Qigong

My husband and I have been interested in Qigong for several years now, but were dissatisfied with previous classes we took in the Seattle area. Then, we found Sifu (a Chinese way to address one's teacher with respect) Fowler's class on TeachStreet.com, like the reviews we read, and decide to sign up for class.

On our first day of class we were impressed with Sifu Fowler's method of teaching, ie his depth of this centuries old knowledge and his abilities to convey them to his students. This allows us to understand the significance of each movement that effects our bodies and the Qi that flows in them. We love the subtleness of the Wild Qigong's movements! We would like to make a commitment to stick with Sifu's classes.

We have only one wish for Sifu to start a new class on the East side of Seattle. Since we live in Sammamish and class time is at 7pm we are right in the middle of the evening commute:-( And, we hate to miss a class with snow or high wind over the bridge.

Derek is a flexible and caring teacher who brings a love of Chinese culture and language to his teaching.

Students are encouraged to develop a thoughtful practice because Derek explains how rudimentary moves are related to more advanced movements.

Since beginning this class my posture is better, my breathing is deeper and I have more energy.

I studied Wild Goose Qigong with Derek Fowler for several years. He is a very thorough teacher who takes time to build a strong, personal relationship with each of his students. Although there is an overall lesson plan, the curriculum is customized for each student, so they can learn at a pace that is comfortable for them. Also, many of the exercises can be performed in a way that makes it easy for students just starting out, who arent in perfect shape yet, or perhaps have a specific health condition or concern. As your understanding and skill level improves, he introduces more advanced concepts and movements. This approach of keeping the energy clear from the beginning is quite helpful, and is why you are likely to see a wide range of ages, skills, and physical conditions in his classes.

Before I joined Derek's classes, I did some research on his affiliations. Derek studies and is certified to teach under Sigong Michael Tse of the Tse Qigong Centre. There are alot of qigong instructors out there, but please take the time to verify their backgrounds before choosing one. Also, although you could try to learn from a book or DVD, I personally believe that for the best results, its important to develop a long term relationship with a qualified instructor. Derek closely observes his students' progression, ensuring that their movements provide maximum effectiveness while also reducing any potential for injury.

I appreciate the fact that Derek's approach focuses on more than just the movement. The concepts taught involve a powerful combination of mental, physical, and technical skills; classes often involved a lecture component to help students understand the philosophy behind the form. The result is an improvement in your overall health, and I can personally attest that you will leave his class feeling much more energetic.

As a final comment, I found that Derek's students tend to be more like family than classmates. We often found ourselves enjoying a good meal together to celebrate some special occasion, or meeting at a local park on a sunny weekend to further refine our skills. Students of the Tse Qigong Center are located throughout the world, and I forged strong friendships with other students from Canada, Montana, the East Coast, and even Europe while studying under Derek.

I found Qi gong to be relaxing and invigorating. Beatiful seriies of movements benefits the body and mind.

This class was just what I needed. I had some old injuries that wanted some attention and the soft gentle movement was perfect for me. Each week we would learn something new and I felt stronger and more energetic. Though I had never studied Qigong before, the teacher was very patient and helpful.

I recommend this class to young and old!