Riding the Golden Wave Presenters
We are proud to present our talented and accomplished presenters, luminaries in the Tai Chi and Qigong world! Spend the day with them on Sunday, May 4 and gain the benefit of their years and years of wisdom gleaned from diligent study and practice. See Workshop descriptions below.
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Violet Li
Easy FLow
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Kathryn Davis
The Healing Potential of Qigong
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![Woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top and necklace, smiling at the camera against a white background.]()
Marisa Cranfill
The Empowered Lotus Qigong Flow
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![A person practicing tai chi outdoors in a grassy field with mountains in the background, wearing a pink outfit, at sunset.]()
Catharina Costanzo
Flow & Strength - The Fluid Power of Tai Ji
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![Person smiling, seated in front of a peach-colored wall, with red and orange cushions, wearing a white off-shoulder top and a colorful skirt.]()
Gillian Reid
The Six Healing Sounds
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![Portrait of a smiling woman with black hair and wearing a light blue top, against a dark background.]()
Shirley Ha Chock
Iron Wrapped in Cotton: Effortless Power Emerges From Solid Structure
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Max Dashu
Founder, The Suppressed Histories Archives. Bonus Material
The Empowered Lotus Qigong Flow
with Marisa Cranfill
12 - 12:45pm
The focus is Cultivating self-love, clearing the heart, opening the golden wave of through the spine, activating the three dantian, and transforming energy to awaken true potential, embodying the compassion of the Goddess Guan Yin.
In this transformative session, participants will engage in a Qigong flow designed to cultivate self-compassion and empowerment. The practice emphasizes spinal flexibility and the activation of the three dantian—the body's primary energy centers. Throughout the flow, participants will embody the compassion of Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy. The session culminates with the "Lotus Grows from the Mud" sequence, symbolizing the lotus's journey from the depths to full bloom, encouraging individuals to rise above challenges and awaken their true nature This journey mirrors the essence of "Riding the Golden Wave," guiding women to harmonize with life's energy currents and embrace their inner radiance.
Marisa Cranfill founded YOQI® Yoga + Qigong, integrating yoga and Qigong into a unique transformative practices. Inspired by Asian travels, she studied in China and Thailand for 25+ years, learning from Qigong masters and spiritual teachers. A certified instructor and yoga teacher, she's known for her accessible, light-hearted teaching style. Marisa teaches globally and created the top-rated popular Qigong YouTube channel, making energy cultivation practices available worldwide. Visit Marisa at https://www.yoqi.com/marisa-cranfill
Easy Flow
with Violet Li
1:00 - 1:45pm
Inspired by the stunning mountains and waters of Tolantongo, Mexico, Master Violet Li designed this graceful form, blending the most revered Tai Chi and Qigong movements. Following the principle of the Five Elements, the entire form consists of eight major movements incorporating key Qigong techniques: Tu Na (breathing), Dao Yin (external movements), Qian Yin (stretching), and Ming Xiang (imagination). It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and suitable for all ages.
Master Violet Li, a 12th Generation Chen Style Tai Chi Inheritor under Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and seasoned Qigong instructor, has taught more than 10,000 people worldwide both in person and online. She has written more than 700 articles on the healing art of Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and wellness, mostly in English and some in Chinese and won awards for her unbiased reporting. Many of her articles were translated into foreign languages and shared by tens of thousands globally. Master Li is known as a teacher’s teacher because she has trained and certified many to teach Tai Chi and Qigong. She has been spotlighted and featured by mainstream media, like NBC, CBS, and National Public Radio as well as the media in the global healing art community. Master Li has taught and performed the healing art to universities, hospitals, large corporations, health institutes, gyms, museum and senior centers in many US cities as well as overseas.
Flow &Strength, The Fluid Power of Tai Ji
with Catharina Costanzo
2:oo - 2:45pm
We will explore the dynamic balance of Yin and Yang through Tai Ji movement.
Experience a flowing sequence in two distinct ways—first in a soft, gentle Yin approach to deepen connection and sensitivity, then in a powerful, grounded Yang expression with lower stances to build strength and stability.
This session offers a harmonizing blend of fluidity and force, helping you cultivate inner balance, vitality, and a deeper understanding of Tai Ji’s dual energies.
