Qigong: Flowing Energy for Body and Mind

with Michelle Goldberg

$15 / session, Sol Members at no cost

Teacher: Michelle Goldberg — Sol Center Teacher bios can be found here

Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) is an ancient Chinese practice that combines gentle, flowing movement, conscious breathing, soft stretching and meditation. It helps you build and move qi, your life-force energy, and brings a deeper sense of balance and well-being. People often call it “meditation in motion.” Its slow, rhythmic movements help you relax, reconnect with your body and quiet a busy mind.

This class draws on the teachings of two well-known modern Qigong teachers, Nick Loffree and Lee Holden. Both are known for making traditional Qigong simple, practical and easy to bring into everyday life. Each session blends time-tested forms with a warm, welcoming approach, so you can move at your own pace and feel the benefits from your very first class.

What to Expect
A typical class moves through a gentle sequence that may include:

• Warm-ups and joint openers to loosen the body and wake up circulation
• Breathwork to slow the breath, calm the nervous system and focus your attention
• Flowing movement sequences that stretch and strengthen the body while guiding energy through its natural pathways
• Gentle tapping and self-massage to release stagnant energy and ease tension
• Standing or seated meditation to gather your energy and settle into stillness

The movements are slow, soft and repetitive, so they’re easy to learn and adapt. There’s nothing to get “right” or “wrong.” The practice is about relaxing, listening to your body and letting the movement flow.

Benefits of Qigong
Regular practice can help to:

• Ease pain, stiffness and muscle tension
• Calm the nervous system and lower stress and anxiety
• Improve sleep and support deeper rest
• Increase energy and vitality without leaving you depleted
• Improve balance, flexibility and range of motion
• Support healthy breathing, circulation and digestion
• Bring mental clarity, focus and emotional steadiness

Many students leave class feeling both relaxed and refreshed: grounded, lighter and more at ease in their bodies.

Who It’s For
Qigong is suitable for all ages, fitness levels and abilities. No prior experience is needed. It’s a great fit if you:

• Are new to movement or mindfulness practices
• Want a low-impact option that’s gentle on the joints
• Are recovering from injury, illness or burnout
• Want to add something that deepens your yoga, meditation or fitness routine
• Simply want to slow down, breathe and feel good

You can adapt the movements to your needs, and they can be done standing or seated.

What to Bring
Wear comfortable, loose clothing that lets you move freely.