Why 'Qi Garden'?
The process of cultivating and maintaining the health and harmony of body, mind, energy, and spirit in many ways mirrors the process of caring for a garden, giving careful consideration to the quality of the soil, the amount of water, sunlight, and so on, ensuring that each element of the ecosystem receives what it needs to thrive. Whether it’s within the human body, or in a garden, both require patience, attentiveness, and an understanding of the natural rhythms to foster growth and vitality.
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Just as gardening involves observing and responding to the needs of the land, maintaining one’s health and well-being involves tuning into the signals of body, mind, and energy, and adjusting one’s lifestyle and fitness / wellness routines, to support optimal health and well-being. Both gardening and fitness / wellness training aim to support a healthy and resilient 'ecosystem', through skillfully attending to all of the various elements within their respective systems, and valuing the interconnectedness between the different parts.
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The logo above is based on a geometric pattern commonly known as the 'Flower of life'. In the context of Qi Garden Wellness, each of the spheres in the image represents one of six core elements, within a larger wellness landscape. The six core elements being Cleanse & Release, Strength & Endurance, Flexibility & Mobility, Relax & Flow, Nurture & Restore, and Meditation & Integration. Instead of existing in isolation, the spheres overlap and support one another in natural and symbiotic ways, with each element being a vital piece of the whole.​​
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Each offering of Qi Garden Wellness, whether it be a public class, private session, or digital resource, is rooted in one or more of these 6 spheres. Some emphasizing strength & endurance, others focusing more on flexibility & mobility, or perhaps healing & restoration, but all are designed to work together as part of a larger holistic framework. This ensures that no matter where someone enters, through meditation, physical training, or restorative practices, they are contributing to their larger ecosystem of wellness, cultivating balance, resilience, and vitality across body, mind, energy, and spirit.
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About Ben
Hello there! If we have yet to meet, please let me take a moment to introduce myself... My name is Ben, and I am a longtime instructor and practitioner of Yoga, Taiji / Qigong, fitness / mobility training, breathwork, and meditation. I have been teaching in the fitness / wellness industry for over 20 years now, and am grateful that since beginning my teaching career in 2002, I've been able to connect with, and meet many lovely people, from a variety of different walks of life, and in a variety of different settings.
I do my best to stay active, engaged, and current in all of the respective disciplines that I instruct. I have multiple certifications in Yoga, and Taiji / Qigong instruction, as well as studying in a variety of other fitness, martial, and movement systems over the years. I've had the good fortune to study and train with many excellent teachers, including extensive studies with Ben Thomas in the Iyengar Yoga tradition, and Tony Wong in Chen Taiji and Qigong. These days I enjoy utilizing a variety of different fitness / wellness tools in my own life and practice... namely Yoga, Taiji / Qigong, breathwork, meditation, calisthenics, kettlebells, HIIT, and mobility exercises. I also enjoy getting in some hiking, and / or biking when I can. Outside of this, I enjoy gardening, creating art of different varieties, and spending time with friends and family.
Even though I find myself in the role of a fitness / wellness instructor by profession, I also consider myself a life-long student, and do my best to continue to learn, and stay open to the journey of life, with fresh eyes. It is my hope that each person leaves my classes, sessions, and / or courses, feeling a greater sense of peace, inspiration, and well-being. :)
Here are just a handful of the many companies for which I have provided my services to over the years...
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