Introduction to Qigong
Energy Transformation for Health & Well-Being
3.5-hour online workshop and practice
What becomes possible when you awaken and refine your Qi (life force energy) as an integrative health practice?
This experiential workshop offers an accessible introduction to qigong, a mind–body practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine that combines movement, breath, attention, and the cultivation of life force energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Qigong is often translated as “energy cultivation.”
Through mini-lectures and guided practices, participants will begin to awaken their sensitivity to Qi, experience it directly, and explore ways of moving and transforming energy with intention. The workshop introduces the YOQI® method of the Six Phases of Qi Flow, which draws on the Five Element cycle of Traditional Chinese Medicine as a framework for understanding and working with the movement of Qi.
Participants will learn accessible qigong movements, breathing practices, and other practical tools for shifting stagnant energy, reducing stress, cultivating vitality, and supporting greater balance and resilience in everyday life. The workshop emphasizes experiential learning, inviting participants to discover how qigong can be used in simple, practical ways to feel more grounded, clear, energized, and empowered.
No prior experience with qigong is required. Participants are encouraged to approach the practices with curiosity, kindness, and an openness to discovering their own experience of Qi.
Qigong offers an accessible and integrative mind–body practice that brings together movement, breath, attention, and the cultivation of Qi (life force energy). This experiential workshop provides an opportunity to explore qigong in a supportive, health-informed setting while developing practical tools that can be integrated into daily life.
The workshop introduces participants to the YOQI® method of the Six Phases of Qi Flow, which draws on the Five Element cycle of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Through guided practice, reflection, and experiential learning, participants will explore ways of awakening, refining, and moving Qi, with an emphasis on cultivating greater balance, vitality, presence, and well-being.
This workshop is designed to be welcoming and accessible to a wide range of participants. Qigong practices are gentle and can be adapted for different bodies, abilities, and energy levels. Participants are encouraged to listen to their own needs and to rest, modify, or pause as needed.
You are welcome to participate seated or standing, and cameras may be on or off at any time. There is no expectation to perform or keep up with others—each practice emphasizes self-paced exploration, awareness, and choice.
If you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss specific needs in advance, please reach out to the Osher Center Public Classes team.
The workshop will offer a supportive, inclusive space to explore:
- Gentle qigong practices as a form of moving meditation
- Guided practices for awakening and developing sensitivity to Qi
- The YOQI® Six Phases of Qi Flow method and its relationship to the Five Element cycle of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Movement and breath practices for cultivating and intentionally moving Qi
- Experiential exercises for exploring how qigong can be applied in everyday situations
- Guided reflection and optional group discussion
- A closing practice to settle and integrate
Practices are accessible to beginners and emphasize choice, self-pacing, and listening to your own body.
We explore qigong through the lenses of mindfulness, embodiment, and integrative health. Qigong can be understood as an embodied form of moving meditation in which movement, breath, attention, and Qi work together.
The YOQI® method, developed by Marisa Cranfill, provides a framework for experiencing and working with the movement of Qi through the Six Phases of Qi Flow. The method offers practical tools for developing greater awareness of energy and how it moves. The emphasis throughout the workshop is experiential: rather than simply learning about Qi, participants are invited to develop their own sensitivity to and experience of Qi through guided practice.
As with any movement or breath-based approach, some conditions may require extra care.
- Qigong may not be appropriate at this time for individuals with unstable cardiovascular conditions, acute injuries, significant balance issues without support, vertigo aggravated by movement, active psychosis or severe dissociation, or acute infections.
- Practices are always optional, and participants are encouraged to prioritize their own comfort and safety.
- Participants may modify, pause, or rest during any practice as needed.
- Consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions about whether this workshop is appropriate for you.
This 3.5-hour workshop costs $195.
The workshop is free for individuals who qualify for the Community Care Fund financial assistance program. Discounts are available for University of California (UC) faculty, staff, students, retirees, and UCSF MBSR Alumni.
