My introduction to Dayan Qigong came through my long-time acquaintance with Master Y.C. Chiang who had been my taijiquan mentor and teacher for over 40 years.  As a self-described “taji snob”, I knew qigong classes were being taught by Master Hui Liu, but had no interest in them. As the classes grew in popularity and the qigong students began to outnumber the taiji students, my curiosity peaked.  When the opportunity arose for a Dayan Qigong class to be held in Southern California, I jumped in to help make it happen. By recruiting my advanced taiji students to provide the “critical mass” needed to make it feasible, Cynthia Eaton, certified Dayan Qigong instructor, flew to Irvine over several months to teach us. The personal benefit for me initially was just being able try Dayan Qigong for myself. During the first class, I was surprised at how strong the sensation of Qi could be felt while doing the movements.  

Around this time, my taiji classes expanded to include Older Adults and Retirees. I soon realized that Dayan Qigong would be a better fit for many of the less physically active students I was beginning to teach. So in 2004, I decided to become certified as a Dayan Qigong Teacher and spent a year flying from Southern California to Northern California twice a month to take Teacher Training from Master Hui Liu and Dr. Erlene Chiang. 

Upon completing Teacher Certification in 2006, I began teaching Dayan Qigong through the Emeritus Institute at Irvine Valley College with classes in Irvine and Laguna Beach. When classes expanded to 3 locations in Irvine and Laguna Beach, I recruited fellow certified Teacher Judy Shields to be hired to teach one of them. By 2011, the Dayan Qigong community in Orange County had grown and matured enough to invite Cynthia Eaton back to Southern California to teach Second Set to a small but dedicated group of advanced students. I planned to take Second Set Teacher Training in the future so that I could continue to nurture and grow the community of qigong students in Orange County.  My qigong practice has continued to flourish since I committed to practice First Set every day in 2012. I learned Pai Da Gong from Master Hui Liu at Wen Wu School, once again enjoying my trips to the East Bay. My New Year’s resolution is to include Second Set in my daily practice!

In addition to Dayan Qigong, I teach classes inTaijiquan, which I have done for over 20 years.  My taiji training began with Guang Ping Yang style from a senior student of Master Y.C. Chiang in 1974 and later expanded to the Chen Man-Ching Short Form, Two-person Sparring Set, Yang Family Taiji saber and Taiji sword, Chinese Fan Boxing and Shaolin Staff.  For a short while I entered taiji tournaments, earning Gold Medals in Guang Ping empty-hand form and Yang Broadsword, as well as National Champion. I am also a certified Chinese Martial Arts tournament Judge and an advisor to the Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Association.  

Having done taijiquan and qigong for more than half my life, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying than being able to share these practices with others.

Background: Adjunct faculty for the Emeritus Institute at Irvine Valley College and a Community Education instructor. Faculty of the Year recipient for 2014-15 academic year.  Certified instructor of both Qigong and Taijiquan.  Has enjoyed a long relationship with both Masters Hui Liu and Y.C. Chiang and the Wen Wu School.  Founding organizer for World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in Orange County, and has presented and demonstrated Dayan Qigong at many World Tai Chi and Qigong Day events.