In the last four months, I have spent over 100 hours training at STQI Toronto and it has been an amazing experience. The teachers and the community are truly exceptional. In my time at the school, I have;

• practiced the moving meditation, body awareness, and energy cultivation of Chi Gong and worked on understanding the power of momentum, core, and breath chi in Gentle Kung Fu with the head master of the school, Shifu Dao;
• worked on harnessing the raw power of my mind and body through the intense physical and mental training of Women's Self Defense with lead instructor Rosemary;
• watched my 4-year-old son be influenced by great role models and have fun while learning how to meditate and focus on his Kung Fu training in the kid’s classes.

Four months ago, I was overworked, stressed, out of shape, overweight and really not in a mindset where any spiritual growth would have been possible. Over the last four months I’ve become visibly leaner, stronger, more flexible, and have more cardiovascular endurance. I’m regaining the muscle definition I had pre pregnancy and have lost four inches off my waist!

There are many logical or rational reasons why I choose to follow the path of training in martial arts, but ultimately, in my time at the school, I have learned that there is also something deeper... something spiritual to be attained through dedicated practice. It is not just that my head understands the benefits and feels the pull to train, but also that my other two centers of consciousness, my heart and my gut are lit up while training leading to a more joyful and creative experience that is now working its way into my life more broadly.

I am grateful for the school and all of the teachers that have helped me on my journey so far. I'm excited for the next four months and my next 100 hours of training!

In the last four months, I have spent over 100 hours training at STQI Toronto and it has been an amazing experience. The teachers and the community are truly exceptional. In my time at the school, I have;

• practiced the moving meditation, body awareness, and energy cultivation of Chi Gong and worked on understanding the power of momentum, core, and breath chi in Gentle Kung Fu with th... [MORE]

I’ve had so many injuries since my teenage years (broken bones, fractures, dislocation, multiple sprains, rotator cuff injury, double lung pneumonia, frozen shoulder & a few other things), I accepted limitation & pain as a part of my life for decades. The practices of stretch therapy, qigong, tai chi, and kung fu have all been immensely life changing for me. I now understand what freedom truly feels like in my joints & spine. Even a month & half ago, I wouldn’t imagine trying Kung Fu at age 45. I am attending my 6th session with Val tomorrow & plan on attending regularly next semester! This is the miracle of what these practices have done for me. I wholeheartedly and gladly invite people to experience this for themselves. There is no greater victory in life than learning to master all parts of myself. Thank you for all that you so generously teach & offer. We are very lucky to have Master Dao and the school in Toronto :)

I’ve had so many injuries since my teenage years (broken bones, fractures, dislocation, multiple sprains, rotator cuff injury, double lung pneumonia, frozen shoulder & a few other things), I accepted limitation & pain as a part of my life for decades. The practices of stretch therapy, qigong, tai chi, and kung fu have all been immensely life changing for me. I now understand what freedom tru... [MORE]