What is Qigong, Chi Gong or is it Chi Kung?
Qigong and Tai Chi Classes
Current Classes
Personal Qigong Training
What participants have to say

Qigong, Chi Gong or is it Chi Kung?
Different spellings, same meaning. It’s pronounced ‘chee goong’ meaning ‘training the breath’, or ‘cultivating the Vital energy’ (Qi). ‘Qigong’ is the official Chinese westernised spelling (pin yin) of this Ancient Chinese health promoting practice(s).

What can it do for me?
Qigong can strengthen your health, prevent and treat disease and cultivate wellbeing and longevity. It can also build up stamina and energy whilst calming the mind. It requires no equipment and you can practise it anytime, anywhere –lying, sitting, standing or walking.

There are hundreds of styles of Qigong, so there is a self-healing exercise and technique to be found to suit every age and all levels of fitness or for treating ill health. So, whether you’re a top athlete, Ms/Mr Average, bedridden, or in your early or later years of life, there are specific Qigong techniques for you.

Common benefits that occur when practising Qigong regularly are: Having more energy, Maintaining better health, Improving posture and breath control, Feeling lighter, happier and less stressed, Being confident, Cultivating a clear, calm mind and strong body, Finding and staying in your Centre, Making decisions with greater clarity and wisdom, Increasing productivity and Being in tune with others.

How is it done?
It is an art that combines aerobic conditioning, meditation and relaxation, without extreme physical exertion. If you’ve seen people practising Tai Chi (slow, calm, gentle and circular movements), you know what some Qigong will look like when observed. Tai Chi can be practised as one of Qigong’s moving forms. All Qigong styles are based on common principles of balance, relaxation, healthy breathing and good posture. This wholistic practise includes healing postures, movement, self massage, breathing and meditation techniques which can be practised in standing, sitting and lying down positions.

Qigong techniques can be divided into dynamic/ active and tranquil/ passive forms. Dynamic is obvious in movement, yet it conceals that internally the mind is quiet, peaceful and at rest. Tranquil Qigong is where the entire body is still yet the breath is moving and the mind is alert actively directing and watching the Qi (life energy).

What does it feel like?
“I feel energised AND calm” in a surprised tone is a common expression from new Qigong participants.

Qigong and Tai Chi Classes
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Regular Classes suitable for both Beginners and Experienced practitioners are held in Bangalow and Lennox Head in Far Northern New South Wales, Australia. Seminars and week-end workshops, along with Retreats are available in different locations. You can view the Retreats and News & Articles pages for upcoming events.

Currently there are a number of differently focused sets of Qigong programs and also individual tuition being offered by Suzanne Rienits.

Your tutor
Since 1980, Suzanne has been studying, practising and teaching Bodywork / Massage Therapies, Acupuncture, Chinese & Natural Medicine, and Lifestyle & Stress management.

In 1989, she travelled to China for post-graduate studies in Chinese medicine and through a series of fortunate events found herself studying at the Guangzhou Qigong Atheletic Therapy Research Centre. She studied many Qigong forms with emphasis on Wujishi with Masters Fang Naili, Liang Jiansheng and Zhang Dexiang.

Over the years, Suzanne has explored a large range of different practices and in recent years she has enjoyed being influenced by Bisong Guo.

History of Teaching
From 1987 to 2004 Suzanne has been a Founder, Director and Principal of The Way College of Oriental Therapies & Bodywork, The Way School of Massage Therapies and Place of Healing / Place of Learning in Lismore and Byron Bay. She has written, taught and supervised in modules such as: Tuina (Chinese massage), Acupressure, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Theory and Diagnostic modules, Meridians, Experiential Body Awareness, Lifestyle and Stress Management, Qigong, Chinese Dietary Therapy, Women’s Health Bodywork and studies in Bodymind.

Prior to this she taught classes in Dance, Conditioning and Creative Vegetarian Cooking.

Current Classes - July to September '08
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Energise and Be Calm
Energise and Be Calm classes cultivate a lighter, alive and energetic feeling, yet at the same time one feels calm and relaxed. The class combines Qigong and Tai Chi exercises that include passive and active forms that cleanse, regulate and tonify your Qi (vital energy).

Cross-training with Qigong enhances your bodymind awareness, breath and posture. So this is also a great class for improving your ability and enjoyment in any other sport or yoga you may practise.

The first 3 classes at the beginning of the term introduce the new forms, terminology and the basic underlying principles, and are a requirement for new students.

Learn wonderful forms for starting your day with.

Bangalow, Level 1: 3 Wednesdays from 30 July, 9.30 - 11am, Fee: $45
Lennox Head, Level 1: 3 Thursdays from 31 July, 9.30 - 11am, Fee: $45

Level 2 classes continue until the end of the school term. For continuing students, fees can be paid for at either $100 for the whole term, 5 classes for $60 or casually at $15 per class.

