Aloha Friends, and happy Libra Full Moon!
This spring, I began teaching Beginner’s Sunset Qigong with the Honolulu Dept. of Parks & Recreation. It’s been a beautiful journey — and I’m excited to invite you to recalibrate your energy with me at this Libra Full Moon*.
I filmed this class in Honolulu, held at the Maunalani Community Center.
Try it for free!
🌟 Going forward, all paid subscribers will receive access to at least ten qigong sessions a year, in addition to my regular writing and my podcast Soft Human Voice. Yet another beautiful benefit of supporting this work!
I look forward to practicing with you.
Mahalo,
p.s.- incidentally, the first full moon of spring is also known as the ‘Pink Moon’ - which, of course, I did not know when I chose to wear a pink moon t-shirt!
What is Qigong?
*“Qi translates as ‘life force energy.’ Qi permeates every living being, binding humans, nature, and animals together. It is invisible yet vital, palpable, and tangible. It flows through everything and gives life its dynamism.
Qi is not solely spiritual or physical and is recognized by its effects. We can sense a quality of well-being and vitality when qi is harmoniously flowing.
Gong translates as ‘work’ or ‘cultivation.’ Qigong is an energy management practice. The goal is not just physical fitness but achieving a state of harmony within. It encourages us to be harmonious with ourselves and the natural world. And it is the recognition that our health and well-being are deeply interconnected with Nature.”
— Kseny Gray, Qigong Teacher Training
The Many (Documented) Benefits of Qigong:
• Increases physical mobility, balance, and energy
• Enhances mental clarity, cognition, and memory
• Supports better quality sleep
• Improves pain management outcomes
• Cultivates mind-body awareness and presence
• Releases stuck energy, fatigue, and tension
• Soothes and regulates the nervous system
• Boosts immunity and decreases depression and anxiety
• Creates a positive life outlook
• Accessible to all fitness levels — no prior experience needed!
Why I Practice Qigong
Peri-menopause was an extremely difficult chapter for me. I visited many practitioners — both traditional and alternative — and while no one modality completed the picture, each offered something helpful.
One day, I came across a gentle qigong video on YouTube. I tried it out and immediately resonated with the instructor, Kseny. I began experimenting with her short free videos, often practicing just 15–20 minutes a day.
At the time, I was experiencing deep dips in energy, emotional imbalance, and waking upwards of twenty times a night with surging hot flashes. Sleep was elusive. Synthetic hormones weren't an option for me, and I was tired — deeply tired.
I was also receiving acupuncture — relaxing, yes, but not especially effective for my symptoms. Then I realized: I felt just as good after a qigong session as I did after acupuncture — without the needles!
It made sense. Both acupuncture and qigong are rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), balancing the flow of qi (energy) through the body, just in different ways.
Over time and with steady practice, my energy began to transform. I also found a medical doctor who truly supported my healing journey.
Several years have passed, and today the symptoms that once weighed so heavily on me are no longer part of my daily life. While I now manage menopause with the help of supportive supplements and medication, qigong remains one of my most powerful wellness tools.
...the Maunalani Community Center doors re-opened after almost 20 years!
How My Intuition Led Me to Teach Qigong
It’s been a surprising and joyful journey getting this neighborhood class going — especially since the beautiful Maunalani Community Center had been closed for nearly two decades!
Every day, while walking my dog Magnus past the empty building, I — like many others — would wonder why no one was using it.
Then, about a year ago, something unexpected began happening: I started seeing vivid images of myself practicing qigong inside the building, dancing with the sunlight.
It wasn’t a conscious thought or a dream I was chasing. It felt different — more like a premonition.
The image persisted. Again and again, I would walk past and see myself practicing inside. Finally, after yet another nudge, I laughed aloud and said, “OKAY!! I’ll go see if there’s a number posted.”
There was. I called, introduced myself, and explained that I would love to teach qigong there. I expected a no. Instead, I heard:
"The only way you can do that is if we hire you as an employee."
Without hesitation, I said yes.
It took more than a year of paperwork, but now I’m officially teaching qigong in a space that hadn’t been used in nearly twenty years — a true gift to the community and to my own heart.
Want to Learn More?
Most people I meet have heard of qigong but haven’t experienced it.
Here are a few resources from the NIH to explore:
A Comprehensive Review of Tai Chi and Qigong
Qigong and a Tale of Two Back Complaints
✨ Takeaway: While research is still emerging, studies show that consistent practice of qigong can create profound benefits over time. Those who practice daily (or several times a week) over a period of months to years report transformative shifts in health and well-being.
Even a daily 20-minute session, or several longer (hour-long) sessions each week are beneficial. Start simple. Allow yourself to explore nourishing qigong.
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