Introduction to Qigong & Tai Chi for Self Care
Mary Pinkard, M. Ed., NQA Professional Level II

January 19, 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Qigong & Tai Chi for Self Care for professionals working in addictions counseling. A brief overview of these ancient practices of moving meditation as another option for help in prevention of compassion fatigue.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Define the history of Qigong & Tai Chi
• Learn about the varied Schools & Practices of Qigong & Tai Chi
• Understand why Qigong & Tai Chi are helpful for professionals in preventing compassion fatigue
• Participate in an active practice / demonstration of Qigong & Tai Chi to experience & discover how these moving meditations affect them

PRESENTER

Mary Pinkard, M. Ed., NQA Professional Level II, has expertise in multiple wellness domains, with her primary areas of focus being the practices of qigong and feng shui. She places a particular emphasis on the energy within us and all around us, helping to teach how we can maximize it for our individual health and wellness.

Mrs. Pinkard has studied qigong under several masters and experts, including Kevin Chen at the University of Maryland, as well as Daisy Lee, Robert Peng, David Dorian Ross, and Lee Holden, all of whom are advanced certified qigong instructors. She is a Level II Certified Qigong instructor as conferred by the National Qigong Association (NQA). In addition, she has done extensive study in the field of feng shui. Mrs. Pinkard holds a BA from Skidmore College and a M.Ed. from Towson University. Music and education are fundamental to her work in both feng shui and qigong. Mrs. Pinkard maintains her professional affiliations with the American Aerobics and Fitness Association, the National Qigong Association, and the American Dowser Association.

Mrs. Pinkard currently teaches a regular qigong curriculum in person at several locations as well online classes via Zoom. She has done numerous presentations of the wellness benefits qigong and feng shui to a variety of organizations, including McDaniel College, University of Maryland Medical School, GBMC, the Tuerk Conference on Addiction, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Anne Arundel County Social Services, Hopewell Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Walter Reed Hospital, Irvine Nature Center, the Association of Nature Center Administrators, and The NOVA Institute.

Mrs. Pinkard is married with two adult daughters, and can often be found spending time enjoying the outdoors on their small farm with their menagerie of dogs and cats.