Evidence Based Qigong (EBQ): The Essential Mind/Body/Spirit Foundation
Level I Qigong Certification

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Background What is Qigong? What are the benefits of Qigong practice? What do you mean by "spirit" or "spiritual exercise"? Relation to Yoga Benefits of Qigong for Yoga practitioners and instructors Relation between Taiji and Qigong (i.e. "Why is this course a prerequisite for Taiji certification?") Course Logistics and Certification Requirements What are the training requirements for teacher certification? What are the recommended instructional materials for the training and certification? When/where is the next teacher certification training event? How do I apply for the next teacher certification training event? How much does it cost? Who can I contact for more information? Are there any area attractions at the next training event for the significant other not interested in Qigong?

Master Yang Yang Alice Brown Dodds photo

The term "qigong" was first popularized in the 1950s in China. Before then, the myriad different aspects of qigong were known mostly by their descriptive names: Tu Na (exhaling and inhaling), Dao Yin (guiding and conducting), An Qiao (massaging), Lian Yang (refining and nourishing), Xiu Lian (cultivating and refining (virtue)), Xiu Zhen (cultivating truth), Jing Zuo (tranquil sitting), Ming Xiang (meditation), Cun Si (mind-visualization), Guan Xiang (observing-imagining), Xing Qi (circulating qi).* Though there are myriad different qigong exercises, all must be understood in light of the ultimate purpose: mind/body/spirit integration.

Any mind/body/spirit integrative practice is qigong. Even walking (or light jogging) with knowledge and engagement in mind/body/spirit integrative principles is a qigong exercise. Conversely, walking (or any physical movement) with the mind and spirit disengaged (e.g. while talking on the phone or listening to mp3s), though perhaps valuable aerobic exercise, does not approach the depth of qigong exercise. Similarly, "taking deep breaths" can be a simple physical strategy to relax or calm down, but is not qigong. Integrating physical breathing instruction, however, with other mental/spiritual integrative principles can be a fundamental aspect of some qigong exercises. (There is a tendency in America to over-simply and misrepresent qigong as "breathing exercises." Though breathing can be a point of emphasis in some qigong exercises, in many fundamental qigong exercises the traditional teaching is to "be natural" and to forget about the breath completely. In other words, focus on the breath can be one technique of mind/body/spirit integrative exercises, but is not a defining component of qigong.)

Understanding qigong as mind/body/spirit integrative practice is also the key to understanding why it is so widely beneficial.

* Liu Tianjun, Chinese Medical Qigong. Singing Dragon: Philadelphia. 2010.

Physical exercise and benefit:	Principles of natural postural alignment in sitting, standing, lying down, and moving postures improve circulation, reduce myriad types of pain caused by poor posture (e.g. back, knee, neck, and shoulder pain), and promote injury avoidance. Physical movement yields cardiovascular health improvements common to moderate aerobic exercise, as well as improvements in balance, range of motion/flexibility, bone density, and lower body and core strength.
Mental exercise and benefit:	Emphasis on intention and other mental principles of practice directly exercises the connection between the central and peripheral nervous systems, yielding physical mind/body integrative benefits of agility, force control, and improved motor skills as well as cognitive benefits from learning new movement. The exercise of meditation yields improvements in mental clarity and focus and (the very important) practice of behavioral modifying psychological principles and values in meditation yields a positive mental attitude and reinforces philosophical understanding and awareness that develops through spiritual awakening.
Spiritual exercise and benefit:	Self-awareness, or realization of one's true nature, and understanding of the world and one's relation and interaction with the world, are integral to understanding the traditional teachings that "relaxation and tranquility are the reasons why qigong can heal you." Qigong masters are often revered as wise persons in Chinese culture, in recognition of their peaceful bearing and philosophical understanding of life. See the section What do you mean by "spirit" or "spiritual exercise?" for more information about spiritual benefits of qigong practice.

In medical terms, the mechanisms of Qigong benefits are often systemic, and not localized. Through mind/body/spirit integrative exercise we are restoring the natural balance of the nervous and immune systems, which, through the work of the scientific field of psychchoneuroimmunology (PNI), we now know are biologically interconnected and in constant two way communication through both direct innervation of lymphatic tissue and biochemical signals. (It was not that long ago that conventional Western medicine held that the immune system was completely independent of the nervous system.) In understanding this systemic mechanism, we can understand how qigong can be beneficial to a wide range of nervous and immune system disorders. Published pilot study research has shown that this EBQ program is significantly effective in improving older adults' immune response to flu vaccination after only three weeks of practice, three times a week.

