500 Hour (3 – 5 Year)

Qi Gong Teacher Training

Motion…

Reunion…

Stillness…

Join Dr. Michael Smith on a lifelong journey of self-exploration, self-awareness, and personal growth through the practice of Qi Gong.

This ancient practice is sourced from Daoism, Buddhism, and the Indigenous Traditions from Asia.

Ā Qi Gong (Chi Kung) practice is often a combination of gentle fluid movement, meditative stillness, dynamic flexibility, precise breathwork, and profound embodied healing. This ancient yet playful practice is spreading world wide and needs more well trained and highly competant teachers.

What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong (Chi Kung) is an embodied healing and spiritual practice that involves gentle and vigorous movement, deep stretching, focused breath-work, whole body relaxation, meditative awareness, and prolonged immersive stillness. With regular practice most people reawaken a subtle ‘energetic’ awareness of their somatic, physical, emotional, and instinctual experience.

In Chinese Medcine, Qi Gong is considered to be the most potent form of healing!

This practice originated with the Indigenous people of Asia about 7000 years ago, as a form of prayer and communion with nature. At present, Qi GongĀ is practiced all over the world as a method of healing oneself and others, enhancing athletic and martial arts capabilities, as well as cultivating Spiritual awareness and a deeper connection with nature.

Also called Chinese Yoga, Qi Gong is world-renowned for its low impact exercise, gentle and fluid movements and scientifically proven health benefits. In the last two decades, an increased availability of instructors has made it possible for many people to cultivate this life-enriching practice and transform their day-to-day lives.

“As long as the quality of instruction remains high,Ā 
Qi Gong will continue to spread and evolve in the coming decades.”

Why Become a Qi Gong Instructor?

I have studied and practicedĀ Qi Gong for over 40 years.

It began as a part of learning martial arts. Then Qi Gong became my closest ally in EVERY other part of my life. This ancient Indigenous practice is as important to my sense of self and my experience of well-being as eating, sleeping, and sex.

As a front line clinician, IĀ  have seen Qi Gong reverse the process of many chronic illnesses.

I can say, without reservation, that having this anchor in my life has been essential to my good health (including some challenges) and my success as a person in all aspects of my life. The gift of this practice is AMAZING! Imagine being able to choose your energy level, your mood, your patience, and your depth of Spiritual practice every day.

Qi Gong Teachers are Needed now!

Given the terrifying health statistics of the 21st Century, people everywhere are looking for guidance on how to manage stress and how to live a healthier life. This is especially true of the ā€˜Baby Boomerā€™ population.

The epidemic of Obesity, Diabetes, Cancer, Autoimmune Disease, Infertility, and Alzheimerā€™s Disease are all serious warnings that modern life is out of balance. RegularĀ Qi Gong practice, along with the fundamental principles of Traditional ChineseĀ medicine, are profoundly beneficial in keeping us all healthy, fit and happy.

This program includes practices for deep relaxation, gentle therapeutic exercise, shamanic communion with nature, strength training, and hands-on healing. You will also learn about preventative medicine, ancestral nutrition, and folk Daoism.

What is Qi Gong All About ?
In this video I share a basic overview of where Qi Gong comes from and what a practice session often includes.

Are Qi Gong and Yoga the Same?

Since the 1960ā€™sĀ Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Meditation, Breathwork, and Yoga have become normal parts of modern culture for most of us in some way.

It is abundantly clear that movement, stretching, stillness, breathwork, and meditation are experiences that people need to be happy and healthy. Both Qi Gong and Yoga are embodied Spiritual practices.

Both call us to presence, connection, intention and peaceful abundance. Yoga, for the most part, focuses on Asanas, or fixed postures with endless opportunities for deepening subtleties of awareness and practice.Ā Qi Gong also has this practice, although Qi Gong tends to focus more on repetitive, flowing and circular gestures, stretches, and postural rehabilitation. These repetitive and rhythmic opportunities help carry people into deeper states of relaxation and meditative awareness. These symbolic and tangibly emotive movements are often combined into larger choreographed series of movements called ‘forms.’

In my experience, an ā€œEmbodied Spiritual Practiceā€ is the same opportunity no matter what we call it.

Can You Learn Qi Gong Online?

