Choosing a Qi Gong Instructor: Key Questions to Ask
Finding the right Qi Gong instructor can feel a bit like dating.
The wrong match leaves you tense, confused or even put off the practice.
The right one helps you feel safe, relaxed and gently challenged at the same time.
This article will walk you through what to look for in a teacher, the red flags to avoid, and the exact questions you can ask before you commit. We’ll also look at how to choose between online and in-person classes, and where evidence and safety fit in.
Membership options: three simple ways to learn with me
If you’d like to experience a grounded, Korean-style Qi Gong approach, you can practise with me through Bright Beings Academy:
Weekly guided practice in Live Online Qi Gong Classes.
A deeper energy map and structured journey in the Qi Gong and the Meridians Course.
Not ready for membership? Try the 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course first. It’s a low-commitment way to see if my style fits you.
Start with the basics: what is their style and background?
Before anything else, ask: “What kind of Qi Gong do you teach?”
Good instructors can explain their style in clear, everyday language. For example, I describe my work as Korean-style Qi Gong, focused on:
Lower-belly (Dahn Jon) breathing and grounding.
Rhythmic tapping to wake up energy and circulation.
Simple, repeatable movements that calm the brain.
It also helps to know how their tradition fits into the wider picture. You can get an overview from Qi Gong’s Evolution: Ancient Roots to Modern Wellness and compare with other arts in Korean Qi Gong vs Tai Chi: What’s the Difference? and Qi Gong vs Tai Chi vs Yoga: Compare the Benefits.
Questions to ask:
“Which tradition or school are you trained in?”
“How long have you been practising and teaching?”
“What drew you to this style personally?”
You’re not looking for perfection. You’re looking for someone who is honest, grounded and clear about where their practice comes from.
Safety and sensitivity: do they understand real bodies?
A good Qi Gong instructor doesn’t treat students like identical robots. They know you might be dealing with:
Chronic pain or fatigue.
High or low blood pressure.
Anxiety, trauma or burnout.
Pregnancy, menopause or major life change.
They should be happy to adapt movements and talk about safety. If your teacher avoids these topics or brushes off your concerns, that’s a warning sign.
To understand how Qi Gong is used with long-term conditions, you can explore:
Questions to ask:
“How do you adapt for pain, fatigue or mobility issues?”
“What do you recommend if I feel dizzy, breathless or overwhelmed in class?”
“Are you comfortable with students getting advice from their GP first?”
Their answers should make you feel calmer, not more pressured.
Membership options in the middle of your search
Once you’ve clarified what you need from a teacher, you might want to try a few sessions and see how it feels in practice. With me you can:
Drop into Live Online Qi Gong Classes and notice how your body and nervous system respond.
Explore energy pathways in more depth through the Qi Gong and the Meridians Course if you’re drawn to the meridian side of practice.
Or gently experiment at home with the 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course before deciding whether to join a membership.
How do they talk about evidence, health and limits?
You don’t need your instructor to be a scientist. But they should have a sensible, respectful attitude towards evidence and medical care.
Green flags:
They’re aware of research on mood, sleep, blood pressure and fatigue.
They present Qi Gong as support, not a cure-all.
They encourage you to keep working with your GP or specialist.
You can see the kind of balanced picture to look for in:
Red flags:
Promises to “cure” serious illness or replace treatment.
Pressure to stop medication or ignore medical advice.
Statements like, “You don’t need a doctor, you only need Qi Gong.”
Questions to ask:
“How do you see Qi Gong fitting alongside medical treatment?”
“What does the research say about Qi Gong for stress or chronic conditions?”
“What expectations do you think are realistic for students?”
You’ll learn as much from their tone as from their words.
Do you feel psychologically safe with them?
Your nervous system is always scanning for danger. In a Qi Gong class, “danger” might look like:
Being shamed for doing less.
Being pushed to move through pain.
Having your feelings or trauma dismissed.
