Member Login
Sign Up

November 2021 - Qigong — A Healing Resource for Veterans: A Panel Discussion

Special 1.5 hour Event!

With Chris and Fayne Bouguyon, Fay McGrew and Clayton Crosley

Program Host: Vicki Dello Joio
November 11, 2021

Join us for this month’s Qi Talks as we honor Veteran’s Day with a special panel of Veteran Service Providers who are focused on Veteran issues. We’ll explore various ways service members have benefited from Qigong as a tool for self-regulation. How are integrative practices making their way onto military medicine? What does Qigong actually do to help service members help themselves? We hope you’ll tune in for this frank and informative discussion with fellow Veterans and Veteran Service Providers.

Veteran's Day Panel

Chris Bouguyon began his journey in martial arts in 1978, then in 1991 his Kung Fu teacher introduced Tai Chi and Qigong as part of Chris’ personal healing journey. A US Navy Veteran who began studying under Oriental Medical Doctors and physical therapists in 1991, and in behavioral health in 2009, Chris' unique training philosophy has culminated into the nationally acclaimed TMQP Workbook and Principle based training series. This training program has delivered incredible results with the most challenging groups; trauma survivors, law enforcement and military. Now, with a Master Certification in Medical Qigong, Chris’ healing path continues to evolve today at the SimplyAware Wellness and Training Center where he shares his wisdom and experience with students and clients therapeutically, in classes, workshops and clinical qigong sessions.

Fayne Bouguyon is a Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, a licensed massage therapist and the co-founder of SimplyAware. She has an innate ability to help people reframe the way they see their life and approach it from different perspectives. By blending her rich history of developmental psychology, mindfulness, tai chi, qigong, communication, body structure, and nutrition, she has successfully guided many people into a life worth living. Fayne & Chris developed a Qigong Principle based training program that they delivered to hundreds of veterans across a 4-year contract with the VA North Texas Veterans Health Care System. Based on intake and outtake surveys, the veterans suffering from PTSD, chronic stress, chronic pain, substance dependence, military sexual trauma, suicidal ideation and/or other conditions reported an overall improvement of at least 44% upon completion of the program. Fayne has since founded Human Resilience, a non-profit organization that seeks to fund the continuation of these veteran programs outside of the VA system.

Clayton Crosley is the primary teacher for weekly Qigong classes at the Veterans Administration clinics in Savannah and Hinesville, GA. ”. A US Army veteran who served honorably for 10 years, Clayton was first introduced to Qigong about 30 years ago through his martial arts practice. He is currently spearheading a new program at the Veteran’s Administration offering free Tai Chi/Qigong to veterans and his responsibilities cover VISN 7 (Veterans Integrated Service Network) which consists of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. He is overseeing a group of instructors to facilitate this program. Working in concert with the VAMCs in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. Clayton is currently involved in collecting data related to the therapeutic value of Tai Chi and Qigong. Working closely with Dr. Robert Friedman in the Charleston VAMC to publish a study titled “Application of Tai Chi and Qigong for Functional Restoration as Part of Whole Health for Veterans”. He has been volunteering and teaching Qigong and Tai Chi to veterans for seven years and recently completed 1500 hours of volunteer service to the Veterans community.

Fay McGrew, M.A. is a practitioner of mind body traditions since 1970 leading to her devotion of Qigong starting in 1990. She introduced Qigong programs into a variety of medical institutions as well as giving grand rounds & presentations at medical conferences. Fay was recruited 11 years ago to do the same at military hospitals teaching in a variety of medical departments. She specializes in Traumatic Brain Injury, Combat PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma, Women's Qigong, and Substance Abuse Recovery. Fay expresses gratitude to her teacher, Master Liu He,LIng Gui International Healing Qigong School.