ALIGNED AWARENESS
Qigong & Daoist Coaching
Josh Liebling
ABOUT ME
I would describe myself as a life-long learner. For the past 15+ years I've explored many different types of meditation modalities ranging from transcendental meditation and mantra meditation to mindfulness and breathwork. But it was in Qigong that I found a practice that enriched my life so much that I wanted to share its benefits with everyone around me. At the same time, I've explored a variety of coaching paradigms and created Daoist Coaching based on my training in Qigong and from The 3 Principle Teachings shared by Scottish-born philosopher Sydney Banks.
TIMELINE OF EXPLORATION
2013
2016
2018
I first discover Qigong while living in NYC and attending classes by Tina Zhang in Chinatown. I'm amazed how wonderful I feel after each class - filled with more vitality and relaxation. We practice a 3 Treasures sequence of movements that connects students with the energies of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. I really enjoy the standing posture, Embracing the Tree, which strengthens my legs and actually improves knee pain and discomfort. This begins my journey as I continue practicing this form on my own after the course finished.
After working with my coach, Diane Divone, for many years, I learned a lot about self-inquiry, looking at life through different perceptual lenses, and the power of exploring and noticing what lies beneath the surface of experience. So I decide to pursue my own training in coaching and become certified in an ICF accredited coaching program as a professional coach. I work with clients for a couple of years, but become frustrated in how change for them and myself became elusive. Little did I know that my continued passion for Qigong and thirst for learning would direct me on a new path that would illuminate the misunderstandings behind self-improvement and personal development.
I stumble upon a book by Dr. Amy Johnson, The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit. After reading the book and then working with Dr. Amy, my eyes open up to what I didn't realize was right in front of me. I discover change isn't something that needs to be forced through will power and continuing to try and better one self. It happens by default when we get out of our own way. It's within our own nature to transition and move through life with ease when we realize our experience is created through Mind, Consciousness, and Thought.
2019
After practicing the Qigong forms I learned years earlier, I decide to take another course to continue learning, this time through the Omega Institute with Qigong Master Robert Peng. He teaches a course revolving around what he called The Master Key, sharing practices that help enrich and enliven the vitality, love, and wisdom that's within us. I become so enthralled by these practices that I subsequently complete Master Peng's teaching certification so that I can share Qigong with the people in my life.
2020
2021
2023
2024
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the trajectory all our lives. During this time I continue my training in Qigong with Master Lee Holden. In following his system of Qigong, I uncover more nuances and ways of practicing and sharing different styles and forms of this beautiful moving meditative modality. I follow Lee's routines and honed my skills through practice and also exploring the many ways Qi flowed through my body and mind. It's as if the doorway continued to grow wider, opening up a new world that I can't wait to walk into.
The synergy between Qigong and coaching begins to coalesce together. I start working with a new 3 Principles based coach, Katja Symons, deepening what I originally learned with Dr. Amy Johnson. This leads to an apprenticeship, discussing and practicing the teachings of Scottish philosopher, Sydney Banks. Syd's lectures focused on sharing his own insights in order to spark the flame of understanding within listeners. Syd suggested not to blindly follow his teachings, but to let your own wisdom come alive and stay with the feeling. He emphasized the ability we all have to return to a quiet mind, become at peace with the natural flow of life, and how awareness and thought shape and create our experience. I find it fascinating how by genuinely giving myself back to the truth that there is nothing to fix in myself or others, a continual shift in consciousness, awareness, and understanding takes root, and allows us to see a more accurate mirror of who we are.
I continue training with Master Lee Holden and after a few years complete the rigorous Holden Qigong certification program. The Holden Qigong system incorporates flows and movements centered around The 5 Elements, The 3 Treasures, Swimming Dragon, and Microcosmic Orbit. Not only do I learn how to best teach and instruct powerful Qigong movements and techniques, but my own practice expands as I feel fully immersed and confident in the capacity for Qigong to change the lives of my students.
Simultaneously, I continue my coaching training in The 3 Principles now with Michael Neill, an internationally renowned transformative coach, teacher, author, and speaker. I complete his Genius Catalyst Certification Program which focuses on embodying the role of being an Impact Catalyst, sparking clients' own innate intelligence to live a live with more resiliency, ease, and flow.
I combine my skills and expertise to create my own system that integrates Qigong and coaching (Daoist Coaching). There are many ways to harmonize and align, and through body, mind, and spirit practices and explorations we're able to transform and open up ourselves to what's always been present - a life filled with robust vitality, open hearts, and the wisdom to allow the inherent flow of life to lift our sails, follow our path, with confidence, humor, play, curiosity, excitement, and simplicity.
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
QIGONG
(2019) The Master Key - Elixir Light Qigong Ceritification with Master Robert Peng
(2023) Holden Qigong Certification with Master Lee Holden
COACHING
(2016) Leadership That Works - Coaching for Transformation Certification
(2023) Apprenticeship with 3 Principles Practitioner Katja Symons
(2023) Impact Catalyst Certification Program with Michael Neill
