10 Best Qi Gong Courses and Certifications Online

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Close up iPhone showing Udemy application and laptop with notebookQi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that involves the coordination of movement, breathing, and meditation to improve overall health and wellbeing. With the rise of online learning, more and more individuals are turning to the internet to access Qi Gong courses from the comfort of their own homes. In this article, we will explore some of the top online resources for Qi Gong courses, with a focus on quality, accessibility, and effectiveness. Whether you are a beginner seeking to learn the basics or an experienced practitioner looking to deepen your practice, this guide will provide valuable insights and recommendations for the best Qi Gong courses available online.

Here’s a look at the Best Qi Gong Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

10 Best Qi Gong Courses and Certifications Online

1. Extensive QiGong movement, breathing and meditation course. by Michaël Bijker (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

This is an extensive QiGong video course that includes movements, breathwork, meditation, and healing techniques. It consists of 20 easy-to-follow videos that teach you how to do full sessions by yourself. The course is designed to help you develop strength, health, and inner peace by tapping into the power of your life energy (Qi).

The course instructor, Michaël Bijker, takes you deep into the practice of breathing, movement, and meditation. The course covers not only the physical movements but also the power of breath and meditation needed to go deeper into mind, energy training, and meditation practices. With the breathing tutorials, guided relaxation, and meditation sessions, you will learn how to master the art of meditation.

The course covers QiGong postures and movements, warm-up exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation sessions. You’ll learn about Taoism, energy, the inner cosmic smile, and the history of QiGong. The course also covers Dan Tien (energy centers) and healing QiGong.

Overall, this is a comprehensive course that covers everything you need to know about QiGong. It’s suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to cultivate and open up their energy system, become master of mind and body, and create a solid foundation for their physical and spiritual well-being. The course is available for free to those who cannot afford it.

2. Qi Gong for Beginners : Practical Beginners Guide To Qi Gong by Sonia Bruce (Udemy)

The course title is “Qi Gong for Beginners,” and it is taught by Sonia Bruce. The course provides a practical guide to understanding and applying Qi Gong principles and benefits for beginners. Qi Gong is one of the five branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and it focuses on energy cultivation through movement, breath, and meditation.

It’s important to note that this course is not meant for students to dive deep into the details of Qi Gong techniques. Instead, it is a broad presentation of Qi Gong principles and benefits. The course includes five downloadable PDF documents and nine videos. The PDFs provide a more academic approach, while the videos offer personal experience from the instructor who has been practicing Qi Gong for over 20 years.

The course covers five “explanation” sections and four “actual demonstrations” with some voice comments in the background. The instructor aims to inspire students to explore Qi Gong for themselves, as it is a wonderful journey that can deeply improve personal life and living together on planet Earth.

The course begins with an introduction to Qi Gong, followed by the principle of Qi Gong and its benefits. The instructor also covers who the Qi Gong practice is for and the differences between Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan.

3. Qi Gong: 30-Day Challenge with Lee Holden. 30 short workouts by YMAA Publication Center (Udemy)

The Qi Gong: 30-Day Challenge with Lee Holden is a highly regarded qigong course that offers 30 short daily routines to gradually build up one’s qi gong practice and improve health and well-being. The course is designed to combine stretching, strengthening, flow, mindfulness, breath, and energy into one simple practice.

The 30-day challenge is a great way to manage stress levels and boost energy efficiently. Practicing qi gong for a few minutes each day can shift individuals out of the “fight or flight” stress mode and promote deep relaxation. At the end of the 30-day period, individuals will have built a healthy habit that helps improve mood, clear tension, and recharge the body quickly.

The course consists of 30 short daily routines that are easy to follow and perfect for introducing someone new to qi gong. As individuals progress, they will notice significant improvements in their mind, body, and spirit.

The 30-day challenge is divided into four weeks, with each week having a particular focus. The first week focuses on building the foundation of self-discipline, while the second week aims to enliven the mind, body, and spirit. The third week focuses on feeling abundant Qi (energy) and great health, and the fourth week is centered around expressing positive energy in all areas of life.

The course includes 30 days of videos that amount to 225 minutes or 3 hours 45 minutes. Master Lee Holden, the instructor, is highly experienced in qigong and has studied with other masters, such as Master Mantak Chia and Deepak Chopra. He also earned a degree as a doctor of Chinese medicine and is the owner of the Santa Cruz Chi Institute. Interested individuals can visit the Holden Qigong website for other programs.

The course includes an introduction section and is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

4. Sounds True Presents: Qigong Master Key with Robert Peng by Robert Peng, Sounds True (Udemy)

The Sounds True Presents: Qigong Master Key with Robert Peng course is designed to provide guidance on Chinese energy practices to achieve a balanced physical, mental, and spiritual state. The course is instructed by Robert Peng, a renowned Qigong master, and offers a comprehensive progression of Qigong teachings.

The course consists of five sections, including The Basics, Empowerments, Three Treasures Standing Meditation, 4 Golden Wheels Exercise, Lotus Meditation, and Connecting Universe. In The Basics section, Robert Peng shares his own Qigong journey and teaches exercises to awaken and balance the Three Dantians, which govern wisdom, love, and vitality.