Yes, I thinkĀ Qi GongĀ canĀ be learned, to a certain extent, online.

There are a few succesful courses available online already.

Given the technology so many people have access to, and the level of interaction possible, a person could learn enough online to have a very deep practice. Of course, like any art, the more you interact with other artists, especially those with more experience than you, the better an artist you will likely become.

I often tell my students, after teaching them something new and subtle, ā€œgive that aspect of Qi Gong about 20 years, give or take 20 yearsā€.

These exercises are safe, easy to learn (mostly) and deeply enjoyable. If you are looking for some basic exercies to get you started there are many free videos on social media.

If you are looking for a complete paradigm of practice, an ancient lineage to carry and a familiy of practitioners, teachers, healers an warriors, the I invite you to join me in a life-changing journey into the mysteries and traditions of Qi Gong.

There is NO HURRY to Become a Master!

This surprises most people, but if you were to go to China and have the good fortune to be able to learn from a high level and famous teacher (they donā€™t always go together), you would most likely find yourself in the back row of a very large and crowded room.

You may catch a glimpse of the ā€˜Masterā€™ every once in a while. Occasionally, he or she may ask everyone to sit down when they demonstrate a specific skill. Finally allowing you to really see them move. In this imagined learning situation, letā€™s also hope they have also provided a really good translator.

Unless you speak Chineseā€¦

Perhaps, after a few years, some people have gone on to other things, some of the higher-level students in the front row have gone on to teach on their own, and you find yourself in the middle of the crowd. You are now easily following the people ahead of you, and occasionally you get little glimpses of the subtleties from the actual teacher.

The newer students behind you are probably following you.

Years later, you find yourself in the front row. Now you are finally watching your teacher every day, or you are watching his chosen disciple every day. Eventually, it will be your turn to practice what you learned infront of all of the people behind you.

All hoping you are doing it right…

The best lesson I have learned and can share with you is that we all practice Qi Gong in our own way eventually. At first we all learn by imitating someone else.

Eventually we all practice from the inside out!

Believe it or not, this is how many westerners who have gone to China actually learned Qi Gong.Ā Watching from a distance, working out the details over many yearsā€¦

I have had teachers who spoke almost no English, even before I knew enough Chinese to ask a question that actually mattered.

I learned a great deal from these men and women because I had no choice but to examine every detail on my own.

I had to watch, learn, imitate and wait for as long as it took for a correction or advice.

So, again, YES! I feel very strongly that, if you are personally interested and invested, as well as dedicated and consistent in your practice, you can learn the fundamentals of Qi Gong from a video.

Especially from videos that are designed to teach in that way.

If you choose to learn this way, we will spend time together regularly. I have a lot of teaching experience and feel confident that I can collaborate with and guide you towards a deep and life-changing personal practice as well as with making Qi GongĀ  a carreer. Or, at least a good part of your income.

This is why I offer regular interactive webinars, private online review and correction sessions as an essential part of this training.
It is also why I offer the 2-Day in-person gathering at the end of your training.

The Three Phases of Becoming a Qi Gong teacher

Becoming an Experienced and confident Qi Gong teacher takes a few years.

A few years of teaching Qi Gong!

The 500 Hour training has three phases so you can begin to teach the essentials while you continue to study the more subtle and advanced aspect of your training.

Phase One: Core Principles Instructor

(Level One – Level Three)

Phase Two: Qi GongĀ  for Health, Fertility, and Logevity

(Level Four – Level Seven)

Phase Three: Full Qi Gong Instructor in the Huan Yuan Lineage of Daoism

(Level Eight- Level Ten)

Each of these programs requiresĀ 2ā€“3 hours of committed practice per week, to effectively study ALL aspects of Qi Gong.

There will be a live ā€˜seasonalā€™ webinar training ā€“Ā  4 times per year

You have access to Bi-Monthly Private lessons, either in person or online with Michael will ensure your competence and confidence.

Ten Levels of Qi Gong Practice, Theory, and Healing

Level One

Fundamentals Of Movement And Breath

We will begin your training by gently stretching and toning every muscle in your body.
As you become more flexible and fit, you will begin to explore the essentials of Breathwork.
You will notice changes in your postural alignment and Energetic Awareness very quickly.
It is always a good idea to try new things carefully, especially if you are new to exercise, have any chronic health concerns or have any previous injuries.
You will also be guided into meditative states and experiential opportunities to become more coherent and adaptable with your awareness.
This shift into more conscious movement will improve your coordination and change how you embody distress, fatigue, and tension.

