On Friday morning, I started my day at WICE’s first Qi-Gong class. Rooted in over 4,000 years of tradition, Qi-Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is a gentle but powerful practice combining flowing movement, breathwork, and mindful focus to help you feel balanced, centered, and fully alive.
Arriving just before 10, I was greeted by our instructor, Emmanuel Garcia, a certified Qi-Gong instructor with 15+ years of experience. Martin Luther King Park still felt sleepy and quiet, the morning light just starting to peek through the trees. Once we had all arrived, Emmanuel eased us into the practice with an explanation on the body’s energy points- how they relate to the elements around us and the organs they correlate to. She spoke clearly, using hand gestures to help us follow along, and patiently answered our questions (even as we stumbled through them in broken French).
Standing in a circle, Emmanuel guided us through a series of positions, coming around to help correct postures and point out our energy points. As we woke up our bodies, the sun crept higher and the chirping birds got louder, as if the park was stretching with us. The class was the perfect way to start my weekend, energizing my body while sneaking in a bit of French practice. If you’re looking for a new, alternative way to get your body moving while practicing mindfulness, I encourage you to join me and sign up for a future class. No experience needed! Just bring an open mind, a bottle of water, and comfortable clothing.
