Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of movement and meditation; a synergy of posture, breathing techniques, gentle movement and visualization to gather, cleanse and circulate the bodies’ energy or “Qi”. Qigong means “energy skill” and is based on the premise that the human body is an energy system. Some of the many benefits of Qigong include; improved health, the ability to deal with stress and anxiety, more energy and vitality. Benefits for martial arts and other sports include improved strength, flexibility, balance and resistance to injury. Qigong is also a spiritual discipline whose roots go back to the ancient Chinese shamans, Taoists, and Buddhists. They all sought peace and harmony in Nature.
In this workshop, Andrea will give a brief history of Qigong and the fundamental principles, but most of the workshop will be experiential.
We will practice:
Proper qigong posture
One of the most powerful qigong systems often referred to as “the Million Dollar Secret”
A Buddhist qigong, “bone marrow cleansing”
Taoist meditation
Lying down qigong for deep nurturing and restoration
Silk reeling exercises
Walking crane from the Five Animal Frolics
At the end , if time permits, Andrea will demonstrate the Chen Saber form.
Andrea Malik has been training in the martial arts since 1980 and has a certified 6th degree master rank black belt instructor and founder of Forest Spirit Martial Arts and Qigong, an affiliate of the Zen Do Kai Karate Organization. In addition to Taekwondo, Andrea teaches Tabata, Qigong, and Women’s Self Defense – Awakening the Warrior Within. A highly acclaimed SUNY Potsdam CLEAR instructor for decades, Andrea also taught cardio kickboxing and a mixed discipline class entitled The Perfect Blend. She is a student of renowned Qigong master Kenneth Cohen since 1999 and is a graduate of his Qigong teacher certification program, often assisting his workshops at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge MA. Andrea is certified with Dr. Yang Yang’s Evidence Based Qigong and Taiji Program and studies Chen style Taiji and Taiji Saber with him and often assists him at Kripalu. In in addition Andrea studies a variety of systems with Qigong Master Robert Peng. Andrea is a certified personal trainer and level 1 Animal Flow Instructor.
Andrea has also taught classes and or workshops at St Lawrence and Clarkson universities and Canton college. Andrea, aka the “Black Fly Diva”, has worked for the town of Colton since 1985 as director of the Bti Black fly and Mosquito Control Programs and more recently, Invasive Species Program. Following her passion for nature the outdoors and everything wild, Andrea studied tracking, awareness and survival with Tom Brown Jr and occasionally teaches tracking workshops. Andrea enjoys playing Native American style flutes, canoeing, paddleboarding and camping. Andrea is a graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a bachelor’s degree in geology and biology and lives in the foothills of the Adirondacks on the Raquette River in Colton NY.
Join us October 15 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Church Social Room. Please bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Made possible by our World Spiritual Practices Grant through the UU Funding Program.