Release the Tension Qigong
Having and maintaining vitality, deep calm and rest contributes to a balanced, relaxed and healthy life. Release the Tension Qigong program contains Qigong/ Tai Chi forms that are appropriate for the evening time. Being in the Yin time of day, it is most appropriate to practise quiet forms that release any stuck-ness physically, mentally and emotionally held that have accumulated during the day. Regulation and tonification of our Qi, Yin and organ energy at this time of day will also contribute to an enjoyable evening, restful sleep and in cultivating vitality for the next day.

Lennox Head, Level 1: 3 Wednesdays from 6 August, 6.00 – 7.15pm,
Fee: $45

Water Tai Chi Qigong
Water Tai Chi Qigong explores the health enhancing benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong with the gentle resistive, yet relaxing properties of clean, clear warm water. Let yourself and your muscles deeply relax and revitalize. Your movements become fluid and effortless as they are supported in the water. These flowing water exercises will aid you in recovering your inner balance and well being, along with strength, flexibility, coordination and a calm centeredness.

This course is held in a heated indoor pool in Tyagarah jointly with Masta from Aqua Body works.

Tyagarah (near Byron Bay),
Level 1A: 4 Tuesdays from 9 September, 1.00 – 2.30pm, Fee: $80
Level 1A: 4 Tuesdays from 14 October, 11.00 – 12.30pm, Fee: $80
Level 1B: 4 Tuesdays from 14 October, 1.00 – 2.30pm, Fee: $80

Workshops / Trainings

Balancing your Emotions with Qigong
with Suzanne Rienits

In Chinese Medicine and Qigong theory, emotions can be viewed as Qi /Chi (vital energy) moving in different directions or being stuck. Come and learn Qigong exercises using breath, visualisations, sound, acupressure and physical movements to aid in harmonising your emotions and help you shift from repetitive emotional patterns e.g. depression, anger, grief, anxiety, worry, fear and loss of joy. Discover how different emotions affect the functioning of your organs, immune system and tensions that are held in your body. Notes included.

Saturday 20 September, 10am - 4pm, Course fee: $80

Personal Qigong Training
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Take the opportunity to focus on your individual condition and needs. A selection of Qigong exercise and forms that are appropriate to where you are now, including specific posture adjustment/alignment and breath are explored. Personal tuition or small groups of up to 3 people are available in Lennox Head.

This commitment provides clarity and flexibility on what the class contains and when and how frequent the classes are. For example you may prefer that there be three classes in a week, Once a week for three weeks or every fortnight. Times are by negotiation, and the first class is 1 ¼ hours, subsequent classes are 1 hour each.

Notes are included to help and encourage the daily practise of the Qigong learnt

Full payment is required at the beginning of the first session.

What participants have to say
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It’s so refreshing to feel centered and calm at last. It definitely is making a difference on how I am handling the pressure at work, and I’m enjoying my home life more.- Chris

Qigong really improved my health and wellbeing in noticeable ways, almost as soon
as I started practising. Suzanne really helped me with posture and the way I used
my body. - Vicki R

If you are needing uplifting, releasing stress, better breathing, letting go of tensions and having wellbeing, I recommend phoning Suzanne and just DO IT! - (‘Uplift’ Qigong student)

There was great value in matching specific practices to specific conditions happening in my body. I have more ease in my health and more awareness especially in my posture.- Vicki (Personal Qigong training)

With a few simple techniques I feel I can cope with anything! – Dena

I enjoyed my Qigong sessions with Suzanne as she is very patient and experienced with a good dose of humour thrown in. Plus the sessions had a very noticeable beneficial effect straight away. - Gwen (Personal Qigong training)

It was great to learn new ways of moving and feeling energy in my body. The pace of activities was good, and the explanation about them and what was happening was very helpful. - Peter

Excellent program and level for those needing a gentle form of exercise to begin
getting the body back on track again...especially if there are medical issues involved.
Subtle but beneficial changes felt and ongoing improvement noted! Thank you. - RG

It’s so refreshing to feel centered and calm at last. It definitely is making a difference on how I am handling the pressure at work, and I’m enjoying my home life more.
- Chris

It has made a big difference to my health and wellbeing. My relationship with my
daughter has improved. Thank you for an inspiring and enjoyable class.
- ('Uplift' Qigong program participant)

Thank you, You make it all simple yet thorough. This has changed my life! - ('Energise' Qigong student)

It is a very powerful but subtle experience of the self and its energies. A good way to get to know oneself more. – GJ

I feel a journey starting… ('Uplift' Qigong student)