Catharina Costanzo is a dedicated instructor of Wudang internal arts, Qi Flows, and Form Energetics, trained in China's temples and mountains. She embodies the essence of these arts beyond mere form, blending ancient principles with modern fluidity. Her teaching style, a mix of precision and creative expression, guides students towards balance, vitality, and deep connection. She transmits harmony and adaptability, reflecting the cosmic flow inherent in movement. Visit me and find out more at https://www.nishmaflow.com/
Iron Wrapped in Cotton:
Effortless Power Emerges From Solid Structure
with Shirley Ha Chock
3:00 - 3:45pm
Shirley Ha Chock, “The Stressbender," is co-founder of Tai Chi United, established in 2025, showcasing Tai Chi as "sacred geometry in motion". A 2006 US Wushu champion, she now trains in Tai Chi combat. With an economics degree from the University of Chicago, she transitioned from finance to take over her previous master's Tai Chi school, growing the brand online, leveraging YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Her unique perspective, linking internal martial arts to finance success, earned her the "Stressbender" title. Featured in outlets like Business Insider and the New York Times, she's a prominent figure in the internal martial arts community. https://www.youtube.com/@TaiChiUnited
Tai Chi is often seen as a soft, flowing art, but the power of Tai Chi comes from a balance of both Yin and Yang.
In this empowering session, Shirley Ha Chock reveals how women can embrace their Yang side to enhance strength, structure, and power in their practice.
Exploring the ancient concept of "iron wrapped in cotton," Shirley will guide participants in understanding body structural alignment so your skeleton becomes a strong frame that allows your muscles to relax and your energy to flow so you can emit your full power.
The Healing Potential of Qigong
with Kathryn Davis
4:00 - 4:45pm
This Healing Potential of Qigong includes a short talk and demonstrations of practical Qigong exercises that can be integrated into a daily routine with ease. Soaring Crane Qigong's routines repair, regenerate, and reignite your life force, strengthening body, mind, and spirit. Activate self-healing and dissolve stagnant energies. Align with cosmic and earthly forces to discover your true self. Integrate your being, nurture your life, and manifest a natural evolution through the Dao. This practice empowers you to release disease-perpetuating stagnation, fostering a harmonious connection with universal energies.
Kathryn Davis, a Qigong instructor with 30+ years of experience, founded Qigong Self Care™ and Kun Li Sheng™ Healing systems. She practices Medical Qigong, Reiki, and the Sandlin Technique. Certified in many different Qigong forms and healing techniques, she trained in Mainland China and holds certifications from OCOM, The Institute for Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, as well as other institutions. Davis also teaches Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Philosophy. She hosts "Heart of Mind Radio for the New Millenium" on WBAI Pacifica Radio and PRN.live. For details, visit daoqigonglife.com
The 6 Healing Sounds
with Gillian Reid
5:00 - 5:45pm
Comprehend the language of the 5 major organs and cultivate a method to detox negative emotions and toxins to create emotional inner harmony.
In 1981, Master Mantak Chia, a revered Taoist teacher, began teaching the "Six Healing Sounds" to his students in the West. This powerful meditation practice that harmonizes and revitalizes the body's vital organs is now one of the most popular qigong sets practiced worldwide. Each sound corresponds to one of the five major organs: liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, with an additional sound for the triple warmer: the 3 major cavities in our body that contain the organs. By practicing these sounds, one can release accumulated stress and negativity, promoting physical and emotional well-being. The method integrates breathwork, visualization, and sound to detoxify the body and balance the mind.
Immersed in holistic wellness from childhood, Gillian Reid dedicated herself to Qigong and Taijiquan, recognizing their transformative power. Masters Franco Mescola, Mantak Chia, and Yang Jwing Ming shaped her understanding, especially in regard to inner alchemy. Her teaching focuses on this ancient practice, guiding students to refine energies for balance and enlightenment, benefiting physical and mental well-being. More details are available at https://bio.site/Biotaolife.
Bonus Material!
Enjoy very special Bonus materials when you register for the May 4th event:
2 Video Presentations from Suppressed Histories Archive Founder, Max Dashu!
The Wu: Spirit Priestesses of China
Taoist Adepts and Immortals
