education
For 25 years we have been students of both ancient and modern bodymind practices learning from some of the best teachers nationally and internationally. We are excited to share these healing exercises so you can learn how to improve your health and well being beyond the treatment rooms.
What We Offer
Meditation & Qigong
Qigong (pronounced "chee-kung") is a safe and sustainable way to exercise your body, mind and energy Qi Gong exercises are important tools for maintaining physical health and nourishing energy. They not only strengthen the tendons and ligaments, but also increase circulation, regulate the breath and sharpen the Mind. Qigong (气功 or 氣功) increases vitality by aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation. Typically a Qigong practice involves natural breathing, coordinated with slow repetition of easy movement and a calm mindful state.
In clinical practice Qigong serves as a Chinese form of physical therapy. Patients are often given these exercises to retrain proper body mechanics when utilizing injured or unstable limbs. Exercises are also given to help reduce stress, improve digestion and transform emotions. With regular practice, these exercises can help patients to slowly and safely change the alignment of their bodymind.
Seated meditation is just a less outwardly physical Qigong practice. The Tao Basics are taught under the ancient principle preserved and adapted by the Universal Healing Tao system from Grandmaster Mantak Chia. All exercises need to be learned from an actual instructor and not from a video. We are certified to teach these practices and have years of experience to guide your personal health and wellness journey.
We teach qigong and mediation practices primarily from the Universal Healing Tao, but also from the International Institute of Medical Qigong and Internal Arts International
Internal Martial Arts
These "soft arts" are are collectively referred to as Nei Jia Quan (內家拳), which literally means “inner family boxing”, or “inner school boxing.” The term Nei Jia Quan refers specifically to styles of martial arts that in English we call “internal”, like Tai Chi Chuan. These fighting arts also have many qigong forms and is where we see overlap in the pedagogy. Many teachers of internal martial arts never really say what an internal art is because the nature of something ‘internal’ is sensed and experienced personally, rather than perceived externally. Chinese internal martial arts focus on relaxation, mind-intention, stillness and natural movement. Rather than stressing techniques and developing muscular strength, speed and athletic prowess, training looks inward. Internal focus is an important part for building and maintaining health, flexibility and refined strength. Additionally, training principles of the Internal Arts are completely congruent with the principles of Chinese medicine. This includes a deep understanding of the unified nature of the body, mind and spirit, and their connection to the natural world.
Our lineage arts come from Master Tom Bisio. We teach Liang Style Ba Gua Zhang and Shanxi Style Xing Yi Quan.
Taichigong
Taichigong is a simple and effective exercise practice for all ages an abilities. It was synthesized at The Breathing Tree as an easy, 20 minute routine to energize the body and relax stress and tension. It is an excellent lifestyle addition to support healthy blood pressure, deeper breathing, better rest and gastrointestinal health.
This routine equally works both left and right sides of the body, needs very little space and no special equipment. Our unique form takes its structure from a Wu Taichi energy form, its' style from Yang Family Taichi forms and the positioning of our body is aligned with the 8 directions of the compass.
Taichigong is for great beginners or adepts alike. It can be used as a short practice to continually refine "grasping the sparrow hawk's tail" or as a daily moving meditation under the sun and stars.
Finally, if you would like to complete your Tai Chi Chuan training as a martial art, only a small handful of teachers in the U.S. have this skill and authority. Fortunately, we have an invitation to host weekend workshops with Master H.Won Gim every two months. Email us to find out more details!