July 8, 2021
Program Host: Vicki Dello Joio
It all began in a piano bar in Beijing… The original spark that kindled the National Qigong Association began with a conversation between Jim MacRitchie and Roger Jahnke in a piano bar in Beijing in 1993 at the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong conference. What evolved over the next years — along with the help of Damaris Jarboux and Berkley Freeman, as well as 20+ other US-based founders — was an umbrella organization where a diverse range of people from different styles, lineages and systems of qi practice could come together for mutual representation, exchanges and benefits.
Join these two visionary teachers in a discussion of what inspired them then, now and what they see coming up in the dynamic future rise of Qigong and the empowerment of people worldwide.
Jim says: From my viewpoint, Qigong is the best thing anybody can do for themselves (to establish health, happiness and long life) and is the best hope for humanity, the planet and the climate change crisis (if people maximize their own internal energy, they will use far less external energy and resources).
After 25 years, NQA is still at the forefront of promoting Qigong For All, and you are invited to our presentation to find out how YOU can support and take part in this Qi (r)Evolution, and help save the future. Come and join us for some serious Fun !!!
He believes that Qi Talks is one of the best things to have come out of the NQA; with over 70 monthly presentations hosted by Vicki since 2013, that any member can listen to, it truly embodies one of the original visions 25 years ago of democratic participation for, and by, its grass roots members.
Jim first met Roger in 1990 when he attended a Qigong conference in Berkley, and they were put into the same room together – he said “Hi, I’m Jim”, to which Roger replied “Hi, I’m Roger”...... which just goes to show that The Tao works in mysterious ways!
Roger says: Qigong is among the most eloquent forms of Mind-Body Practice, exercise, meditation, Energy Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, Self-Care, self-determinism, empowerment and spiritual cultivation ever innovated by humans. WOW-- how amazing is that!?! Qigong is a WAY of Being -- not just an exercise. Qigong, not only supports health and healing - more importantly it supports self-observation and insight about our essential nature.
What would the world be like if everyone practiced Qigong or Qigong-like practices such as Yoga, Tai Chi? Each individual has a unique presentation and experience in the world. What would it be like if each person enthusiastically owned their personal expression in a context where all beings are honored and included.
The NQA was developed to foster, support and protect Qigong and all who practice Qigong. To create the NQA, James MacRitchie and I started with the ideal that there are no sincere Qigong or Tai Chi teachers or practitioners who are wrong. The intent, rather than to promote a particular form or lineage, was to honor and promote all systems, forms and lineages.
It has been an amazing experience and I invite everyone to join the all-inclusive NQA Community.
Jim MacRitchie is from Liverpool, in the UK. After an early life involved in the arts, Jim studied Acupuncture in his late ‘20’s, which led to Qigong. He has been in clinical practice for 43 years. He lived in Boulder, Colorado for 33 years, but has now returned to Liverpool where he is Director of The Personal Energy Center, practices Qigong, Acupuncture and runs The Qigong School. He is the author of 5 books on Qigong. www.personalenergycenter.com
Jim has a wall plaque declaring him to be an NQA Immortal, and Roger is an NQA Icon, and they are great pals, so don't miss this yin-yang ping-pong game between two old Tao Guys....
Dr Roger Jahnke is one of the originators of the National Qigong Association (NQA). He is the founder of the Healer Within Foundation (HWF), a wellness based 501©3. Dr Jahnke is Director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC) which has trained over 2000 Qigong and Tai Chi Instructors and Practice Leaders.
Roger has traveled to Asia ten times to research Qigong and Tai Chi in the parks, universities, hospitals, temples and sacred mountain sites. He is the author of two widely respected books on Energy Medicine and Mind-Body Energetics - The Healer Within and The Healing Promise of Qi. He has lectured on Mind-Body Practice to the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, National Wellness Institute, American College of Health Executives and the Mayo Clinic System.
http://IIQTC.org, http://FeelTheQi.com, http://HealerWithinFoundation.org
