According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, almost 50,000 people die every year from opioid overdoses, more than 10 million misuse opioids in a given year, and opioids are a factor in 72% of overdose deaths. You hear about the opioid crisis on the nightly news frequently but what can be done to help people deal with chronic pain (the reason they are likely taking the opioids in the first place). Can acupuncture really help? continue reading
In a nutshell, traditional acupuncture, also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM, works under the belief that the body is controlled by a flow of energy called qi traveling through pathways in the body that are called meridians. Acupuncturists believe that when these pathways become blocked and the energy can’t flow freely, various health problems begin to appear. continue reading
Cancer treatments can cause a variety of other side effects that also need to be addressed. More and more research is showing acupuncture as a viable option for additional pain management for those receiving chemotherapy or surgery and for the common side effects those treatments can bring. These side effects can include neuropathy, dry mouth, constipation, anxiety, and nausea. continue reading
Taught by Robert Bates and Matt Van Dyke New Three-Month Class Starting October 6, 2022.
Times, Costs, Location
Dates and times: Friday mornings from 7:30—9 AM
Beginning: Friday, October 6, 2022. Going through Dec 30
Cost: $100 per three-month quarter
Location: Presence Studio on Cornwall Avenue
To Sign Up Contact: Robert Bates at rbbatesdc@comcast.net
-or-
Matt Van Dyke at matt@bellinghamqigong.com
The Wild Goose Qigong system contains Chinese longevity exercises and meditations that originated in the Kunlun Mountains of Western China many centuries ago. The system is also known as Kunlun Dayan Qigong. Long a secret, Wild Goose Qigong became widely practiced in China in recent decades and is spreading to the rest of the globe. The exercises represent the daily routine of a wild goose—a bird of longevity, stamina, and high energy—and are effective at helping treat disease, increase energy, improve mental clarity and brain functions, and maintain general fitness. Matt and Robert know more than 20 movement forms in Wild Goose Qigong—several years worth of instruction. In addition, there are some 15 meditations taught in the system and many of these will be taught as well, over time.
Each class consists of warmups, followed by instruction and practice in one or more Wild Goose forms, and ends with a meditation.
The curriculum will be a varied sequence of short and long forms, with a particular focus on the foundational form called The First 64.
Some of these forms are fairly short and can be learned at a basic level in only a few weeks. Other forms are long and complex and take several months to learn the movements. Mastery of some of these forms takes years of practice, as there are many subtle details to incorporate. Wild Goose Qigong is a lifelong practice for health and longevity.
This quarter we will be focusing on the 8 Character Back Stretching Qi Gong, along with the 1st 64 form.
New students are welcome to join on the first class of each quarter year; that is the first Friday in October, January, April, and July. Qigong experience is useful, but not required
With 14 movements, 8 Character Back & Waist Stretching Qi Gong is a relatively short form in the Wild Goose Goose system. However, like all forms in this system, a little bit goes a long way toward health. This qi gong is designed to open the spine, waist, and hips, allowing for greater circulation throughout the hips and pelvic area and into the legs. With a blend of vigorous shaking and soft movements similar to tai chi, the whole body is invigorated, resulting in greater vitality, more energy, and targeted healing for the back and legs.
Matt Van Dyke, AEMP MQP
Matt Van Dyke is an Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Qi Gong practitioner clinically focused on maximizing quality of life and longevity. Matt is especially interested in helping to train patients and students to tap into their own innate potential and to facilitate new landscapes of healing. Matt is a student of Dr. Zhang Dong Xun OMD, having studied Jingui Golden Shield Qi Gong and Fit 150 Intended Evolution for the past 20 years. He has been teaching Qi Gong since 2007, both private classes, and at Middle Way Acupuncture Institute. Matt has also studied Dayan Wild Goose Qi Gong with Robert Bates religiously for the last 7 years. Together Matt and Robert have delved deep, studying and practicing over 20 forms and meditations of this vast system.
Robert B. Bates DC, MMQ
Robert is a healer and teacher of healing based in Bellingham, Washington. A 1990 graduate of Southern California College of Chiropractic, he has practiced in Washington State since 1992. He has taught many Qigong courses since 1997. He earned his Master of Medical Qigong certificate in 2001 from Jerry Alan Johnson at the International Institute of Medical Qigong. He has been practicing Wild Goose Qigong since 1999 and has taken Wild Goose classes and workshops from noted teachers Michael Tse, Bingkun Hu, and Paul Li. He currently teaches Medical Qigong at the Middle Way Acupuncture Institute. In addition he teaches workshops in Lymph Drainage Therapy and Fluid Articular Release for the Chikly Health Institute, an international teaching organization based in Arizona.
Our skin is our most visible organ and can often be the first thing people notice about us. If you suffer from a severe case of acne, eczema, or psoriasis, your skin care is the most important thing you think about. Over-the-counter medicine is a common first line of defense, but often the side effects are worse than the issue they are supposed to treat. continue reading
