6-Week Five Elements Qigong Series: In-Person & Zoom 1/11/26 - 2/15/26

Come learn and practice qigong, as we honor the five elements and five seasons in Chinese medicine. Beginner-friendly. ALL levels welcome. No experience necessary.

Please note that this is a SIX-WEEK container, meant for us to practice in community. We will meet every SUNDAY, from 9am-10am, from January 11, 2026 to February 15, 2026.

All classes will be recorded on Zoom, in case you have to miss a session.

Qigong Workshop Schedule

Week 1 (1/11): Water Element Qigong -- Winter

Week 2 (1/18): Wood Element Qigong -- Spring

Week 3 (1/25): Fire Element Qigong -- Summer

Week 4 (2/1): Earth Element Qigong -- Late Summer/Transition

Week 5 (2/8): Metal Element Qigong -- Autumn

Week 6 (2/15): 5 Element Qigong Combined Practice (It also happens to be right before Lunar New Year, so we can close the Year of the Snake and welcome the Year of the Horse together!)

All classes will be livestreamed and recorded on Zoom, so you have access to the material for another 6 months to pracitce on your own timeafter the course has been completed.

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If you have any questions, you can email Odelia at b2RlbGlhbGFvICEgY28gfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==

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What is qigong?

qi (pronounced chee) = life force energy

gong = skill/work

Qigong is the skillful practice of applying our mind, body, and spirit to move and shift our energy through breath, movement, intention, and sound. It originated in China and is thousands of years old, and while it may have gotten popularized through Taoist and Buddhist traditions, it can be practiced by anyone, regardless of religion. It is one of the four main branches of Chinese medicine. There are over 3,000 different types of qigong, so what you experience in my class may be a bit different from other classes.

There are 3 general types of qigong:

1. martial arts - more physical, tai chi is a form of martial qigong
2. spiritual - more meditative, the type that Buddhist and Taoist monks practice
3. medical - connected to Chinese medicine and healing both internally and externally

The qigong I practice is a blend of all 3 types of qigong, but with more focus on the spiritual and medical aspects. I will focus on Five Elements qigong. Each element is associated with a season, a yin (more earth-based) organ, and a yang (more heavens-based) organ. Think of the elements and seasons interacting with each other in a cyclical way, as everything is interconnected.

Chinese medicine and astrology is a bit different from western medicine and astrology in that we have five seasons, instead of four; and five elements instead of four. The five elements are: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Note that there is no air element (air is considered as water vapor), but there is both a wood and earth element, as well as a metal element. Furthermore, the fifth season is earth season, which is often considered as "late summer" (late August to late September) or also as a transition season between each season.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in San Francisco, Workshops in San Francisco, Nonprofit events in San Francisco.