The Empowerments section includes practices such as Hologram Palm Empowerment, Breathing Empowerment, and Awakening Awareness, which aim to build inner harmony and connect with the energetic resources of the world. The Three Treasures Standing Meditation and 4 Golden Wheels Exercise sections focus on deepening the subtle energy flow and harmonizing the forces of Heaven, Earth, and the body.

In the Lotus Meditation and Connecting Universe section, students are guided to cleanse their bodies and energize the Central Meridian channel through Qigong meditation, which connects them to the universe. Robert Peng emphasizes that Qigong allows individuals to deepen their capacity for wisdom, love, and vitality.

The course is presented through on-demand streaming and includes computer animations and beautiful settings. It offers an unparalleled resource for individuals seeking to reawaken their inner fountain of youth, balance the forces within and without for harmonious living, and open clear and abundant channels for life energy to flow.

5. Learn Advanced Qigong to give you Instant Power & Strength by Peter Caughey (Udemy)

This course titled “Learn Advanced Qigong to give you Instant Power & Strength” is instructed by Peter Caughey. The course teaches Zhan Zhuang standing posture Qigong system, which is aimed to improve strength, stamina, and awareness. The system consists of a set of standing Qigong static postures. The course is classified as advanced level, and it provides information on the movements of energy in the body and the energetic pathways (meridians). In addition, spiritual concepts related to these exercises are also explained.

Zhan Zhuang Qigong system trains the practitioner in developing the sensation of “opposing forces” and provides an understanding and experience of one’s central equilibrium. It also helps in developing sensitivity to specific areas of tension in the body and provides guidance to relieve them. This system is also connected with Traditional Chinese Medicine, which helps in removing blockages in Qi flow in the body’s meridian system. Practicing Zhan Zhuang helps in normalizing habitual tensions or tissue shortening/lengthening, which in turn improves the body’s natural ability to function optimally.

Zhan Zhuang Qigong is believed to be beneficial in reducing stress, gaining superior mental clarity, and giving the ability to stay focused. During the course, various skills are taught, including body-mind co-ordination, elimination of unnecessary tension, increasing mental focus, and developing perseverance, discipline, and stamina.

The course content includes an introduction, the history of Qigong, essential Qigong practice information, Qigong preparation exercises, and ten different Zhan Zhuang Qigong exercises. The course ends with a summary and credit for completion.

6. Understanding Qigong 1: What is Qi Energy & Qigong? Dr Yang by YMAA Publication Center (Udemy)

This course, titled “Understanding Qigong 1: What is Qi Energy & Qigong?” is taught by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and is offered by YMAA Publication Center. The course is designed to explain the concepts of Qigong and the human energetic circulatory system. The video course is 4 hours and 24 minutes long and consists of 15 video lessons.

Dr. Yang presents a clear and fascinating scientific explanation of his Qigong theory in this course, which includes simple Qigong exercises for students to begin experiencing their Qi (energy). The course is a must for Qigong practitioners, acupuncturists, energy healers, and anyone interested in understanding exactly how and why Qigong works.

The ancient Chinese art of Qigong involves using the mind to naturally develop the body’s Qi (energy) for improved health and longevity. Some Qigong is practiced sitting or standing still, while other Qigong can be a kind of moving meditation. Dr. Yang draws on his years of training in Qigong and his Western scientific background in Physics and Mechanical Engineering to present a comprehensive explanation of the subject.

This course provides a physiological basis for the energy, or bioelectricity, and helps individuals understand its healing potential. It also teaches skills to feel, increase, and ultimately control energy to revitalize mind, body, and spirit. The course covers the epistemology of the word qi, dating back to ancient times, and its true meaning, along with the human qi network of energy meridians and vessels. Additionally, it includes insights into deep Qigong theory, not often discussed with the general public.

This video course is part one of a six-course series and has been used as the basis for Dr. Yang’s YMAA Qigong Instructor certification.

7. Qi Gong for Depression & Emotional Balance w Lee Holden 2021 by YMAA Publication Center (Udemy)

The “Qi Gong for Depression & Emotional Balance w Lee Holden 2021” course is offered by YMAA Publication Center and is instructed by Lee Holden, a doctor of Chinese medicine. This course is designed to help relieve and prevent depression through follow-along qigong exercises. The course offers various length workouts to choose from and has a total runtime of 1 hour 31 minutes.

The course emphasizes the natural elevation of energy and teaches how to free oneself from negative thoughts and feelings that lead to depression. The instructor states that medications do not address the root cause of depression and that his course will enable students to transform depression into inspiration and inner peace without resorting to harmful medications.

Students will learn practical and easy-to-follow qigong routines that will help release stress, malaise, and negative thoughts. The course will also teach how to activate life-force energy, reconnect to inner fire, stop negative thought spirals, and attain a good night’s sleep.

