Mark Frighetti, Qigong Teacher/Practitioner, became interested in qigong in 1998. He met Grandmaster Mingtang Xu, the Zhong Yuan Qigong lineage holder, in 2002, and started a journey following his teachings through higher levels of ZY Qigong and Image Therapy. Frighetti is a personal student of Grandmaster XU since 2005 and he served as Vice President on the ZY Qigong North America nonprofit board of directors. He has been teaching since 2005. Frighetti teaches ZY qigong at Harmony Hut from 7 to 8:30 p.m., every Thursday.

Qigong is a lifetime practice that teaches one to connect and feel all the life force energy that surrounds us. The simple and slow movements direct this ocean of qi inwardly, as our mind’s own awareness guides it. Open the energy body to embrace the physical body and return it to a healthy and balanced state.

Breath is the gift of life. There are many different forms of breathing that have been developed. In qigong, it’s usually done through the nose, breathing deep into the belly, feeling it rise as we inhale and fall as we exhale. “The breathing techniques are all designed to bring the energy life force into our bodies to help us move into a different state,” explains Frighetti. “As you practice qigong, you may reach a point where breath may actually interfere with you going deeper. Body breathing, a level two exercise, teaches the body to bring in qi and oxygen. It’s very important in energizing and oxygenating the cells within us.”

Location of classes: Harmony Hut, 2467 N. Treat Ave., Tucson. For more information, call 520-404-8745, email [email protected] or visit Meetup.com/Tucson-ZY-Qigong-Meetup.