We move slowly through the year, sharing practice: a short warmup, a standing form, and a more meditative seated form to close. With each season we change forms to support the organ pairs naturally rejuvenating in that season.
As the season changes we teach the new standing form and then settle into practice. Then we teach the new seated form and settle further into practice and meditation together for the remainder of the season.
The focus of this one hour class is practice together, not rigorous qigong training. We encourage you to practice with your own local group in person either live with us or together in your preferred time with the recording. Be creative, but practice.
You may register at any time—just have patience with yourself if you join when we are in a practice phase. We will be teaching and learning again in the next season. Questions are always welcome. Over the course of the year we learn and practice 4 standing forms and 4 seated forms.
Move through the seasons with us. Nourish abundant yin and cultivate true yang.
We teach with boundless gratitude to the Chinese teachers and masters we have studied with and the ancestors of the lineages that they carry. We teach only forms that these masters have certified and/or sanctioned us to teach. We offer them in joy and devotion with the greatest respect for the cultures that birthed and cultivated them.
With respect for the past and hope for the future, we offer these practices for the good of the entire web of life on earth.
- ShengZhen.org and Master Li Junfeng
- LingGui.org Master Liu He
- The Té School, (2005-2007)
In 20 years of practice, Richard integrates his allopathic experience with his holistic degree to create a “whole being” approach to medicine. Treating the spiritual body along with the physical body gets at the root of problems, resolves secondary symptomatic presentations, and keeps the chronic symptoms from reoccurring.
Richard began his medical career in 1976 as a paramedic and fireman in Eugene, OR. He then moved to Portland to pursue an advanced medical degree, graduating from the East-West College of Massage in 1999 and the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2004.
Christina L Pratt, Founder, Last Mask Center in Portland, Oregon
Christina has found qigong essential in her 30+ years of shamanic healing and teaching. A rigorous animist life spent actively tending the souls of the living and the dead, that is positioned in the extractive, oppressive, and disconnected norm of life in the USA, is extremely taxing. The regular practice of qigong has been essential to support and cultivate well-being and energetic balance.
What: Seasonal qigong, standing and seated forms.
Where: Online Live via Zoom
When: Thursday evenings @ 7:00 PM Pacific, ongoing
Duration: 1 hour
Why: In our current times we need to nourish and cultivate our energy and our bodies AND it’s more fun to do it together!
Who: Richard B. McConnell, L.Ac. and Christina L Pratt
Cost: $50 USD quarterly or $17 USD monthly
I have limited mobility. Will this benefit me?
Yes. Many people worldwide find the regular practice of qigong beneficial at all ages and ranges of mobility.
When is class?
Class is live, online Thursdays at 7:00 PM Pacific time. Richard and Christina co-teach. Click here to check in your timezone.
What if I can’t make class time?
The classes will be recorded. The recording will be available for practice for one week until the next class is posted.
I’m a beginner. Is this a good course for me?
Yes. These are not advanced forms and the teaching is ongoing. You are always welcome to ask questions live. Or on our dedicated, online discussion space on Mighty Networks if you are unable to attend live and we will respond in the next class.
But I want to practice with a group and I can’t join you at that time!!!
Create your own group in your timezone and practice together from the recording.
Where is the course?
The class will be held live, online. There is no course website.
Information about and videos of the forms we are teaching are available from the respective masters and their schools.
How will I know what’s going on with the course?
Once registered you will receive 2 weekly emails, one reminding you of class and the Zoom info for live class and one after class with the access information to the recording for that week.
When will I be charged for the class?
Your recurring payment will be charged, depending on your choice, either quarterly or monthly from the date you register. For example, if you register on October 3 for monthly payments you will be charged each month on the 3rd. If you register on October 3 for quarterly payments, you will be charged again on January 3rd. You may cancel at anytime.
Will there be a pay per class option?
We find this drop-in option too disruptive for students who are committed. The forms we are teaching and practicing are all available online, most of them for free. If you are uncertain, learn the forms first and then decide if you want to practice with us. Or register for a month.
How do I cancel?
You can email us anytime at assistance@lastmaskcenter.org, or use the link in your welcome email, and we will cancel your payments immediately.
If I pick quarterly and cancel mid quarter – will I be refunded?
No. If you are uncertain select monthly first as you decide.
Will there be a Mighty Networks space?
Yes. You will receive the information to sign in or join this class after registration.
7:00 PM is the middle of the night, will the live classes ever be offered at a different time/day?
That depends on how people engage with this one. We are likely to support a group of dedicated practitioners with a live class at a time that better suits them. However, until you start practicing, we don’t know who you are. Until you start practicing, coalesce a group, and sort out a day/time, you don’t know who you are.
If you have questions please get in touch.