Level Two

Traditional Qi Gong Forms

In Level Two you will explore two traditional Qi GongĀ forms.
First, you will learn the famous Eight Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin).
Second, you will Learn the subtle Balancing Heaven and Earth (Tian Di He Yi Fa).
Your Breathwork practice will evolve with the Deep Healing Flow.
Forms are repetitive and choreographed routines and are an essential aspect of Qi Gong practice.
With the skills and experience you have from Level One, you can now begin a thorough exploration of your biomechanics, your breath and your connection with Nature.

Level Three

Deep Stillness and Precise Coordination

Level Three will challenge and augment your dexterity and aligment
We will begin with a Qi Gong Warm-Up for Martial Artists
You will open the vast treasure chest of Standing Meditation. This is the most effective practice to bring anyone back into their body.
You will also be guided into the Essentials of Chan (Zen) Seated Meditation practice. An ancient doorway into patience, focus, and compassion.
An Introduction to Transformational and Shaolin Breathwork will empower you heal your body, release trauma, and reconnect with your intuition.
To challenge your coordination and patience you will also study the classic Chan Si Jin – Silk Reeling Exercises. This is one of the most unique and powerful aspects of Qi GongĀ  and martial arts practice.
EVERY athlete and dancer would benefit from this level of coordination!

Level Four

Therapeutic Movement and Shamanic Healing

Level four is all about therapeutic exercises, dynamic and safe flexbility, core strength and postural rehabilitation
We will begin with Taking Care of Your Body with Qi Gong – a self massage and energy clearing seated practice.
You will learn the world renouned 18 Therapeutic Exercises ā€“ (Lian Gong shi Ba Fa). Qi GongĀ that is specifically for people recovering from severe injuries, stroke or a coma.
One of the simplest ways to inmprove your posture, mood and metabolism is to Re-Charge Your Core strength. This easy to learn group of very safe exercises will reconnect every muscle between your ribs and your knees.
If you are into sports and other intense activities, you will love what happens when you Re-Awaken Your Pocket Muscles. This basic martial arts power development practice will help with everything physical, especially dancing.
Flexibility is essential but cannot be forced. The Deep Stretching Flow series is safe and yet dynamic enough to help your nervous system adjust to many new positions. The focus is not on touching your toes as much as it is on rewiring the way your muscles and bones talk to each other.
Qi Gong began as a Shamanic practice. The Great Reunion with Nature ā€“ Tai Li Fa will be your next immersion into connecting wth the forces of nature. This powerful 4-minute routine is also an amazing way to clear your mind and come into being with wholehearted intention.
We will complete our rehabilitation training with some Postural assesment skills. There are some fundamentals to postural rehabilitation that EVERYONE should learn in school.

Level Five

Shaolin Temple Qi Gong

The Shaolin Monastery is considered the birthplace of modern Kung Fu and Chinese Buddhism.
You will begin your Shaolin training with the life-changing Muscle Tendon Change (Yi Jin Jing).
The essentials of the advanced practice called Bone Marrow Washing (Yi Jin Xi Sui Jing) will also be covered.
As a celebration of getting halfway, you are invited to join the 49-Days Mindfulness Rite of Passage yearly event.

Level Six

Opening Your Meridians and Energy Gates

To deepen your awareness of Qi Gong practice, you will need to learn about the fundamentals of meridian theory from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
You will learn the Daoist ā€˜Willow Dance,ā€™ a Shamanic way to explore and open your Meridians (Jing Luo) and Energy Gates (Dan Tien) one at a time.
In order to encourage a playful way to cultivate Awareness and Harmony in your Mind, you will also learn a modern practice called Inner Dialoguing.
WARNING! ā€“ Actively opening your Meridians and Mind can have unexpected resultsā€¦

Level Seven

Yang Sheng Fa – Nourishing Health PrinciplesĀ 

This course is for Teachers, Healers, and Practitioners who love to learn both leading edge and ancient approaches better Vitality and Longevity.
This is actually a university-level Chinese medicine course on Yang Sheng Fa ā€“ The Methods of Cultivating Vitality.
As a ā€˜soon to be Qi Gong teacherā€™, you will feel more confident answering questions about general health with this training.
In the modern world of drugs and surgery, some traditional Folk Medicine can go a long way.
This course will also introduce the principles of Evolutionary and Function Medicine.

