2024 Recap: Reflections from our Qigong Journey

< back to blog home

NamastetoNihao contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of our affiliate or Amazon links, I may receive a small commission, for which I am extremely grateful, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this website free with helpful information. 

Last Updated on November 9, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

For our 2024 Recap, where we’re diving into the our reflections from our Qigong journey from following our purpose to learnings we embarked this year. From embodying the practice, to embracing the teacher/coach, and hosting wellness experiences and retreats—this year has been nothing short of extraordinary.

We’re excited to make these recaps a tradition, a way to share what we’ve learned with our community.

Let’s dive in!

The Beginning of our Qigong Yoga Journey: A Quiet Curiosity

This past year with QiGong has been transformative in ways I didn’t anticipate.

It began almost quietly, with a simple curiosity about this ancient practice that soon became a grounding force in my life.

For those who haven’t heard of Qigong before, Qigong is a moving meditation from ancient China. It is a powerful system that combines movement, breath, meditation, and focused intention.

Qigong is practiced worldwide for reducing stress, boosting energy, improving flexibility, better sleep, and strengthening both body and mind. 

What started as an experiment—just me, alone with my breath for 15 minutes each day—gradually grew into something much larger.

My inner world shifted; my relationships and the energy around me changed. QiGong didn’t just become part of my routine— Qigong became a part of me.

In those early days, I felt the call to embrace QiGong fully, even if that meant stepping into something new and unfamiliar.

With each session, I noticed my mind calming, the constant chatter quieting.

Jade, noticing the peace it brought me, decided to join. Our afternoons became something sacred, a space we shared to simply be, letting the movements guide us toward stillness.

Together, We Evolved: From Garden to Community

Practicing with Jade opened up a whole new layer of connection. We took our QiGong outdoors, letting nature be part of the experience.

At first, this brought up insecurities and self-doubts—worries about how we might appear to others. But something deeper pushed us forward.

These small, daily sessions brought subtle, 1% shifts in perspective, and I grew to trust this journey.

Having Jade beside me made the experience richer; together, we leaned into the practice, not for perfection but for presence.

Under the sun, our sessions felt almost ritualistic. As spring turned to summer, we became more attuned to the world around us, noticing life in all its details.

A pair of zebra doves, quietly moving about, caught our attention, and they quickly became a part of our routine. Inspired by them, we started leaving bird food, inviting them into our little world of movement and mindfulness.

Soon, more birds joined—red cardinals, spotted doves, creating a gathering around us. Practicing in nature became a joy, a reminder of how interconnected we are with everything around us.

The First Signs of Growth: Validation and a Ripple Effect

Then came a moment that I hadn’t expected but deeply appreciated.

In an encounter, a lady passing by started shyly mimicking our Qigong movements from a distance. I felt an inner nudge to smile and wave my hand to invite her over. She joined us without hesitation.

Later, she shared her story—she was recovering from cancer, and QiGong had brought her a sense of peace and the best sleep she had in years.

Her words reminded me of the profound power of this practice, and in that moment, I realized I was becoming a guide—a source of light, much like the sun that once illuminated me.

Sharing QiGong Beyond the Garden: The Birth of a Vision

2 baby dove birds born in our garden

As we continued our practice, Jade had a creative spark—why not professionally film our Qigong routines and share them online? At first, I felt hesitant.

But soon, our afternoons of quiet movement turned into something larger. We started filming, directing and creating videos, bringing QiGong to places we traveled, each video an extension of our purpose.

We filmed and shared sessions, fine-tuning each movement, making each video an invitation for others to join us on this journey.

With each Qigong video we filmed, I found myself growing more intentional in how I guided others.

You can watch our free Qigong Youtube series for beginners. We recommend starting here if you are more experienced.

I started emodying the role of the teacher with Jade behind the camera as our creative director.

Now we have both embraced the roles as teachers.

From our videos to the small community forming around us, the practice kept expanding, connecting us to new people, new experiences.

Our friends, family, and even people from around the world have now started doing Qigong with us.

Following what we loved with a knowing, we also started hosting wellness experiences and retreats in Oahu, Hawaii since February 2024 where we incorporate Qigong, meditation, yoga and holistic wellness.

In a beautiful seredipitous moment, a Wellness Center reached out, asking if I would teach QiGong there. I knew I was ready, and so was Jade.

It felt like the right time to share this practice with more people who can benefit from it.

It was a moment of the universe conspiring to help us share our gift with the world – a sign that our journey was easefully unfolding in ways that felt both natural and profound.

Our first class at the Still & Moving Center
So much joy after Qigong practice!

Key Reflections and Lessons Learned

1. Presence as Connection:

Our mornings with the doves taught me that slowing down reveals the hidden connections in life. When we open ourselves to stillness, the world around us opens up too.

2. Consistency leads to Transformation:

Those 15 minutes each day rewired my mind, fostering resilience and trust. I learned that consistency, even in small doses, is a powerful tool for change.

3. Embracing the Role of a Teacher:

Becoming a teacher for others wasn’t something I planned, but it felt right. Each interaction, each new face joining our practice reminded me of the joy of sharing light with others.

4. The Ripple Effect of Compassion:

Inviting others into our practice opened doors I hadn’t expected. With each encounter, I felt the healing power of compassion ripple outward, creating a shared experience of peace.


Looking Ahead: Growing a Community Rooted in Peace

Reflecting on this past year, I feel an immense sense of gratitude. Our journey with QiGong has been one of both inner and outer transformation.

Looking forward, I hope to keep growing this community, creating a space for others to find solace in stillness, just as I did.

My purpose is clearer now than ever: to teach, to build a community that embodies wellness and travel, and to inspire others to live the best version of their lives.

Together with Jade, I invite those seeking peace and balance to join us. We’re all on this path, each movement a chance to connect more deeply with ourselves and each other.

Here’s to the road ahead, to staying open to the unexpected ways this journey will evolve, and to the quiet power of being fully present.

Come try Qigong with us on our Qigong Youtube series!

We always use this site for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform and great rewards.

Hotels & Stays

We use this site, a highly-rated platform for booking rental cars around the world. It has a flexible free cancellation policy & often offers free additional drivers. 

Rental Cars

This is a highly rated platform to find the best deals on flights, and save big on your biggest expense of a trip. 

Find Flights 

This is the best site for comparing and booking experiences with local tour operators.

Book Tours & Attractions

We love using this site to book easy airport transfers, rides, and delivery in all countries. The drivers are pre-vetted and professional.  

Book a Bus/Train/Transfer

Travel insurance is essential for any trip! I use this travel insurance which has affordable rates and good coverage for many counties around the world.

Get Travel Insurance

Have a trip coming up soon? There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After traveling to dozens of countries and short term living abroad on several continents, here are some of our favorite websites and resources for planning unforgettable trips. ♥️

Essential Travel Resources

Get Travel Insurance

Use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while traveling—without getting a SIM card.

Best International Phone Plans

  1. anonymous says:

    This is content excellence at its finest! The depth of research and clarity of presentation sets a new standard. Your expertise in this field is truly impressive.

  2. anonymous says:

    I can’t express how valuable this post is! The level of detail and thoughtful explanations demonstrate your mastery of the subject. Truly a goldmine of information.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *