Dr. Kathy Yep

Class: zoom link. 

I hope you are all well.  You are invited to practice this Sunday, August 6. We will gather together and practice movement on the 78th anniversary of the U.S. dropping the bomb on Hiroshima.  Longtime feminist peace activist, Dr. Gwyn Kirk commented this moment is also an invitation to lift up 78 years of collective mobilization for nuclear disarmament and genuine security. Gwyn and the International Women’s Network Against Militarism define militarism and genuine security in the following ways:

“We define militarism as a system of beliefs, political priorities and economic investments. Militarism includes the activities of corporations that produce and sell weapons, the role of state militaries–including state-sanctioned violence, martial law, repression, extra-judicial killings, military coups, and military dominance within governments–as well as non-state militias. Militarism is shored up by patriarchy and reinforces violent masculinity. Military sexual violence is a manifestation of this synergy between militarism and patriarchy.

Militarism cannot solve the coronavirus pandemic, the global climate crisis, or poverty and hunger caused by current economic policies and the actions of totalitarian governments. Militarized police violence, especially against migrants and other disenfranchised communities all evidence the fact that militarism and war do not and cannot provide genuine security for people or the planet.

Genuine security requires the following guarantees: that the environment can sustain life; people’s basic needs are met; human dignity is respected; people’s sovereignty is assured; and society is organized so as to prevent avoidable harms. “

As we honor the impact of nuclear devastation and the collective actions  for peace, we will practice with both grounding in what is and reaching for what is possible in order to bridge the concept of genuine security and our bodies.   

For our practice, all experience levels welcome. May be practiced lying down, sitting in a chair, or standing. If you have to arrive late or leave early, no worries. Animal and human family members are welcome. Offered in the spirit of generosity. Donations accepted for community partner: interfaith movement for human integrity or international women’s network against militarism. #First Sundays

I invite you to drop-in live, online da yan qì gōng Wednesday mornings, 8 – 9 a.m. PDT.  Suggested: $10 or sliding scale $1- $10 per session. Poems, cards, quotes, and art also welcome.  No one turned away for lack of funds.  Class: zoom link.

 At the end of month send check or offerings to: K. Yep, P.O. Box 1313, Monterey Park, CA 91754 for the number of Wednesdays you attended. All levels are welcome. Bring open heart, cultural humility, and water. Come early or late. Leave early if needed.

what is Qì Gōng?

Qì gōng (Chee gong) is connecting to, working with, and cultivating qì (flow, energy or life force). We do this by stretching and moving the body to open the energy pathways known as meridians or channels.  Qì gōng can foster calm awareness and the relaxation response.  Beyond the physical level, Qì gōng can be empowering because qì is in everything and everyone, including the earth and the sky.  In this way,  qì gōng can remind us that we are all interconnected even in the face of being torn apart, confronting a large and cruel system, or experiencing loneliness. Qì can nourish the sense and feeling that we are not alone. Practicing qì gōng has the potential to center interconnectivity — in contrast to dehumanizing, appropriating, tossing away, violating, extracting, or marginalizing. 

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Whether its your first time or your 26th, all levels are welcome. I encourage you to practice the movements and breathing in a way that makes sense for you — whether sitting in a chair, standing, or lying down. If you come late or have to leave early, you are invited to participate.  Feel free to share this with people.   Bing cultural humility, an open heart, and water.  

DA YAN/ WILD GOOSE Qì Gōng CONTEXT

I started to learn wild goose qì gōng because I was recovering from cancer and it was rough. I am cancer-free and have practiced this form close to 30 years. This knowledge system dates back over 1000 years, and is also known as dayan qì gōng. It is a comprehensive system of medical qigong that includes over fifty forms.  Some are movement-based and others are sitting meditation practices.

The current understanding and practice of this qì gōng system is credited to Grandmaster Yang Meijun (27th lineage holder).  Living past 100, Yang Meijun shifted the discourse and practice by becoming the first woman lineage holder and by teaching it to the public starting in the 1970s. 

Drop-in, live online da yan qì gōng. Offered in the spirit of generosity. Donations accepted for community partner: interfaith movement for human integrity. #First Sundays

Click here to join the qì gōng email list!

When I had cancer, I started learning dayan (wild goose) qì gōng from Paul Li and Dr Bungkun Hu. In this last decade, I have been teaching qì gōng to foster the relaxation response in the face of challenges and/or systemic inequities. Currently, I am researching qì to address educational inequities for students.

Join me this Friday, 5/19: 12 – 1 pm PT for a free online qì gōng workshop through AARP California for APIDA Heritage Month. Registration required.

Open to all. No experience necessary. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Bring water and cultural humility.

“For Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May, join us for an opportunity to learn and celebrate the community’s tradition with regards to health and wellness: qigong (pronounced chee-gung). Professor Kathy Yep, a certified mindfulness facilitator and a practitioner of Dayan Qì Gōng, will provide a demonstration of Qì Gōng’s gentle, flowing movements and breathing technique. Qì Gōng is gentle and easy to learn and is suitable for all ages and physical conditions.Qì Gōng, a meditative practice of gentle stretching, movement and breathing, has shown the potential to lower stress and anxiety. Please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.

Please do not opt out of event-related emails, as you will be emailed a link to join the class via Zoom prior to the event. 

FREE, ONLINE: REGISTER HERE

For more information, contact AARP California at caaarp@aarp.org.