Level Eight

Advanced Daoist and Shaolin Qi Gong

Self Quantification with Qi Gong (Jing, Qi, and Shen)
The Shaolin Nei Jing Gong ā€“ Inner Purification
History, Lineage and Overview
Shaolin Nei Jing Gong – Step-By-Step
Harmonizing Heaven and BeingsĀ  – Tian Ren He Yi Fa
Harmonizing Earth and Beings – Ren Di He Yi Fa
Qi Gong as a Ceremonial Practice

Level NineĀ 

Daoist, Buddhist, and Indigenous Wisdom Teachings

Qi Gong is a way of life, and a good life needs Wisdom, Philosophy and Connection.
Level Nine will introduce you to the DaoistĀ teachings on Cosmology, Ontology, Walking in a Good Way, Feng Shui and Seasonal Attunement.
We will explore modern Buddhism and embrace the Four Noble Truths and develop an experiencial relationship with Karma
We will also explore the Medicine Wheel teachings and practices from my Indigenous Elders and Relations.
This part of the program will also guide you through your 100-day Rite of Passage.
You will also learn Tortoise Breathing, the Daoist Shamanic Breathwork for Trance Work.
We will also take a deep dive into Quantum Physics, Indigenous Fractal Consciousness, Epigenetics, and the Neuro-science of Breathwork.
One of the Seasonal Gatherings will be Review of the Classic texts of Daoism and Qi Gong

Level Ten

Hands-on Healing

As a Qi Gong Teacher, you will be asked to guide your students towards better Health.
In your final level of training, you will be taught an Ancient form of Hands-On Healing.
If you choose, you could also begin to practice as a Healer.
Imagine helping others with everything from sports injuries to Cancer.
These skills are sourced in Temple Healing Arts andĀ Indigenous Healing Ceremonies that I have inherited in a traditional way.

Online Training

Needs Consistent and Spontaneous Support

In my experience, mentoring is always about Guidance, Evaluation, and Support. For an Athletic, Qi Gong, Meditation, Shamanic or Medical Student to feel confident, they naturally require consistent opportunities to connect, share, inquire and explore whatever skills and knowledge they are trying to master.

Successful learning and the building of confidence rely on support as much as anything.

This program includes three forms of live, interactive and essential support.

Monthly LIVE Webinars

The first forms of support will be monthly and seasonal LIVE webinar events.

Over the three to five years of your training, we will be spending a lot of time together!

EVERY MONTH, we will focus in on the most essential, foundational and tangible principles of Qi Gong practice, Step-By-Step, Level By Level.

EVERY SEASSON, we will play with the energy of the season and take turns sharing what we are learning.

These live webinars (or local events) will help you stay focused and inspired on your journey while ensuring that you get to ask questions and refine the skills of your practice.

Spontaneous Webinars and Gifts

The secondĀ form of support will be regularly irregular and spontaneous Qi Gong lessons, recorded talks, live webinars and random ā€˜for funā€™ assignments and challenges.

I want you to have the time you need to schedule and accomplish your training. I also want you to know that you are a part of a larger family of Qi Gong Practitioners and Teachers, Healers and Warriors.

With some unscheduled lessons and guest instructors, you will feel your family around you ā€“ regularly and spontaneously.

Private Personal Mentoring

The thirdĀ form of live and in person, (or in e-person) connection will be yourĀ Private Review, Evaluation and Guidance sessions.Ā 

These Bi-Monthly One-on-One sessions will give you a chance to demonstrate what you are learning, ask questions, share breakthroughs, and get some feedback on the subtle details of your practice.

These ‘serious and scary‘ exams usually include a lot of laughing and personal growth.

Are you ready for a few years of committed practice?

Keep in mind that this is a 3-5 year long commitment to learning
and practicing an ancient and beautiful art.

During those many months of guidance, you will be asked to practice for at least 500 hours ā€“Ā  mostly solo ā€“ under the full moon or at sunrise ā€“ or anywhere you like.

