Jump to: Five Animal Frolics: An Introduction (in-person qigong class, Chapel Hill, NC)
Jump to: Body-Mind Centering® SME program in Taiwan
Trunk Tone and Qi Practice: Central Stability & Mobility
Online Series (4 classes)
Our trunk contains vital organs, tissues, and fluids. The tone of our trunk changes on the continuum of mobility and stability. One of the first things that may come to mind is that skeletal muscles are the means for support and movement. In this series rather, we will consider internal aspects which support the tone of the trunk. This in turn affects the skeletal muscle tone. We can find practical ways and systems to establish internal support such as the:
- Fluid breath and pressure
- Internal membranes and diaphragms
- Central channel, soft spine, and condensed spine
- Three dantians
- Autonomic nervous system (central and peripheral aspects)
- Primitive reflexes
- Embryological consciousness of consolidating and releasing (pulsing the adult body)
Why is this important? To support our essential vitality, health, and body-mind with consciousness, stillness and movement.
Class consists of qigong movement, focus on a selected topic/ process, and personal exploration. There will be time for questions.
Classes are recorded for review by all; no need to be present at the live class. All registered will receive a link after class. Recordings will be accessible for the unforeseen future with no plans to limit access.
Topic: Trunk Tone and Qi Practice: Central Stability & Mobility
Date: June 8th – 25th 2026, (4) Mondays
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Eastern
Format: Zoom online; recordings available to all registered
Fee: $60 cash, check, Zelle or Venmo. $62.50 credit card or PayPal.
Go here to pay and register for class: Trunk Tone and Qi Practice
Five Animal Frolics, An Introduction
In-person class; Chapel Hill, NC
June 10th – July 1st, 2026, 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
The Five Animal Frolics is a classic movement set devised by Chinese physician, Hua Tuo (141-208 A.D.). Categorized as a form of medical qigong, they are devoid of mystical stories and are grounded in qualities constitutional correspondences. They are designed to develop our body, mind, and spirit.
The Frolics combine physical exercise, movement of qi (vitality), and mind intent either in listening or in directing. From a somatic perspective, these outer forms and internal intent help get the “mind in the body.” Once there, the somatic approach and principles of Body-Mind Centering® allows us to highlight and embody our movements, tissues, and organs.
To help us balance and integrate, two complementary flows of intent are available to us. We can attend to guidance on either side of the same coin:
- mind moves qi, qi moves blood (body fluid), blood moves body (traditional).
- body moves blood (body fluid), blood moves qi, qi moves mind (somatic approach).
We learn and practice standing and walking forms which incorporate principles of qigong, neigong (inner work), and tai chi. Movements range from simple and meditative, to more advanced and rigorous forms. The Frolics encompass basic energies and intents that we may develop for ourselves including serenity of the crane, deeply rooted power of the bear, agility of the monkey, vitality of the deer, and indomitable intent of the tiger. The marvelous thing is that they are easy to learn, can be practiced by everybody and are fun to do. Once we learn the physical form then we home in on alignment, breathing, and mind-intent.
Classes include Eastern and Western approaches in the process of embodiment. The Western aspects provide anatomical reference. For example, compact bone provides structure; marrow, vitality; fascia, integration; ligaments, alignment; organs, volume; blood, fluid grounding and unity; cerebrospinal fluid, levity and spaciousness. These forms are tools to bring us more fully into the body and consciousness. Some principles incorporatingWestern anatomic approach and Eastern physiology and energetic aspectsinclude:
- empty and full
- sinking and rising
- center and periphery
- sung, yielding, releasing
- sky and earth
- spine mind
- the kua (hip area)
- three dantians (energy centers)
- central channel
- yinyang pathways
- embryonic breathing
Each frolic has several stages to build the full form. Step-by-step instruction will help you learn and organize the forms and cover the gamut of each quality. Learning these forms and principles will provide a solid foundation for your practice and understanding.
No particular experience is needed to join.
I principally draw from the Frolics set that has been passed down from Ken Cohen to Paul Gallagher, Jay Dunbar and others. Since 1996, I have taken care to learn and embody the movement and spirit of these Animal Frolics through in-person study, practice, observation, and meditation. I pass along this set in honor of Hua Tuo’s legacy in living form to provide you with the same foundation I enjoy.
Date: June 10th – July 1st 2026, (4) Wednesdays
Time: 5:30 – 6:45 p.m., Eastern Time
Fee: $60 cash, check, Zelle or Venmo. $62.50 credit card or PayPal.
Location: Ellen Place, Chapel Hill (address provided on registration or contact me)
Not sure? Come to the first class. If you like it, pay for the month. If not, thanks for checking it out.
A bit about me. I have been studying somatic work since 1984. Body-Mind Centering® developmental movement and experiential anatomy is the basis of my embodied understanding. I have been integrating these principles into qigong practice since 1992. Classes I lead offer emptiness, form and flow, wuji, yin and yang as basis for practice and teaching.
Go here to pay & register for Five Animal Frolics: An Introduction
Body-Mind Centering® Somatic Movement Educator Training
Body-Mind Centering® courses at the Somatic Education Society of Taiwan begin a new cycle in August 2026. If you are interested in joining the Somatic Movement Educator Program in Taitung City, Taiwan, our next program runs August 2026 – January 2029. You may register for a single course or the entire SME program. Click here and go to the Registration tab.