Lee Holden, the course instructor, is a Qigong master who has studied with Master Mantak Chia, worked on staff with Deepak Chopra, and earned a degree as a doctor of Chinese medicine from Five Branches University. He is also the owner of the Santa Cruz Chi Institute.

The course is executive produced by Lee Holden and Ben Cox, directed and edited by Daniel Todd Villegas, and videography by Teresa Chu. Other contributors include Ocean Silver for DVD authoring/streaming, Dean Evenson for music, Axie Breen for package design, and Villegas for photos. The course is copyrighted by Lee Holden in 2020.

The course is available for streaming from the YMAA website, and students looking for more programs can visit the Holden Qigong website for dozens of additional options. The course content is divided into an introduction section and various length follow-along workout options.

8. Easy 18 Qigong for Health and Stress Reduction by Susan Thompson (Udemy)

The Easy 18 Qigong for Health and Stress Reduction course, instructed by Susan Thompson, aims to promote health and reduce stress through gentle movements. The Qigong movements taught in the course are soft, gentle, and flowing, yet challenging. Often referred to as “meditation through movement,” Qigong and Tai Chi help quiet the mind through slow and fluid movements.

Each movement in Qigong has specific inherent medical benefits, including healing, boosting the immune system, increasing energy, reducing pain, increasing strength and balance, and reducing stress and anxiety. The movements can be performed by anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, without getting up and down off the floor, holding awkward postures, or extreme stretching. Participants are encouraged to respect their body and remain within their comfort zone of movement.

The movements flow from one to the other, generating a gentle flow of “Qi” in the body. “Qi,” or life force/energy, creates a healing environment both mentally and physically, promoting calmness, internal peace, and cultivating both inner and external strength. The course consists of an introduction, lessons on each of the 18 individual movements, moving through the 18 Qigong movements with verbal cues, and an 18 Qigong run-through at the beach without verbal cues.

9. Connecting Heaven & Earth Qigong by Des Lawton (Udemy)

The Connecting Heaven & Earth Qigong course is led by Des Lawton, who has over 30 years of experience teaching Qigong. The course offers a five elements stand-alone exercise that can be practiced in three ways: as a Five Elements exercise, as an Exceptional Vessels exercise, or as an Internal Alchemy exercise. The course is structured to ensure that participants have all the necessary information before moving on to the lessons for each individual movement in the exercise. At the end of the course, participants will be able to practice the exercise and maintain balance in their meridian system.

The course has received positive reviews from participants who appreciated the detailed guidance and clarity provided by the instructor. Participants also valued the attention to internal skill and the tangible experience of Qi, rather than just physical movements. The course covers various aspects of Qigong, including Wuji stance, using subtleties within movements and postures, breathwork, and listening jing. Downloadable files are available with additional information.

This course is designed for people who are serious about Qigong and want to practice true Qigong. It is not a shortcut and requires participants to follow the structure of the course to avoid misunderstandings and hampered progress. The course emphasizes working internally and enhancing the practitioner’s Qi and flow of Qi within the meridian system and energy body. The movements and postures are tools used to guide the Qi, not Qigong in its entirety.

The course begins with an introduction to necessary Qigong information, stances, and a Qigong routemap. The Connecting Heaven and Earth exercise is taught in detail, with focus points necessary to make it true Qigong. The course also covers additional information that is pertinent to the exercise. The free preview introduction lesson offers more in-depth information about the course for those interested in learning more about true Qigong. Participants are encouraged to take their time and enjoy their Qigong journey.

10. Understanding Qigong 2: Qigong Breathing Keypoints w Dr Yang by YMAA Publication Center (Udemy)

The course “Understanding Qigong 2: Qigong Breathing Keypoints with Dr. Yang” is offered by YMAA Publication Center and lasts for 2 hours and 46 minutes. The course aims to provide a deeper understanding of the Chinese practice of Qigong, which is the study of energy (Qi) in the human body, through detailed instructions on Qigong breathing methods.

The course instructor, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, is a renowned expert and author on Qigong. He uses his years of training in Qigong and his Western scientific background as a Physics professor and Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering to offer a systematic approach to teaching Qigong theory. He also incorporates modern scientific data to support his theory from both an Eastern and Western perspective, making it a must for Qigong practitioners, acupuncturists, energy healers, and anyone interested in understanding exactly how and why Qigong works.

The course covers several keypoints such as the ‘Five Regulatings’ (body, breath, mind, qi, spirit) and explores the relationship between the thymus gland and emotions. The healing sounds of ‘Hen’ and ‘Ha’ and their relation to Qigong and Taijiquan are also discussed. Moreover, the course covers Laogong, Yongquan, Baihui, Four Gates, and other qigong breathing techniques, as well as the basic Chinese concept of treating common ailments, including the breathing techniques for lung cancer and asthma relief and prevention.

Overall, the course contains 15 video lessons totaling 165 minutes, and it is part of a series of six courses on UDEMY. The other courses in the series cover topics such as What is Qigong?, the Qi Circulatory System, Qigong Meditation – Embryonic Breathing, Four Seasons Qigong, and Qigong Meditation – Small Circulation.