Turtle Qigong, known as Gui Gong, draws inspiration from the turtle, a symbol of longevity, wisdom, and stability in Chinese culture. Its grounded movements and postures reflect these qualities, encouraging a connection with nature while cultivating steadiness, balance, and inner calm.
The Spirit of the Turtle
Throughout the course, you’ll explore qualities traditionally associated with the turtle:
• Wisdom • Patience • Protection • Grounding • Flexibility • Calmness • Centredness
What You’ll Explore
Across eight weeks, you’ll develop:
- Posture, breath and balance
- Coordination, stability and whole-body connection
- Relaxation, grounding and stillness
- Mobility through the neck, shoulders and spine
- Awareness, steadiness and calm
Week 1: Breathing & Longevity
Practices
- Gather the Heavens
- Standing Turtle Breathing
★ Encourages relaxed breathing, postural awareness, and steady energy.
Week 2: Preparation & Warm-up
Practices
- Turtle Climbs from Hole
- Swinging Turtle
★ Develops mobility, coordination, and comfortable movement.
Week 3: Centring & Mobilising
Practices
- Turtle Looks Back
- Dantian
- Between the legs
- At the sides
- Palm & Arm Mobility
- Turning the palms inward and outward
- Circling forwards and backwards
★ Supports mobility, coordination, and relaxed whole-body awareness.
Week 4: Flow & Yielding
Practices
- Turning the Qi Ball
- Washing Qi
★ Encourages relaxed movement, natural coordination, and continuous flow.
Week 5: Structure & Rooting
Practices
- Settling the Qi
- Lifting the Cauldron
- Bowing Turtle
★ Builds stability, balance, and structural awareness.
Week 6: Steadiness & Coordination
Practices
- Turtle Walking
- Push Wave
★ Develops balance, coordination, and steadiness through movement.
Week 7: Embodiment & Stillness
Practices
- Swimming Turtle
- Turtle Meditation Posture
★ Cultivates relaxed awareness, embodiment, and stillness.
Week 8: Breathing & Integration
Practices
- Sitting Turtle Breathing
- Sitting Neck Circles
★ Encourages relaxed breathing, comfortable mobility, and mindful integration.
What’s Included
-
- 8 weeks of progressive Turtle Qigong
- Follow-along video instruction
- Weekly check-ins and support
- Lifetime access to lessons and resources
Course Details
Cost: £400
- 8 weekly instalments: £50 per week
- Pay in full: £340 (save £60)
- Format: Online video course
Register below to receive payment details.
Qigong’s history predates written language. Artifacts excavated in 1975 from the Sangpingtai tombs in Liuwan, Qinhai Province, China, include a painted Neolithic pottery piece dating back 4,000 to 5,000 years. This pottery features an image of a figure with drooping eyelids and a rounded mouth, resembling a turtle as it breathes. The figure’s hands rest on the lower abdomen and legs are in a horse stance, symbolizing the concept of “turtle taking Qi,” a foundational aspect of Turtle Qigong.
While Turtle Qigong is less widely recognised as a distinct style than some other forms of Qigong, it draws upon broader Daoist and traditional Chinese medicine principles that emphasise health and longevity. Its emphasis on steadiness through breath and mindful movement reflects the symbolic qualities long associated with the turtle.
One recognised representative of a Turtle Qigong lineage is Master Wang Zhezhong, the nineteenth-generation lineage holder of Wang Family Turtle Longevity Qigong, who has helped preserve and teach this traditional system of health cultivation and breathing practice.
Contemporary teachers such as Master Vivien Chao have also introduced Turtle Qigong to wider audiences through practices including Turtle Walk Qigong. Turtle-inspired forms continue to be taught within broader Daoist traditions, including Wudang Five Animal and Tai Yi systems, where they express the qualities of steadiness, balance, and longevity.
The “Jade Pendant Inscription on Qigong,” dating to around 380 BC during the early Warring States period, outlines training methods and theoretical concepts of Qigong. It describes the flow of Qi in forty-five characters: “In promoting and conducting Qi, depth leads to storage, storage to extension, extension to descent, descent to stability, stability to solidity, solidity to germination, germination to growth, growth to retreat, and retreat elevates to heaven. Heavenly Qi flows from above, and Earthly Qi from below. Aligning with this process fosters vitality and wellness.” This inscription captures key principles of turtle breathing and Qi conduction.
Additionally, the “Yellow Emperor’s Canon on Internal Medicine” offers guidance for individuals with chronic kidney issues, advising them to face south from 3 AM to 5 AM, clear their minds, hold their breath for seven counts, and swallow the breath while tilting the neck, mimicking the consumption of hard objects. This guidance illustrates vital breathing techniques and Qi manipulation integral to Turtle Qigong.
