A question I often receive from people interested in my Qigong Teacher Training programs is: will I be accredited to teach Qigong classes once I complete the training?

The answer is yes. But, did you know that there isn’t a requirement in Australia (or in many other places) for Qigong teachers to be accredited or certified? So, like I did back in 2014, you could learn some Qigong off the internet and then go out and teach it to others.

I do not recommend that!

The Importance of Proper Training

There are thousands of iterations of Qigong, thousands of forms stemming from family lineages, schools, and traditions. These ancient practices have been refined and passed down through generations, often verbally and in person, ensuring that the wisdom and essence of the practices are preserved. Traditionally, to become a Qigong Teacher, there were no accreditations or certifications needed. Receiving a piece of paper that validates one’s proficiency from an external authority is a modern concept.

A core aspect of how I share Qigong these days is through my Qigong Teacher Training programs, so you might be wondering why I’m telling you this.

My Journey into Qigong

I stumbled into Qigong in 2013. When it was first suggested to me, I had never heard of it and had no idea what it was. After I started practising, from videos on the internet and DVDs—yes, they were still a thing back then — I realized I’d discovered something very special, healing and empowering.

I was at a time in my life when I needed something exactly like that. I had spent the past 18+ months roaming around the world — quite literally — in search of myself and some kind of purposeful vocation. Turns out I would first come in contact with that in Melbourne, where I’d started off the travels five years earlier.

This was the beginning of my journey into practising and teaching Qigong. After a few months, I knew that I needed to share what I was learning and experiencing with others, so, equipped with absolutely no training at all, that is what I did.

I started teaching Qigong at some community centres. I had no idea what I was doing, really. I’d learned some movements and forms, and I was off and running. I had no class framework, no idea about how Qi works, or the fundamental aspects of standing and breathing. I just knew that I loved the feeling and benefits of practicing Qigong and I was certain others needed it as much as I did!

Why Seek Formal Qigong Training

It wasn’t very long until I realised that I needed some formal training. I enrolled in a traditional style of Qigong training, which was part distance learning, part Skype, and part in-person. It was terrible. I’m sure the teacher was very proficient in Qigong, but the program itself was poorly delivered and difficult to participate in. By 2014, I was seeking more, but Qigong Teacher Training in Australia wasn’t even a thing, so that’s when I ventured to Santa Cruz in the US.

My journey in teaching Qigong has been apprenticeship style — I’ve worked it out as I’ve traversed my Dao. Over the past 11 years, I’ve participated in many Qigong trainings and complementary studies. While it’s not necessary to be certified or accredited, it is necessary to be proficient, embodied, and in integrity. The best way to do this is to be guided and mentored by someone who has walked the path before you. Someone who has, like in my case, made many mistakes, realised many errors in understanding and received the benefit of many years of practice experience.

Qigong is an art — the art of subtle power and intricate expression. Teaching Qigong to others is an art separate to one’s own practice. You can’t really learn this from the internet or by reading books on Qigong. This depth of understanding requires commitment, discernment, and devotion, qualities that are best cultivated through guidance and mentorship.

The Role of Accreditation in Deepening Your Practice

One of my students recently reflected this to me when she told me that she intended to pursue the optional accreditation that I offer in my Shen Gong program. In her words, accreditation provides the impetus to dig deep and really lock down the knowledge both physically and mentally.

I often refer to myself as a Qigong Devotee. I’ve found it difficult to come up with a title for myself that truly resonates, and it’s changed many times over the years: Qigong Teacher, Qigong Instructor, Qigong Teacher Trainer. I still haven’t found something I feel fully resonant with. What I am resonant with, though, is my devotion to the path of Yang Sheng Fa and sharing these philosophies, wisdom, and practices as a meaningful vocation.

You don’t need a certification or accreditation to make a purposeful contribution. You need integrity, devotion, and connection to your Ming, Shen, and Yi.

Commitment to the Dao of Qigong

While accreditation is available and can be beneficial, it's not a necessity to teach Qigong. What truly matters is your commitment, integrity, and devotion to the practice.

My journey from a novice to a devoted Qigong practitioner and teacher has been filled with learning, growth, and discovery. If you feel called to teach and share the healing art of Qigong, I encourage you to seek guidance, practice diligently and always stay connected to the essence of Qigong.

If you're interested in deepening your practice or becoming a Qigong Teacher, consider joining my Qigong Teacher Training programs. Allow me to guide and mentor you in this transformative journey.

Join the live session supported fully online Qigong Foundations Teacher Training program starting August 2024. Pre-study opens August 1st, 2024.