With each exercise you will have to ask, am I sure that this is right, can this hurt anyone? Can I teach this exercise in a playful and gentle way?

By the end of your training, you will have learned a new language for staying healthy, fit and aware of your deeper self for the rest of your life.

This isĀ Qi Gong, and I would be honored to help you learn this language and share it with the world.

Keep in mind that this is a 3-5 year long commitment to learning
and practicing an ancient and beautiful art.

During those many months of guidance, you will be asked to practice for at least 500 hours ā€“Ā  mostly solo ā€“ under the full moon or at sunrise ā€“ or anywhere you like.

With each exercise you will have to ask, am I sure that this is right, can this hurt anyone? Can I teach this exercise in a playful and gentle way?

By the end of your training, you will have learned a new language for staying healthy, fit and aware of your deeper self for the rest of your life.

This isĀ Qi Gong, and I would be honored to help you learn this language and share it with the world.

How Much Does This Training Cost?

$4,888.00

If you are not certain how deeply you are invested in this practice or the information available in this program, please look into my shorter and more specific programs.

49-Days – A Mindfulness Rite of Passage
Somatic Mindfulness Qi Gong – Foundations

If are already aĀ Qi Gong student or practitioner and are certain that you want access to the essential skills, theory and knowledge base but are uncertain if you want to become an instructer, this training is still a great value.

If you feel drawn to becoming a professional Qi GongĀ teacher, I can say with absolute confidence that this program is the best online training available today.

Payment Plans Below

Michael Smith, Dr.TCM

Martial Arts and Qi Gong Expert

Michael began his training in Martial Arts and Qi Gong at 10 years of age, which was 40 years ago.

He has had the good fortune to learn from some of the highest level Masters in the Western world.

As a Martial Artist, he has taught civilians, Law Enforcement, Corrections Officers and members of the Military for over 25 years.

Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Dr. Smith studied Traditional Chinese Medicine in a Daoist Oral Lineage as a part of his journey to becoming a Lay-Priest in the Huan Yuan tradition of Daoism.

Michael is a co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Classical Oriental Sciences (ACOS), the first five-year full-time school of Chinese medicine in Canada.

He is presently the Medical Director at Integrative Health Solutions and is the Clinic Supervisor for the Doctoral Candidates at ACOS.

Professor, Author, and Speaker

Michael is constantly learning, researching, writing about and teaching all things health, mindset, lifestyle, and Spirituality.

He has a Blog, a Podcast, a youtube channel and plans to publish at least one book a year for the next decade.

His first book, Returning to an Ancestral Diet, has helped MANY people recover their health.

Payment Plans

Qi Gong is about Balance

Helping others learn to Move, Relax, Meditate, and Pray is the most REWARDING ‘work’ I have ever had!

During your training, you will have many opportunities to grow as a person and get your feet wet as a uniquely qualified kind of fitness trainer and health coach.Ā 

If you are completely new to Qi Gong practice, I encourage you to give yourself the time you need to feel familiar and confident with your practice before sharing it with orthers.

If you have enough experience and feel ready, I encourage my students to start a volunteer ā€˜practice withā€™ group in your second year of practice.

This is basically a chance to show a few people (for free) what you are learning. Imagine taking some friends and curious strangers through a 40 minute well organized and inspiring experience. Every week.

You donā€™t get paid, but you get a chance to shake off any nervousness and work out any bad habits before you start asking for money. In your third year of training AND teaching, you will be asked to teach a regular class. As a teacher in training, you can offer this by donation.

In your final year you will offer a weekend workshop. If you charge a moderate fee you wil recover your investment for this training.

If you are consistent in your teaching efforts, you could pay for this course AND very likely change your life.

And the lives of every student you teach and touch.

Training Begins September 30th, 2019

Pay in Full Now

$4,888.00

Due before Feb 10, 2020
Pay Over 6 Months

$1,680.00

Bi-Monthly for 6 months
Pay Over 10 Months

$500.00

Per month for 10 months
As a graduate, you will also become a part of an international community of people from around the world,
dedicated to health, self-awareness, and a more conscious way of living.
Schedule a Phone or video Interview with MichaelĀ to make sure that this long-term learning opportunity is aligned with your needs and goals.