Written by: Nicole Lee, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In the past, the journey to becoming a Qigong Teacher was a lifelong pursuit, often within family lineages specializing in distinct styles. For those outside these lineages, seeking out a master was the norm, dedicating decades to relentless study and practice. Qigong Teachers emerged from profound personal experiences, honed over thousands of hours of dedicated effort.
We live in an era characterized by courses, certifications, structured curricula, and measurable achievements. However, the path to becoming a proficient Qigong Teacher hasn't fundamentally altered. It still requires unwavering dedication to practice – both in mastering the physical forms and embracing an understanding of formlessness.
Navigating the path to becoming a Qigong teacher in modern Western Culture
Becoming a Qigong Teacher in modern Western culture poses greater challenges, demanding both devoted practice and a solid grasp of underlying theory and philosophy. In traditional settings, students would primarily observe and emulate the master's teachings without delving into questioning or seeking detailed explanations for every aspect of wisdom connected to the practice.
In 2013, I embarked on my first Qigong instructor training with a traditional-style teacher. I learned a sequence of Qigong movements and was instructed to practice, practice, practice so that’s what I did. The course included some theory, mainly from a book we were given. However, I don't recall much about that part; the focus was mainly on expressing and experiencing the movements.
Another year went by and I was hungry for more. I traveled halfway across the world and attended a Qigong Teacher Training delivered by a Western teacher. This was a bit different and included more theory, although again it was primarily focused on the experience of the practice, it was essentially ten days of immersion in Qigong practice. Through participating in this program I began to understand the depth of theory and philosophy that underpins Qigong and how having some understanding of these aspects brought more awareness and intention to the physical practice of form and movement. I realized that the physical expression of Qigong felt more powerful when I understood the why and how of what I was expressing.
By 2016 I had come to understand that teaching Qigong required a set of skills distinct from simply practicing it. To become a Qigong Teacher, one needs to master the form and movements of Qigong, grasp the fundamental theory supporting the practice, and also cultivate the ability to teach and facilitate through visual demonstration and verbal communication.
It’s a lot.
Revealing the simplicity of Qigong practice
When someone sees a person practicing Qigong in a park, or a video on YouTube it looks pretty easy. The practitioner is moving slowly and waving their arms around, stepping a little side to side or aligning their body on certain angles. Qigong is deceivingly simple — we stand, we move, we breathe.
It's deceptive because there's more happening than meets the eye. There are intricate details expressed through posture, alignment, and movement, facilitating the flow of energy throughout the body. A small detail in expression can greatly impact the effectiveness of a posture or movement. Those trained in Qigong, can often discern the difference in the felt experience of a movement or form when it's not expressed quite right.
Once we understand these elements and aspects of the modality it’s clearer as to why personal experience and practice are so essential. The Qigong Teacher must not just grasp the basic or crude aspect of movement but also the intricate details and nuances of the forms. They must clearly demonstrate these nuances using both visual and verbal cues while creating an environment that encourages flow and presence.
In my experience, these are the things that the most proficient and adept Qigong Teachers can do. These skills that create the magic of Qigong, they’re integral to the essence of the practice, enabling the smooth flow of energy within the body and establishing a space for the mental and emotional ease commonly experienced during and after practice.
To become a proficient Qigong Teacher, one must:
Learn the form — movement, posture, and alignment.
Understand and embody the nuances of the forms and movements.
Study and incorporate the theory and philosophy underpinning Qigong.
Establish a specific Qigong vocabulary and language.
Develop the ability to perceive and discern energy.
Cultivate presence, awareness and attentiveness.
Qigong is not considered an art for nothing! Each of these aspects requires dedication, development and practice. If the Qigong Teacher is not able to embody and transmit all of these then how will their students be able to learn and experience the fullness of the practice?
Aspiring Qigong Teachers need to seek out a training program that covers all these aspects. Equally crucial is finding a teacher who is experienced not only in the practice of Qigong but also in teaching and sharing it with others.
Becoming a Qigong Teacher requires dedicating time and creating space within one's daily life; it's a journey that cannot be rushed. Modern lifestyles and the constant busyness pose obstacles for those aspiring to learn or teach Qigong. In many ways, Qigong stands in stark contrast to the culture of busyness. I started my journey in Qigong over a decade ago now and I’m still constantly learning and growing on this path.
Finally, to become a Qigong Teacher one needs to possess a genuine love of Qigong. When I first discovered this practice it felt like a magic potion to me, I was captivated. I wanted to practice, to learn more, and that has continued throughout my years as a practitioner and Qigong teacher.
One cannot teach someone to swim by reading a book on swimming. One cannot teach Qigong by reading a book on Qigong. Becoming an exceptional Qigong Teacher requires dedication to all the mentioned aspects, along with a genuine commitment to the essence that forms the foundation of the practice: the inherent vitality and fluidity present in all aspects of life.
To embark on your journey of Qigong and experience its transformative benefits, visit Nicole Lee Qigong.
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Nicole Lee, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole Lee is an internationally certified Qigong teacher, with training encompassing both Modern and Classical Qigong styles. Over a span of more than ten years instructing Qigong, she has witnessed the transformative impact of this gentle practice on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Nicole approaches Qigong with reverence, advocating for a modern and contemporary perspective to make this ancient healing art accessible to those leading busy and demanding lives.
