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“Qigong has transformed my life,” said Oliver Bock, Woodside resident and qigong teacher.
Every Thursday morning from 9-10 a.m. Bock teaches a recreational class in Woodside’s Independence Hall and is joined by town residents to practice the traditional Chinese meditative exercise.
Bock, 70, describes qigong as a practice of expressing thought and emotion through movement. He’s been practicing for over 10 years and learned from Lee Holden, a well-known qigong teacher based in Santa Cruz.
The practice focuses on breathwork, spiritual energy and slow movements, which all reduce stress. According to Bock, consistent practice helps build strength and flexibility.
The word “qi” translates to “vital energy” and Bock says “everything is qi.” According to historians, the practice, also known as dao yin, originates from Taoist traditions dating back to about 2146 B.C. Qigong is recognized within traditional Chinese medicine and has also been the subject of clinical studies by institutes including Brown University and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Bock began to practice qigong for the physical health benefits but “got more entranced by the spiritual practice.” He started practicing it more seriously when he moved to Hawaii about seven years ago. When transitioning into teaching, Bock said he had to adjust to the language behind explaining and guiding students during qigong movements while simultaneously practicing with them.
Within a year of seriously doing qigong, Bock says he started to feel his mental health and relationships improve and he gained more mental clarity.
While living in Hawaii, Bock was practicing and teaching qigong at a retreat center. He moved back to Woodside in January and wanted to continue teaching qigong in an area that he knew well. Bock spent summers with his family in Woodside but grew up in Palo Alto and went to Palo Alto High School.
“This ground feels familiar to me. It feels like home,” Bock said. He often walks barefoot on the trails around town as a way of grounding and connecting with the Earth.
During his classes, you’ll be exercising movements such as those that will “sweep the energy” of the heart and mind, which Bock said generates heat. Many of the movements are intended to create a balance of energy between the heart, mind and belly. In preparation for classes on Thursdays, Bock practices everyday and studies the lessons of Holden to be prepared to share with his students.
At this time, Bock currently has three loyal students who frequently attend his weekly classes in Independence Hall. Although it’s not many, he simply enjoys sharing the practice with others and expanding the impact that qigong has.
Sign up for Bock’s classes on woodsideca.gov under “Community.” Each class is $10 and it is suitable for all ages and abilities.
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