Qigong (chi kung), meaning “energy skill” in Chinese, has been developed by healers, martial artists and spiritual contemplatives in China over many centuries. It comes from the deep observation of the movements of nature, understanding the physical body, mind and emotions as different manifestations of the same life-force energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”).

Qigong practice activates and supports the body’s natural healing powers. It builds strength and fitness, maintains and increases mobility, calms and balances the nervous system and improves mental clarity. Above all qigong is deeply enjoyable and relaxing.

Qigong can be tailored to practitioners of all ages and levels of fitness, empowering us to make a noticeable difference in our own physical and mental wellbeing. Many practitioners have stayed healthy into advanced old age, and now a growing number of young people are also discovering the pleasure and benefits of qigong. Our classes and events often include people from their 20s to 70s and beyond, and different generations of one family practising together.

No special equipment is needed: just comfortable clothing, soft shoes or bare feet, a non-slip floor surface and enough room to stand and turn around. Many practices can be adapted to be done seated. Qigong is especially delightful practised outdoors when conditions allow, and when they don’t, it is a way of bringing the outdoors inside to us.

Awakening energy

The Qi-mindful logo consists of the Chinese characters for awakening, and for qi, or energy. Our aim is to awaken not only our physical energy and wellbeing but also the wisdom, compassion and love for life that is the true potential of us all.

觉 – jue (pronounced approximately “jwear”) = awareness, awakening or becoming aware of as in jue de = to feel, to be aware of, and in jue zhe = an awakened being

气 – qi (also spelled in English chi, and pronounced “chee”) = energy as in qi gong – energy cultivation, energy skill

觉气 – jue qi = awakening energy

Of mixed British and Chinese heritage, Jaya first discovered tai chi and qigong in Beijing in 1985. She has since practised with a variety of teachers, and is a certified Holden Qigong instructor. Jaya has a lifelong love of movement, and of the outdoors. As well as qigong and tai chi, she has studied dance and yoga, climbed and skied mountains and rowed rivers.

Nowadays she is especially interested in how to integrate our understanding of what it means to care for the whole being – body, mind and spirit – with grace and kindness throughout its lifespan, whatever our circumstances.

Her attitude to qigong is both intelligent and playful, informed by her additional training as a yoga teacher, and enriched with many years of experience practising and teaching mindfulness and insight meditation. Jaya spent eight years as an ordained Buddhist nun, and her contemplative background expresses itself in her way of sharing movement.

Jaya continues to offer Buddhist teaching in the Insight Meditation tradition and to teach secular retreats for mindfulness practitioners, teachers and teachers in training.

For information about Jaya’s dharma teaching and current meditation retreat teaching schedule please visit jayarudgard.co.uk.