In the end, qigong practice yields a sense of holistic well-being that is difficult to communicate intellectually - it must be experienced to be understood.

Though the potential benefits of qigong are many, it must be acknowledged that qigong is not a pill. The "dosage" of qigong is dependent upon many factors, including curriculum design, instructor aptitude, and student understanding and effort. The depth of mind/body/spirit engagement, and therefore the therapeutic "dosage" of qigong, is dependent upon an intensity of effort that is considerably different, yet equally important, as the intensity of aerobic exercise. It is traditionally taught that five minutes of high quality qigong practice is better (i.e. yields a higher dosage) that one hour of incorrect practice.

Spirituality, then, is exercise in understanding our true nature and relation to others and to the world. It is the most practical thing imaginable, as it is the path of realization of awareness, wisdom, compassion, love, tranquility, and joy today.

What we do not mean is religiosity. Religion is an institutionalized system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that requires a commitment or devotion to a shared faith. Qigong is not in any way a religion. It does not require, nor espouse, any particular system of religious beliefs or practices. Qigong does not demand faith in any dogma; it is a path of experiential knowing, rooted in more than a millennia of experience and trial and error. Spirituality recognizes what all great teachers have taught: that God is within you, that you are always united with God (however you may define this indefinable concept). However, core spiritual and philosophic principles common to the world’s spiritual traditions, such as understanding of the duality of nature and necessity of overcoming ego and "looking within," are an essential aspect of Qigong. In qigong, one looks within to experience what is, not what one thinks, or has been told, should be.

The root of the ancient yoga tradition is mind/body/spirit integrative exercise - from this perspective, yoga and qigong are interchangeable terms. Indeed, qigong is often referred to as "Chinese yoga."

There is a great deal of difference in qigong and yoga instructor's understandings of their respective arts. Indeed, in my book I quoted from the classical yoga sutra "performed in all states and stages, on all planes of mind" when describing qigong practice. As long-time practitioners, however, we know that the essential foundation, as well as the ultimate purpose, of yoga and qigong is the same. The Chinese word "qi" is identical in meaning to the Sanskrit "prana." The meaning of the word yoga - union - is exactly the same as the Daoist principle of oneness.

Yoga instructors have stated the following benefits of supplementing their teaching/practice with this qigong curriculum:

• qigong provides new material to teach to existing students, without adopting "competing styles" of yoga practice
• broadening the curriculum attracts a potentially wider student base
• qigong is low impact relative to some styles of yoga - good for beginners, older students, or other practitioners who are physically unable to adopt more rigorous yoga postures
• traditional qigong is an energy nurturing, restorative exercise, and may be attractive to those who do not enjoy, or believe, the "no pain, no gain" mentality of some exercise regimens. (We often remind our students that the qigong approach is "no pain, more gain.")
• the relaxation and tendon/core strengthening benefits of qigong can complement and deepen the practice of yoga.
• some instructors have found that experimenting with prana or qi through qigong has enhanced their understanding of the holistic mind/body/spirit root of training
• environmental conditions, as well as student's physical capabilities, sometimes preclude lying down exercise: traditional qigong is performed in standing, sitting, and lying-down postures (one teacher specifically noted the difficulty of teaching yoga at a women's prison and in some settings for current military and veterans)

Taiji form (if done correctly) is one kind of qigong practice. Taiji, however, is a complex, multimodal exercise and traditional training includes much more than slow, choreographed, physical movement. Other qigong exercises are part of the essential foundation of efficient taiji practice.

Entering the Taiji Circle - a brief personal story from Dr. Yang: Dr. Yang’s teacher, Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, taught him that certain qigong exercises are essential to "enter the Taiji circle." Dr. Yang first met Grandmaster Feng in Shanghai in 1982. Grandmaster Feng was there at the invitation of the Chinese government as a principal representative of the Chen style at the historic first "all-family taiji master" gathering, and was invited to stay and teach in Shanghai after demonstrating. By that time, Dr. Yang had won the Shanghai all-collegiate taiji tournament three years running, had been selected as "best overall martial artist" after the last tournament, and was teaching taiji at the Shanghai Chen style research association. Dr. Yang met Grandmaster Feng in his hotel room, where Grandmaster Feng invited him to show his taiji ability in friendly "push-hands" practice. Though Dr. Yang was in his 20s and Grandmaster Feng was in his late 50s, Yang was unable to stand in front of Grandmaster Feng, who repeatedly, but gently, threw him away. As Dr. Yang says, he was glad it was a small room. Grandmaster Feng told him directly "boy, you are the champion, but you have not even entered the Taiji circle yet," to which Dr. Yang replied "Master Feng, how do I enter the circle?" Master Feng's answer was that traditional taiji practice is much more than choreographed form and that he needed to practice and understand the foundational qigong, or mind/body/spirit integrative exercises.

