Qi Gong training to work with disabled young women

Dear friends,

As some of you know, I have been learning Qi Gong for the past few years, and I am now hoping to train as an instructor so that I can train other people with hidden disabilities, especially disabled young women in my local community in Medway, UK, an area where majority of adults are physically inactive, and / or face significant barriers to physical activity, but also anyone who might benefit, in person and online.

Qi Gong (pronounced ‘chee gong’) is an ancient Chinese method for keeping the body and mind healthy. Through my own experience, I have found that Qi Gong is the most effective method for alleviating pain associated with inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and fibromyalgia, as well as hypermobility (all conditions I am diagnosed with). It trains the practitioner’s breathing aiding in emotional and mental balance, as well as helps build up muscle strength to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation, and maintain better energy levels overall.

Qi Gong is not exercise in its traditional sense. It is a set of movements that can be carried out either standing or seated, is very gentle, and can be adapted to the individual. Since the first covid lockdown in April 2020, I have been learning Qi Gong and Buddhist approaches / philosophy online from Shi Heng Yi, the headmaster of Shaolin Temple Europe in Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing, and some Louhan forms (these get more complex respectively), and now also Shu Jing Gong (Buddhist Qi Gong).

With this pot of monies I will train as instructor in the first set of forms - Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades) with the British Health Qi Gong Association online, taking the examination at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Telford in the summer. Because this training is intensive, only one set of forms can be studied at any one time. This will permit me to begin teaching Ba Duan Jin, including breathing methods, shortly after the exam.

I am also applying for the The Active Kent & Medway Coach and Official Bursary, which would retrospectively and only upon successful certification cover up to 50% fo the course costs (that is, a maximum of £457), but does not cover travel, accommodation, membership, duan grading, required uniform, or literature costs.

I need to raise the course and membership amount of £914 in time for the start of the course on 8 March (also International Women’s Day!), and the rest in time for the in-person exam in July 2024, except the instructor’s insurance which can begin shortly after the exam and grading has been completed.

This fund will also permit me to purchase a small number of books necessary for the deepening of my meditation and body work practice. While I already practice meditation, Qi Gong, and Qi circulation, these texts will help me develop my work further, while learning from the same author I have already found as the most influential in my self-study (Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming). Obtaining an instructor’s insurance would allow me to begin teaching others right way.

Costs breakdown:

BHQA membership £24

Course cost £850

Duan grading £40

= £914

Uniform (required for the exam) £131

Travel to Telford (once for final exam) £270.80

Accommodation in Telford (Premier Inn, 2 nights and flexible booking needed for rest due to pain levels) £239

Access (hotel - exam centre, uber return) £20

Instructor insurance £95

Qigong Foundation by Dr. Ying Jwing-Ming (5 books): £114.95

Total: £1784.75

Contingency 3%: £52.65

Total all: £1838

Thank you in advance, and I hope to see you on this journey with me!

Olga