Lee Holden’s journey into the world of Qi Gong and tai chi was deeply personal and transformative. After facing significant injuries during his college years at the University of California, Berkeley, which threatened to derail his passion for soccer, Holden turned to these ancient healing practices as a last resort. What he discovered was life-changing—not only did Qi Gong and tai chi help him recover physically, but they also provided profound mental clarity and emotional balance, allowing him to return to the soccer field stronger than ever.
Deeply moved by the healing benefits he experienced, Holden dedicated himself to mastering the practices of Qi Gong, tai chi, and traditional Chinese medicine. He later became a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, incorporating his knowledge into a holistic approach to health and wellness. As an author, his book 7 Minutes of Magic (Penguin, 2007) has introduced thousands to the power of these practices in everyday life.
Today, Holden is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in Qi Gong, meditation, and tai chi. His teachings have reached a global audience, with his popular Qi Gong DVD series airing on over 105 PBS stations across the United States and Canada. His programs have reached over 50 million households, providing viewers with practical tools to enhance their physical health, reduce stress, and foster a deeper connection to their inner selves. Through his unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern accessibility, Lee Holden has become a beacon of healing for many seeking balance and vitality in their lives.
We live in a field of qi, “vital breath” or “ vital life energy.” Yet, like a fish in water or a bird in flight, we are unaware of the medium that supports us and aids us to truly live our lives.
What Qigong means “understanding and working with the Qi.” It is the ancient Chinese art and science of becoming aware of this major life energy and learning how to use its flow through a precise flow of posture, movement, respiratory technique, and meditation. Like biofeedback, qigong teaches psychophysiological self-regulation; the student becomes aware of bodily functions conventionally addressed involuntary blood pressure, respiratory rate, even the flow of blood and nutrients to internal organs– and learns to restore a healthier wellness balance. Qigong is one of the most cost-effective self-healing methods in the world. The only investment needed is your unconditional time, a half-hour to an hour each day and sometimes just seven minutes; the dividends of better health, increased vitality, and peaceful alertness are gained daily and are cumulative.
The meaning of Qigong (is also spelled Ch’i Kung) is a very powerful system of healing and energy medicine that came from China. Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind to mention just a few benefits.
In the past qigong was called nei gong (inner work) or dao yin (guiding energy). Today, the original ancient word for qigong is being revived: Yang sheng means “nurturing” (yang) “life” (sheng). This beautiful term includes not only healing exercises and meditations but also any practices that contribute to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. Nor is yang sheng restricted to personal well-being. To nurture life is to live in a way that cares for the life around us, all of the nature. Its pronunciation Qi pronounced chee and Gong pronounce gung, as in lung.
Gigong’s documented history goes back approximately 2,500 years. However Chinese archaeologists and historians have found references to qigong-like techniques at least five thousand years old.
Why Qi Gong is so simple, and easy to learn, can be done by most everyone that is in a good state of health, at any age and fitness level.
Even just a few minutes a day can quickly add up to noticeable changes in stress, mood, energy levels, sleep and general wellness.
If you’re new to these practices, we advise you to establish a consistent daily routine as soon as possible, not creating the feeling that it is one more thing to do, just easing into it. Lee’s 30-Day Challenge of 7-Minute routines is a perfect place to start enjoy and share with others.
Do you know why you came to Qi Gong, is it to work on a specific health issue?
Or, maybe you’re ready for new routines and attain deeper learning?
These Healing Series and Learning Series programs provide you with the next steps. Let us breathe deeply and bask in Lee’s beautiful, natural surroundings as he guides you through these new routines.
Ready for the next step in your Qi- Gong journey?
Even though you may not live in Santa Cruz, you can still join Lee for his streaming lessons each week. Our extensive Video Class Subscription offers a path to ongoing training, wherever you may be. The system has a powerful combination of breath and depth which will aid you to bring your practice up to a whole new level!.
Just relax, unwind and let Lee guide you through a whole new journey that you can enjoy time and time again.
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Lee Holden combines theory and practices through these popular topic-specific live pieces of training, He often brings special guests.
For the most part, students often attend in person, but we also stream most events live online, and offer a replay after the streaming day.
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Let’s go deep into Qi with these full 40-hour training. It takes place either over one full week in person or over several weekends in a combined in person or online format (available for The Five Elements and The Three Treasures programs).
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Transform your life by becoming a Certified Holden QiGong Instructor. It is well known that the deepest learning comes from teaching, and you’ll find it’s not only a pleasure and an honor to share these rich healing practices with others but at the same time it is a personal satisfying growth that will come from it.
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