Lisa Fabry Blog Snake Resting

What is 5 Element Qigong?

If you have been following me for a while, you’ll know that I’m all about yoga and nutrition, so why am I suddenly raving about Qigong?

I started my first yoga class when I was 19 and I’ve loved it ever since, taking my first teacher training in 2001 and devoting many years of my life to practising and teaching. 

Do you know that Yoga means ‘to yoke together, to join with, to unite’ and is variously interpreted to mean uniting: 

However, there are other many mindful movement practices that also do this. 

To me, any kind of mindful movement, anything that gets you INTO your body, CALMS and CLEARS the mind and SOOTHES your soul or spirit is ONE AND THE SAME, whether you call it Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, 5Rhythms, Somatics, Non-Linear Movement or any number of other beautiful, magical practices that humans have dreamed up. 

I have always enjoyed bringing in elements of different practices into my personal yoga and my teaching. 

Over the last 10 years, I’ve been drawn towards the Taoist philosophy of the 5 Elements. I have taught Wu Tao Dance, a beautiful dance practice based on the 5 Elements; helped John Kirkwood, Acupressure Master, with the early edit of his book on, The Way of the Five Seasons; and studied Qigong with Sarah Divine

While I was in the USA in 2021, I wanted to devote some more time to learning about Qigong. I was drawn to White Tiger Qigong, the school that my teacher Sarah had introduced me to. I decided to do the White Tiger instructor training because: 

  1. They teach Ancient Taoist Medical Qigong, based on the philosophy of Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching, which focuses on our connection to Nature, the principles of Yin and Yang, and the 5 Elements.
  2. I found the practice struck the right balance of both strengthening my body and soothing and calming my mind.

This couldn’t have come at a better time for me, for in April 2021 I had contracted Covid, and Qigong practice was the perfect healing modality, helping me to focus on my spirit, regain my vital energy and build my strength and immunity. 

5 Element Qigong is a mindful movement practice that helps Qi (vital energy) to flow freely through the body, and brings balance to the joints, muscles, tissues, organs, and meridians of the body.

The practice is made up of 5 animal forms: sequences of flowing movement, dynamic stretching, breath and intention. Each form targets a different organ of the body, meridian and emotion.

I have found 5 Element Qigong to be a powerful practice for health, focus, mobility, strength and emotional balance.

I am now teaching in-person and online 5 Element Qigong classes and workshops. If you would like to experience this beautiful practice, please get in touch to find out more about current classes and events. 

In good Qi! 

Lisa

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