Derek Fowler's Reviews

Through beginning classes in Qigong with Derek Fowler, I have learned ways to be aware of the energy that flows around me and through my body. I have increased my strength in a subtle way, and become more limber. No matter how tired I am at the end of a busy day, an hour of Qigong in class with Derek renews my energy, my feeling of well being, and I am calm, smiling and at peace. I practice as much as I can during my week, and come away from the weekly classes with a new depth in understanding my energy and my body.

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 would highly recommend Derek Fowler's Qigong classes to anyone interested in increasing his/her energy, flexibility, and overall health. I have practiced qigong with Derek for a number of years and have been impressed with his dedication to the study of qigong and related disciplines.

One of the things that distinguishes Derek from other instructors is his deep understanding of the energetic basis of the Wild Goose qigong forms. Almost anyone can learn or even teach surface movements, but Derek's detailed, yet intuitive instruction--based on many years study of Chinese five element theory--enhances his students' ability to progress at a steady rate.

In Derek's classes, the focus is on developing a solid foundation from which to build future and more complex skill. He's great at breaking movements down into step-by-step segments, is patient and has a unique and fun sense-of humor. The classes are structured, yet informal and relaxing, with a sense of camraderie.

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.