Two Dog hosts two families of Qigong forms: Soaring Crane Qigong and Mountain Way Practices. Most seasons feature offerings of both kinds; people with all levels of physical ability are welcome. If you have questions about either form or any qigong offerings, contact Martha. See Qigong Schedules & Fees and Qigong Workshops for current offerings.
Soaring Crane Qigong
Soaring Crane Qigong has a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest and a vibrant, active community in Seattle. One of the most popular qigong forms in China, Soaring Crane is a graceful and comprehensive practice well-suited to those seeking prevention or recovery, from diseases, injuries, or the tolls of daily life. The form looks like tai-chi, feels like deep meditation and brings the benefits of acupuncture to a home-based, personal practice. All newcomers to Soaring Crane Qigong begin with Level One or Remedy Routines.
NOTE: Focused mind-work is a requirement of Soaring Crane Qigong: other forms are better suited for those unable to sustain consistent mental focus, either because of medications or psychological circumstance. Soaring Crane Qigong should not be practiced by pregnant women. Please contact the studio if you have questions.
Level I
Beginners to Soaring Crane Qigong start with this Level One series. Instruction includes two short Remedy Routines and the Five Routines, a comprehensive movement-based meditation form. Together, these forms provide the foundation for practice and the restoration of balance and health. Choose from weekly classes on weekdays or weeknights, or a 12-hour weekend workshop offered three times each year. Students have the opportunity to purchase practice materials to support their home practice. Repeat students are welcome at a 50% discount. All abilities welcome.
Remedy Routines
A six-week series focusing on the eight Remedy Routines of Level One. Remedy Routines are easy to learn, can be practiced in a short amount of time and address physical and emotional issues such as high blood pressure, habitual overthinking, headaches and anger. Appropriate for those new to qigong as an entre to the form, as well as for those already practicing the Five Routines.
Level I Qigong Practice Session
An opportunity for Level One practitioners to refine form, review theory and support home practice. The Practice Session includes a Remedy Routine, the Five Routines, coaching and discussion generated from pertinent topics or student questions. Practice sessions are ongoing unless otherwise noted and are open to those who have taken Level One at Two Dog or elsewhere.
Spring Cleaning: Level I Review Session
Soaring Crane Qigong Level I practitioners convene for a spring afternoon of fluffling up their Lower Dantians and airing out their qi. Appropriate for established Level I practitioners for form refinement and for dormant Level I practitioners needing to fertilize their form and resprout their practice. Offered in other seasons as Jump Start Your Qigong practice.
Lying Down Meditations: Perfecting the Qigong Nap
Known as qigong nap and loved by all, these meditations are both easy to fit into your day and easy to practice, especially for people with physical limitations or the need for healing. The forms are a powerful way to gather fresh qi into your body, clear your channels of blockages and expel used, unneeded qi. This short workshop includes a full practice of both meditations--you'll leave feeling rested, cleansed and replenished.
Mountain Way Practices
Prominent peaks reach up from flat landscapes; waterways meander in a fluid balance along solid slopeside terrain. The mountain landscape is decorated with contrast and motion. Mountain Way Practices reflect these qualities of the natural world and their cycles, allowing us to settle into our own balance of solid and fluid, yearning and stillness. Neither a codified qigong form, nor part of an established lineage, Mountain Way practices are simply intuitive ways to play with qi and find your way into a qigong state of mind. Experience with qigong or meditation is welcome but not necessary.
Qi-Inspired Expression
Qi is considered both the source of creativity within us and a tool for accessing that source. Use movements, meditations and other qigong forms to get qi flowing...then apply that flow to influence creative or reflective endeavors of your choosing--art projects, work assignments, writing projects, to name a few. Connect with your own inspirational source while diminishing blockages of all kinds, the key to abundant qi flow. Appropriate for creative and reflective people of all pursuits, persuasions and abilities.
Mountain Way Meditations
Quiet or moving, inwardly focussed or outwardly connected, these meditations help you get your qi flowing just the way you like. Sometimes guided by the teacher, other times encouraged to follow your own lead, you'll experience a range of meditations--finding what works best for you. Ease, calmness and a sense of physical or spiritual well-being are often the results. Those who've had trouble staying for more than a minute in a sitting meditation are especially welcome.
Calm For the Holidays
Settle scattered thoughts into a calm holding-place deep in your body. Release anticipation and anxieties into mists carried away on a morning river. Heavy workloads, parental demands, sudden or protracted illnesses and recoveries: like holidays, these are times ripe for the use of calming, centering and grounding practices. Easy to learn and take home, these meditations are appropriate for those with or without meditition or qigong experience.
Qigong has become my meditative oasis in the midst of each busy
day, every full week. This intentional way of moving energy lends clarity, health and joy to my life.
I truly appreciate the haven of Two Dog Yoga studio, for the shared practice, warm
community and generously-held leadership it provides.
— Carol Odell; therapist, athlete, mid-life mom
