Weekly Medical Qigong Online Classes

Based on the principles and philosophy underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Medical Qigong uses meditative movement to stimulate self-healing. The exercise combines movement, breathing and awareness to target and strengthen specific organs and energy centres.

Foundations of Medical Qigong Online Course

• 16 September to 16 December 2023 (14 weeks) 
• 2 March to 29 June (18 weeks)
• Saturdays 13:00 to 14:30 (UK time)

For the new academic year 2023/2024 we are delighted to introduce a brand-new course which combines the ancient wisdom of the Chinese solar calendar with Traditional Chinese Medicine principles in Qigong practice.

The ancient Chinese observed the effect of the seasons on health and developed the fundamental theories of health preservation according to changes in day length, heat and cold, humidity, and other environmental factors. Their close observation of nature also resulted in the development of a detailed solar calendar. The 12 months of the year were divided into 24 ‘mini seasons’ each reflecting the behaviour of plants, animals, and weather patterns, providing a guide to planting as well as all kinds of other human activities. Most importantly, these subtle changes in the seasons were linked to changes observed in the body, and hence to regimes for promoting health.

In Tune with Nature: The Solar Calendar and Qigong for the Internal Organs course is a unique opportunity to learn about the basic principles of Chinese medicine and how to practice seasonally based qigong routines that support the internal organs. Each week our tutors will introduce a little theory and plenty of practice to help tune your health to the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer months.

Our weekly online classes are brought to you direct from Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine (JUXCM) every Saturday lunchtime from 13:00 to 14:30. JUXCM is one of China’s leading TCM universities and specialises in cutting-edge research into Qi Theory.

Course tutors

Tutor and PhD student Ms Zhao Zhangyang has received her training in Medical Qigong at Jiangxi University under the supervision of Professor Zhang Wenchun. She has worked closely with the Confucius Institute to set up and run our weekly Qigong classes and assisted with research into the Lung-Strengthening Qigong exercise. Over the past two years she has also taught the Body–Mind–Form and Three Centres Merge online courses.

Mr Zhu Wanfeng (Peter) is an experienced practitioner and teacher of Zhineng Qigong having taught for over 10 years all over China and abroad in Holland, Hungary, Germany, Israel and Tunisia. He is now postgraduate student in Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, majoring in Qigong and TCM, studying under Prof. Zhang Wenchun. He has taught the Sleep-Improving Qigong Course and is part of a joint research project between the UWTSD Confucius Institute and Northumbria University Wellbeing Informatics Team.

Course contents

You can download the course handbook below:

• Seasonal Health Qigong Course Guide [PDF format]
• Seasonal Health Qigong Course Guide [Word format]

Term 1: 16 September – 16 December 2023

Term 2: 2 March 2024 – 18 June 2024

Registration

Registration allows you to access our weekly online Medical Qigong classes and receive video recordings of all the sessions throughout the whole academic year of September 2023 to July 2024.

Please register and pay on the University's online store.

Creative Qigong

Qigong is practice which can enhance all aspects of our lives to help us flourish. We are interested in how your qigong practice gives creative impetus to your lives. Please upload your creative responses on our Qigong Practice Padlet page.