Qigong 3 - The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong (In Person)

This program has the prerequisites of Qigong 1 and 2.

Chinese Medicine and Qigong enjoy a long history of relationship, mutually influencing each other in their approach to health and longevity. The Gourd is the symbol of Chinese medicine, and the Cauldron is the symbol of the Taoist arts of health and longevity.

Your introduction to the Gourd and the Cauldron begins with Hua Tu Five Animals Qigong, one of the most well-known systems of health practices. Hua Tu was the founder of Chinese medicine, and his animal qigong forms are designed to enhance both physical and energetic health. In this qigong, the tiger trains tendon strength, the bear trains bone strength, the deer focuses on preserving generative energy, the monkey trains agility, and the bird sends energy from the base of the spine to the head.

As you continue to explore the Gourd and the Cauldron, you will enter the world of Immortals’ Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation and the Red Phoenix Calisthenics. Here, you will learn how to use techniques of breath regulation to work on specific health needs such as improving knee and hip mobility, introducing flexibility into tendons and ligaments, aligning the spine, stimulating bone marrow growth, and strengthening qi stored in the internal organs.

The highlight of Qigong 3 is an evening practice that is designed to strengthen bones and increase bone marrow density. Minimizing the risk of bone fracture and breakage is an important part of preventative medicine.

Our exploration of the world of the Gourd and the Cauldron ends with learning how to let qi that is circulated soak deep inside the body. After we have moved qi through the body, we rest in the relaxed stillness of four more standing qigong postures, allowing what we have practiced to have long lasting benefits.

The cultivation of body needs to be balanced by the cultivation of mind. Therefore, shamatha meditation (as taught in the Shambhala Centers) will be integrated with qigong practice throughout the program.

This program is not recommended beyond the first trimester of pregnancy. 

Dale Asrael studies qigong with, and has been authorized to teach by, Daoist lineage-holder Eva Wong. She leads retreats and meditation programs internationally. She has taught as Core Faculty at Naropa University since 1992 in the M.A. Buddhist Studies, Contemplative Education, and Counseling programs, and is an Upadhyaya (Buddhist minister).

Mark Kelleher has been studying and receiving instruction from Eva Wong, a 19th generation lineage holder in the Pre-Celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) of Taoism, since 2008. He has been authorized to teach by Dr. Wong since 2017. Mark holds diplomas and national licenses in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine.  

Our Generosity Policy: We have a generosity policy to make our offerings available to all who wish to participate. If the program price is an obstacle, please consider what works for you and "enter an amount."

Repeat participants are welcome to a 50% discount.

For those who can offer more than the program price, we have a “Patron Price.” Your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full price.