A good instructor understands that emotional safety is just as important as physical safety. They:
Encourage you to listen to your body.
Offer options rather than commands.
Normalise rest, chairs and doing less on tough days.
If spiritual language is used, it should feel gentle and inclusive, not controlling. For a grounded approach that balances spirituality and practicality, you can explore Qi Gong’s Evolution: Ancient Roots to Modern Wellness and Qi Gong & Anxiety / Mood: 2020–2025 Evidence Overview.
Questions to ask:
“What do you expect from students in terms of effort and attendance?”
“How do you respond if someone needs to rest or sit down?”
“Are your classes suitable for people who are anxious, sensitive or recovering from stress?”
Trust your body’s response as you listen.
Online vs in-person: which Qi Gong instructor format suits you?
There’s no one “right” format. Both have pros and cons.
In-person instructors
Easier for hands-on demonstrations and fine-tuning posture.
A sense of group energy and community.
Sometimes less accessible if you have fatigue, illness or transport issues.
Online instructors
You can practise from home, hospital or a quiet room at work.
Easier to fit around family, shift work or low-energy days.
You can often turn your camera off until you feel more confident.
If you’re curious how online practice might feel, my Live Online Qi Gong Classes are designed to be welcoming for people who feel shy, sensitive or out of shape. And you can taste the style first with the 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course.
A final membership offer before you decide
Choosing a Qi Gong instructor is really about choosing a relationship. You deserve a teacher who respects your body, your boundaries and your journey.
If you feel drawn to explore with me, you can:
Join weekly Live Online Qi Gong Classes to experience the energy of a supportive group.
Dive deeper into the energy map of meridians with the Qi Gong and the Meridians Course.
Or simply begin with the low-commitment 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course and let your own body be your guide.
FAQs: Choosing a Qi Gong Instructor – Key Questions to Ask
What does “Choosing a Qi Gong Instructor: Key Questions to Ask” really mean?
It’s an invitation to move beyond, “Is there a class near me?” and ask, “Is this teacher right for my body, mind and life right now?”
The key questions help you explore:
Their training and style.
How they handle safety and evidence.
Whether they respect your limits and nervous system.
You can use this article alongside Medical Qi Gong: Evidence, Hype and Limits and Qi Gong for Chronic Conditions: Gentle Support if your health picture is complex.
What are the top three questions to ask a new Qi Gong instructor?
A simple starting trio:
“What style of Qi Gong do you teach, and why?”
“How do you adapt for different ages, fitness levels and health conditions?”
“How do you see Qi Gong working alongside medical care?”
Their answers will tell you a lot about their integrity, humility and realism.
How can I tell if a Qi Gong instructor is a bad fit for me?
Trust both your head and your gut. Warning signs include:
You feel rushed, shamed or compared to others.
They dismiss your questions about pain, fatigue or medication.
They make grand, guaranteed health claims.
You leave feeling more tense or unsafe than when you arrived.
If that happens, it’s absolutely okay to try someone else. You can also explore safer options online, such as Live Online Qi Gong Classes or the 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course.
Do I need a “master” level instructor, or is a newer teacher fine?
You don’t need a grand title. You need someone who:
Has solid personal practice.
Listens well and explains clearly.
Keeps you safe, encouraged and grounded.
A newer teacher with good support and humility can be better than a famous one with a big ego. If you’re curious where my own work sits in the wider picture, Qi Gong’s Evolution: Ancient Roots to Modern Wellness gives some context.
How can I “test” a Qi Gong instructor before committing to membership?
Look for low-pressure ways to try them out:
A trial live class or short block of sessions.
Free or low-cost online tasters.
Short on-demand programmes like the 21-Day Qi Gong for Beginners mini course.
As you experiment, ask yourself:
“Do I feel safer and softer after their sessions?”
“Do they respect my limits?”
“Does my body want to come back?”
Those answers matter more than any certificate.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
