Qigong Classes at The Pin Cushion!

What is qigong?

The term qìgōng (氣功), as it is used today, is a term popularized in China during the 1950’s to describe a wide variety of mind and body cultivation practices.

What type of qigong will be offered at The Pin Cushion?

The Taoist qigong taught at The Pin Cushion by David Derdiger is a collection of Chinese health promoting exercises that use gentle movements, self-massage, and awareness to promote a balanced state of body-mind and longevity.

How do I know if the type of qigong offered at The Pin Cushion is right for me?

The qigong taught by David serves to benefit anyone seeking mental clarity, stillness, and tension-relief, and is a tool for promoting your own state of relaxation and qi flow. Qigong is not meant to be a replacement for conventional forms of medicine; if you have serious health concerns you should always consult your primary care physician before adding qigong to your regimen.

How do I get the most out of qigong?

Qigong, like acupuncture, is a process where the benefits are best realized over time through regular practice. Ideally, coming to class twice a week and practicing 20 minutes a day yields the best results, but even coming to class once a week and practicing 5 minutes a day can lead to significant changes in awareness of one’s body, mind, and habits; the key is regular, daily practice.

Okay, sounds great! When can I start?

David teaches one-hour classes three times a week, Wednesday mornings, Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. Classes are $15 each. Class sizes are limited so please sign up in advance! Go to our regular "Schedule an Appointment" page to book online using Appointment Plus.

Wednesday	Thursday	Sunday
7:15am
		3:15pm
	8:15pm

Classes start promptly at their scheduled times. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early as the doors will be locked 5 minutes before classes begin.

Two types of classes will be offered most weeks out of each month, Qigong Foundations and Chan Si Gong.

Qigong Foundations:

This class is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Foundations emphasizes fundamental movements, softness, nature of intent, and stillness. Bringing awareness to these principles can strengthen any mindfulness practice.

Chan Si Gong (Silk Reeling Skill):

Chan si gong uses round, soft movements to open the 18 major pivots of the body so that the qi can flow smoothly in the channels and return to the center to be stored. By moving softly and paying attention to the open spaces, finding stillness in the mind naturally becomes easier.

The second Wednesday, third Thursday, and fourth Sunday of every month will be a Foundations class. This is intentional as regular revisiting of foundational material is encouraged.