EBQ Course Logistics and Level I Qigong Certification Requirements

What are the training requirements for teacher certification?

A. Minimum Training Hours

• 32 contact hours with Dr. Yang. Contact hours with Dr. Yang may be fulfilled by: 1) five day intensive EBQ training offered through the Center for Taiji Studies, or 2) combined weekend and 5-day training events at Kripalu Yoga Center in Stockbridge, MA or Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA.
• 100 hours of self-practice. After completing the home study you may request a certification test with Dr. Yang or a Senior EBT Instructor.

B. Testing Requirements

• Teaching experience - 80 hours minimum (over 2 years) plus letters of recommendation from clients demonstrating on-going successful classes;
  
  and
  
  
• Continuing Education - 20 hours that can be fulfilled as follows:
  
      a. At least 10 hours in programs/seminars/camps/trainings/workshops, etc., offered by The Center For Taiji Studies (or 75 hours of weekly classes at the CTS).
      b. Self-directed study - up to 10 hours participation in other Taiji programs/seminars/trainings/workshops etc. offered by others outside of the Center for Taiji Studies (or 75 hours of weekly classes). Instruction from others outside of the CTS must be submitted for approval in advance.
  
  or
  
  
• Recertification through examination: A performance exam and interview with Dr. Yang, or a senior instructor, may be used for recertification.

Note: The Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies reserves the right to modify re-certification requirements as deemed appropriate for effective quality control.

• Dr. Yang Yang's Evidence-Based Taiji & Qigong DVD (includes key "how to" points for both qigong and the introductory taiji movement form, useful for performance examination)
• Taijiquan: The Art of Nurturing, The Science of Power (includes information on essential qigong exercises, useful for written examination)
• Elixir: Music for Moving and Still Meditation (useful for your class instruction and personal practice)

1. The next 5-day CTS training event will be September 15-20, 2013, at the Blowing Rock Conference Center, Blowing Rock, NC. Complete information is provided below. This will provide all 32 contact hours required for certification. This course will also offer course material for those wishing to complete the second week of training for Evidence-Based Taiji (EBT) certification.


2. Weekend (2-day) training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, February 22-24, 2013. (8 contact hrs)


3. Weekend (2-day) training at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, May 17-19, 2013. (8 contact hrs)


4. 5-day training at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, May 19-24, 2013. (23.5 contact hours)


5. Weekend (2-day) training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health , June 21-23, 2013. (8 contact hrs)


6. Week-long (5-day) training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, June 23-28, 2013. (23.5 contact hrs)


7. Weekend (2-day) training at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health , Nov. 8-10, 2013. (8 contact hrs)

1. Interested persons must first submit an application. Space is limited to ensure adequate training with Dr. Yang, so you are encouraged to apply early.
   
   
2. If your application is accepted, you must complete registration and submit either a downpayment or full payment via check or money order within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance. The link above will open a waiver/license form agreement, which must be submitted before registration. After accepting the waiver/license agreement, you may then register with either the on-line or mail-in registration forms.

Testing: Each private certification performance evaluation (60 minutes) with Dr. Yang or a Senior EBT instructor will cost $200 (if testing in person in NYC, a $45/60 min studio renting fee is also applied).

You can email us with questions, or if you want to speak to a person call Scott at 347.989.3388.

2007 EBT Group Photo

Travel/Directions:

Meals:

Lodging:

Lodging and Meal Cost:

• Cabins - $275
  
• Lodge - Single Occupancy - $515
• Lodge - Double Occupancy - $375 per person
• Commuter Rate (meals only) - $155

Application

1. Interested persons must first submit an application. Space is limited to ensure adequate training with Dr. Yang, so you are encouraged to apply early.
   
   
2. If your application is accepted, you must complete registration and submit either a downpayment or full payment via check or money order within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance. The link above will open a waiver/license form agreement, which must be submitted before registration. After accepting the waiver/license agreement, you may then register with either the on-line or mail-in registration forms.

Registration/Tuition Deposit:

Refunds/Deadlines: