About us

For millennia, the mindful movement of qigong has been used to regain health, sustain wellbeing and cultivate spiritual awareness. Whether you want to start on your journey, continue to learn, or share this transformative practice with others, we can help.

We are passionate about Qigong

Over the millennia many styles of qigong have evolved, each style having its own strengths and benefits, each style having its devotees and its critics. It’s very easy to get caught in the process of trying to find the best style of qigong, but the bottom line is there is only the best style of qigong for you in your current situation.

Whether we are exploring the common origins and shared principles that exist within multiple styles, or training into the individual styles of qigong that our teachers have dedicated themselves to.

We believe that we should be able to listen to, and learn from each other and this can only further enhance our own chosen practice. We take this approach in our training. Through practice, discussion and a more open understanding of how qigong can be used in a modern western environment, we want to support you in your chosen style of qigong.

“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”

“It’s easier to go a journey with one bicycle…”

We believe it’s important to work through a recognised system of qigong. These systems are carefully crafted in order to help you cultivate your physical and mental health while mastering the way you use your qi and gaining a deeper understanding of oneness.

Our team have all dedicated themselves to their chosen system of qigong and are able to guide you through these systems at whatever level is relevant to you.

Just like us, these systems have commonalities and differences, but rather than look at which is best, we believe it is better to work together in order to learn from each other and advance our own personal practice. Just because your practice is within one system doesn’t mean you can’t learn from a different perspective…

The main systems that we currently train in are listed below:

Shaolin Cosmos Qigong

少林太虚气功

Combining Buddhist and Daoist influences to offer radiant health, tremendous internal force and spiritual fulfilment.

Find Out More

Zhineng Qigong

智能气功

As taught at the Huaxia Centre in the 1990’s a full system for healing and self-cultivation.

Find Out More

Health Qigong

More details coming soon. Stay tuned!

The Team

John Millar

John is a Zhineng Qigong practitioner and our primary tutor. He has a wealth of experience in bringing qigong to the corporate and integrative health sectors.

More about John

Marillia Blackburn

Marillia is a Zhineng Qigong teacher and Classical Chinese Acupuncturist.
Actually, her understanding and skills set goes well beyond this, but you get the idea.

More about Marillia

Naomi Merritt

Naomi is a medical researcher, former paramedic and qigong teacher. She makes qigong hugely accessible to her clients and is central to the research and integrative aspects of our training.

More about Naomi

Feixia Yu

Feixia is the Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Central Lancashire and teaches Taiji and Health Qigong to name just a few of her talents…

More about Feixia

Josef Puff

Joe is our technical guy, website wizard and chief cameraman. But much more than that, he is passionate about qigong and understands how to market and build businesses.

More about Josef

Luise Kohl-Hajek

Luise is central to the German Zhineng Qigong Association and brings her huge understanding of Qigong along with her passion for counselling, coaching and mentoring to her work.

More about Luise

People who have been important to The Qigong Academy’s development

Tim Franklin

Tim is a practitioner of Shaolin Cosmos Qigong and highly experienced therapist and martial artist.

More about Tim

Zou Ping

Although now back in China, Zou Ping spent a number of years living and working with us in the UK.

More about Zou

Find a Teacher

As well as our Main Tutors, our teachers map show you our accredited teachers, student teachers and a range of other teachers who are part of the Qigong Academy’s network.

Here’s a key to help you decipher the markers on the map:

– Tutors working with the Qigong Academy
– Teachers accredited by Qigong Academy
– Student Teachers studying with the Qigong Academy
– Other teachers

Testimonials

Of the Teacher Training:

“As a Qigong teacher, the Qigong Academy offers a comprehensive and in depth teacher training course which not only focuses on practice but includes the history and philosophy of Qigong as well making it one of the best and most rounded teacher training courses I have ever attended”
Tracey
Congleton
“If you wish to learn and grow and are willing to be challenged in a safe and nurturing environment, by teachers with a wealth of experience, this is the course to choose.”
Margaret
Manchester

General Testimonials

“As a long time practitioner of Qigong, the Qigong Academy offer a wide variety of practice sessions whether you want a consistent daily morning practice or to commit to a 6 week course learning a particular form.  There are also a variety of workshops, seminars and retreats that are organised throughout the year for those of us who like to learn in blocks and go away and practice by ourselves.  John and his fellow teachers are always open and approachable to new ideas and subjects for workshops and collaborations.“
Tracey
Congleton
“I began attending the morning meditation on Zoom at the beginning of the first UK lockdown,  The help it has given me has been wonderful.
Spending an hour with Zou Ping has been a great way to start the day, allowing me to relax after waking up with any concerns over what the day might hold in store.
It hasn’t always been easy.  The meditation releases blockages in the mind and body which can test my ability to relax, but these stresses do disappear and allow harmony in my life. I am so grateful to Zou Ping for his commitment, his understanding and his ability to lead us to peace”
Jim
Birmingham
“John is an excellent teacher. He is dedicated, humble, thoughtful, openminded and has great sense of humour. In addition to all these qualities he also has something very important to me: a wonderful voice. So thank you John and Haola :)”
Sofia
Sweden
“I have been fortunate to have been studying and practicing qigong now for over 25 years. I have been blessed to have studied with many many masters, most from the Medicineless Hospital. My husband and I have an international qigong center in Hawaii, Hawaii International Qigong Institute, and several of these masters have come and spent several months with us, teaching and sharing their wisdom with our guests.  It has been such an honor to study so closely with so many great Zhineng Qigong  teachers! However, for me, personally, Master Zou Ping,  has always stood out as number one!  I have known him for almost 20 years and spent significant time studying with him. He is the epitome of qigong, in that he absolutely lives what he teaches, every moment. He is such a great model for living in Qi. His teachings are clear and precise. Zou Ping is truly one of the best teachers I have ever come across”
Karin
Hawai