Suggestions for Leading your SFQ Practice Group

Our goal is to connect people interested in sharing their love of Spring Forest Qigong with others and create supportive communities worldwide.

These suggestions are provided with the intent of helping people organize and facilitate a practice group. Each group will be unique and can be as simple as meeting in a home and using the active exercise and sitting meditations from level I. Use what information feels right to you. Think of the practice sessions as a time for sharing and having fun!   

Purpose

To help people discover how beautiful and powerful they are by giving them the opportunity to share their healing energy with others and lead the active exercises, sitting meditations, or group healings if they choose.

Location

There are a variety of locations that will open their doors to groups like this for no charge.  Churches, community centers, schools, and private homes are just a few.  Also, many libraries and wellness centers have community rooms that provide a quiet setting.  Be aware that some locations may ask you to sign a contract and obtain a key.

Cost/Site donations

These should be free and offered to anyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Ask your site if it’s OK to have a goodwill donation.  Participants can be asked to donate a dollar or two for use of the space.  Money could be turned in to the church or organization once a month.  Refrain from giving expectations of expected attendance or amount of money that will be gathered.  It’s not recommended to pay a set fee for use of any space.

The practice group coordinator/leader should not personally accept any money for holding the meetings. 

Length of the meeting

A duration of 1½ to 2 hours for evening groups works well, groups that meet in the daytime may want to have meetings as long as 2 ½ hours. Start on time! People will always be late, but out of respect for those who make it on time and to get the fullest use of your practice time, start at the specified time.

Practice Group list

Get the phone numbers and emails of those who want to be part of the group. This can be used to send out reminders and also to communicate when someone needs help between practice sessions. A phone tree may also be created to help communicate meeting locations, changes, or cancellations.  One example would be where the leader calls 2 people, each of them calls 2 people, and so forth.

Suggested agenda

The leader can welcome everyone and let them know the agenda for the practice session. Some groups like to begin with a 5 minute centering meditation or by chanting for a few minutes. Members can introduce themselves by giving their name.  From there the group can do a series of active exercises from Level 1 then move to a sitting meditation.

Keep the focus on Spring Forest Qigong

Some people may want to talk a lot but practice sessions cannot be used as therapy sessions.  If the group would like, people can ask specific questions about qigong or share insights. One larger group has found it works best to hold the discussion at the end. They do brief (5 minute) healings right away- this helps people let go of whatever issues they may have brought into the room. Then they move right into active exercises and the meditation. People are then more relaxed when they do have a discussion because they have completed their practice. People may want to conclude their meetings with a group healing which people can take turns leading. The agenda will depend on how much time the group has and the interests of its members.

Some tips

If someone gets stuck because they have an emotional problem and they are taking too much time, the leader can simply ask that the group pause and hold that person, their family, their situation in the light and send energy for a minute and let people know that you will then move on with the practice. (You also have the option to continue the discussion at the end of the practice or the following week.)

Encourage other people to lead the active exercises by having a calendar where people can sign up. Help them feel relaxed by letting them know they have the support of the group and that everyone’s energy and Master Lin’s energy is with them. If you consider yourself a practice group host rather than leader, others may step up faster to help lead. Let people know you will be doing the exercises as Master Lin has taught them in the manual, so it may be helpful to reread them before they lead. If someone is doing something wrong as they are leading, refrain from correcting them in front of the group – give them feedback privately.

Follow the exercises directly with the meditation: You can gradually lower the volume for the music used for active exercises and let them know that you are coming to the end of the active exercises. Have people keep their focus inside as much as possible as they sit and get ready for sitting meditation.  If you wish to send energy to people you can do this during the sitting meditation.  Ask people to raise their hand if they don’t want energy sent to them. Allow time for harvesting of the Qi after the meditation.

Healing practice

Insist that people practice Spring Forest Qigong healing. They may know healing touch, reiki, or any number of other healing modalities, but they are participating in a SFQ practice session.  Additionally, items such as magnets, oils, or other healing products should also be kept out of the practice group. 

If someone doesn’t know level II, simply instruct them in the swordfinger technique, let them ask where the person wants healing and tell them to work on the good side first. They may want the option to simply watch and be in the energy. Have people turn to their right or left to find their healing partner or develop some system so that people don’t waste time finding a partner and everyone feels comfortable (rather than letting people pick a partner).

For a group healing, people can write down names for healing at the beginning of the practice and add more names with their mind during the group healing. Once the leader has explained the group healing and done it a few times, others can lead it. It is meant to be short and very focused just as Master Lin teaches it.

Situations that may come up

• Emergencies: If someone faints or is acting in a way that makes you feel they need medical help, call 911 then do qigong to help them move the energy
  
• People want to come who know nothing of qigong: If new people show up welcome them, let them know that qigong helps you move out blockages that cause illnesses – and continue as you usually do. Give only the instructions you would when normally leading the level 1 exercises.  Too much discussion and explaining of the techniques for new people can take time away from the rest of the group.  Your focus should be given to those that came to practice.
  
• There are several options to assist with newcomers.  You can offer an introductory session or orientation to explain what qigong is about and to let them experience a simple exercise.  This can be offered either half an hour before the practice starts or it can be offered on a different day.  You can refer them to qigong classes with Normandale Community College or local SFQ classes, or you can simply let them join right into the practice group. You can also make it your policy to have it open to just those who have taken level I – it is totally up to you – do what you feel comfortable with. You may want to recommend they buy the manual and DVD if they cannot attend a class. 
  
• Maintain a scent free policy: Let people know when they inquire about your group that scents are not allowed, even healing fragrances like essential oils. If they come with a fragrance, ask them privately to wash it off – if this can’t be done, you can ask them to leave or let them know not to wear fragrances in the future.
    
• The leader can’t make it to a practice: If someone cannot cover for the leader, send out an email or call those you know have participated or might be coming. Then post a note or have someone else post a note on the practice room door in case someone comes who wasn’t expected.
  
• The room is uncomfortably hot: Use fans if you need to – people will not relax if they are very hot.
  
• Animals at the meetings: No animals are allowed at the practices with the exception of a trained seeing-eye dog that is needed by its owner.
  
• Noises or disruptions: If you are in a place that has intermittent disruptions you can prepare the group ahead of time by setting the intention that any noise or interruption will only deepen their meditation.

Enjoy your practice group!  If you have questions or suggestions please email us at Connect@SFQGuild.com.