach their intended audience in exactly the amount of time they need to get there. Hope to see you somewhere along the way! 🙂