Healing Dragon
Steven Cardoza, M.Sc., L.Ac.
Qigong and Taiji Spring 2026 Class Schedule
Two new classes beginning in March, in person and live streamed over Zoom!
Jibengong/Ziyugong: Foundational and Self-Care Practices
Jibengong means “foundational practice", while ziyugong means “self care practice”. Some jibengong can be unique to a particular qigong or martial art, but the majority of jibengong and ziyugong practices are identical. Whether called jibengong or ziyugong depends on the purpose to which you are applying them.
Most are very simple practices that take a short time to learn, and may be practiced for just a few minutes to get their intended benefits. They incorporate a wide range of techniques, such as acupressure, paidagong (tapping and patting practice), Daoist yoga, qi sensitization, breathing practices, simple qigongs, meridian exercises, alignment practices, and tissue twisting, to name a few. These also fall within the designation Yangsheng, or “nourishing life”, that additionally includes diet, meditation, and other lifestyle considerations.
You’ll initially be taught each practice as ziyugong, learning their health benefits and the concept behind each technique. As most of these can be applied within Energy Gates qigongs and in all taiji styles, you’ll next learn how they’re used as jibengong, foundational to those practices. As you build up a repertoire of ziyugong, you’ll be taught how to combine them into exercise prescriptions to address specific health issues and general wellness. In that way, on their own they can form the basis for a daily self-care program. You can see some examples of these practices here: https://youtu.be/BVQrcuDhKsw
DATE: Second and fourth Sunday of each month, beginning March 8
TIME: 1:30-3:30 PM
MONTHLY TUITION (four hours of training and downloadable videos): $160
Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body
In this ancient foundational Daoist neigong (“internal practice”), your mind is trained to penetrate your body to safely, consciously control the flow of qi (life energy) throughout your body and release energetic obstructions. It builds internal strength by facilitating physical and energetic openness through relaxed stationary and moving practices that emphasize proper body alignments and Daoist breathing techniques. As more qi flows freely throughout the entire body, it relieves stress-related illness and chronic joint problems, increases overall health, maximizes movement capacity and energy levels, and deepens meditation.
Components of Energy Gates include:
• Standing Practice/ Outer Dissolving
In this stationary practice, a very detailed Zhan Zhuang (“Standing Like a Stake”) sometimes referred to as standing meditation, focused awareness is used to identify and feel energy gates that define a primary energy matrix within the body. Any qi stagnation or other obstruction that may be present can then be dissolved, allowing the gates to open more fully and function optimally. They influence all physiological processes, emotional and mental states, and more. This also prepares your mind for deeper meditative practices.
• Cloud Hands
The moving practice of Cloud Hands teaches proper body alignments while in motion and many of the major movement principles of taiji (tai chi), helping to further open the body, strengthen ligaments, heal or prevent joint problems, optimize qi flow and harmonize yin and yang qi.
• Three Arm Swings
The Three Arm Swings energize the sanjiao, or “three burners” (generally, the lower, middle, and upper regions of the body and their related organs), and relieve joint pain in the hips, arms, shoulders and torso.
• Daoist Spine Stretch
This unique spine stretch relaxes all the muscles of your back, neck and shoulders to relieve back problems, and begins the process of teaching control over movements of each vertebra individually. As the spinal cord becomes more elastic and supple, many neurological problems can heal.
DATE: Second and fourth Sunday of each month, beginning March 8
TIME: 3:30-5:30 PM
MONTHLY TUITION (four hours of training and downloadable videos): $160
LOCATION FOR ALL CLASSES:
Trinity Episcopal Church
81 Elm St.
Concord, MA 01742
AND: Live streaming over Zoom.
Downloadable recordings will be made available for each class.
TO ENROLL, send your tuition payment here:
Zelle: daoist2@dslextreme.com
Paypal: daoist1@dslextreme.com
Early registration is recommended. Since space is limited, enrolling at least a week before the start date of your class will let me get an accurate attendance count and is greatly appreciated! Your tuition payment reserves your place in class. When enrolling, please include your name, email address, and in which class(es) you are enrolling.
If you are planning to pay at the door (cash or check only), let me know as soon as possible. In case any class is full to capacity, I can contact you to either save you the trip or see if a different class will work for you.
If attending over Zoom, early registration will make it easier for me to send you the Zoom invitation a few days before the class.
All participants will get a link to a recording of the full workshop within 24 hours of completion, available for download and review. No refunds after enrollment.
The Microcosmic Orbit in Taiji (Tai Chi) Circling Hands_
A one-day workshop in person and over Zoom, Sunday April 26
The Microcosmic Orbit (MCO), a prerequisite to Daoist internal alchemy, was introduced to the western world as a seated meditation in the latter part of the 20th century. In Daoist communities in China, it was traditionally learned as part of a moving practice, since the movements used facilitated and amplified MCO qi circulation. Taiji Circling Hands, a moving qigong with many possible variations, is one of the most popular practices in which to work with the MCO.
In the morning session, you’ll learn the basics of Circling Hands, focusing on its aspects that directly support the MCO. Beginners will get a solid foundation that will enable them to get the full benefit of the afternoon session. Students already familiar with Circling Hands will get a thorough review, and those attending in person will get some advanced training. On its own, Circling Hands releases tension in the spine and nervous system, sensitizes you to your qi, engenders a calm energy, and includes many of the principles contained within all styles of taiji.
In the afternoon session, we’ll focus directly on the MCO. You’ll learn how to put the basic MCO into Circling Hands. Next you’ll learn a seated meditation, where more than 15 specific points along the MCO will be awakened and activated. Ancient Daoist texts refer to these as portals or gateways, being access points to each endocrine gland, supporting their health and balancing their related hormones. Each point also has the ability to open distinct aspects of the mind, making this an especially powerful practice both for longevity and spiritual cultivation. Finally, all of this will be layered into Circling Hands.
You will come away from this workshop with:
• a simple, powerful single movement qigong practice.
• a profound traditional Daoist meditation.
• when combined, a time-honored practice that greatly amplifies the benefits of both, enhancing health, longevity, and spiritual cultivation, while furthering an alignment with the Dao.
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See an introductory demonstration here: https://youtu.be/QPHSFB4v9Hs
DATE: Sunday, April 26
TIME: Morning Session, 10:30 AM-1:30 PM ET
Afternoon Session, 2:30 PM-5:30 PM ET
LOCATION: The Arlington Center
369 Massachusetts Ave.
Arlington, MA 02474
And live-streamed over Zoom
TUITION: 280 USD
Discounted to 250 USD if prepaid before April 19
Returning students who are adept at Circling Hands may attend the afternoon session only, for 150 USD.
Discounted to 140 USD if prepaid before April 19.
Tuition includes a recording of the workshop for download and review.
If you are unable to attend in person or over Zoom, you may purchase the video recording of the entire workshop at the rates listed above.
TO ENROLL, send your tuition payment here:
Zelle: daoist2@dslextreme.com
Paypal: daoist1@dslextreme.com
Early registration is recommended. Your tuition payment reserves your place in class. When enrolling, please include your name and email address. You may pay at the door by cash or check only.
​
All participants will get a link to a recording of the full workshop within 24 hours of completion. No refunds after enrollment.