Lisa B. O'Shea

Certified Qi Gong Therapist and Instructor
Founder of the Qi Gong Institute of Rochester

I grew up with a very western attitude about science and medicine. My father was a surgeon in a Boston suburb and both his parents were physicians as well. My grandmother was a pediatrician and my grandfather was a family doctor. I was very drawn to the fields of science and math and went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1986. I worked for a couple of big companies, Kimberly Clark and then Mobil Chemical.

I felt a need for change beginning to grow. I received certification in Reiki and Hypnotherapy in 1988 and decided to branch out and get a teaching degree. I began the New York State teachers certification program at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY in 1992. Meanwhile, to reduce my stress level I began taking a local Tai Chi/Qi Gong class. Six months later my asthma had completely disappeared. This got my attention. My western medical mindset had really kept me from considering alternative therapies for asthma. Although I had done the Reiki and Hypnosis work, I had never found a way to integrate them into my busy lifestyle. Going to a weekly Tai Chi class made all the difference.

I began to study Qi Gong and Traditional Chinese Medicine in earnest after that. In 1995 I became a Certified Qi Gong Therapist through the Chinese Healing Arts Center with Master T.K. Shih. By the time I finished my student teaching and got my NY State teachers certificate in Chemistry and Physics I had a modest private practice going as well as a few Qi Gong and Tai Chi classes. Before getting a high school teaching job I thought I would give my new business a chance. I continued my studies with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming in Boston in 1997 and later received teacher certification in Qi Gong through his school, YMAA. My private practice and roster of classes was thriving and I never looked back. My only connection to the world of science and engineering now is reading Scientific American and doing home repairs.

In 1998 I created the Qi Gong Institute of Rochester, through which I offer a variety of classes in Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Qi Healing, Meditation, and Nutrition as well as certification in Qi Gong Therapy.

I have continued progressing in the field of Qi Gong, creating my own Qi Gong form called Rising Lotus Medical Qi Gong. This healing form incorporates fluid spinal movements with visualization and breathing to clear out blockages and improve wellness. In 2002 I began studying with Master Hong Liu in Los Angeles, CA, learning some very powerful meditations and healers techniques. In 2007 I received Instructor Certification for Shiba Luohan Gong with Dr. Jay Dunbar at his Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School in Chapel Hill, NC. This is a wonderfully dynamic style of Qi Gong incorporating muscle strengthening as well as yoga-like stretching. Most recently, I received Approved Provider status (#451188-09) from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) and am now authorized to offer continuing education hours for my weekend seminars.

Qi Gong and Tai Chi have been a life changing process for me. I had a teacher once tell me, "If you like everything in your life the way it is, don't do Qi Gong or Tai Chi because it changes everything." I would have to agree.

Karen Kohl

Certified Qi Gong Therapist
Licensed Massage Therapist
Assistant Instructor

Karen Kohl has been studying and practicing various healing energy arts since 1998 and is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist. She also holds an MBA from the University of Rochester. Karen began studying under Lisa O’Shea in 1998 and completed her certification in Qi Gong Therapy at the Qi Gong Institute of Rochester. Karen organized the first World Healing Day in Rochester, NY (National Celebration of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day) in April 2002 and the event presently resides as an annual event at Clifton Springs Hospital (Clifton Springs, NY). She teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong throughout the Rochester area including; the University of Rochester, Monroe Community Hospital, and the YMCA. Karen also holds a Reiki III master certification and continues to pursue learning opportunities of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Native American lineage including; meditation, body talk, Shiba Luohan Gong, drum circles, sweat lodges, journeying, mantras and herbology.

Karen is available for weekend and evening appointments for Qi Gong Therapy sessions as well as massage.
Contact: (585) 355-9602 ~ Email: frogtaichi@aim.com~ www.KarenKohl.com

Karen will be teaching a two week class, "Qi Gong for Self-Care", on Saturdays at 10:00 am June 13 and June 20, 2009

Greg Michels

Assistant Instructor

I began my study of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with some wariness having been raised and educated with a strong engineering background. However, years of failure to find a cure for debilitating migraine headaches were a blessing in disguise as they forced me to set my internal skeptic on a shelf and to let go of searching for a cure that was concrete, well-defined, and measureable. While a life plagued by frequent migraines has been a distant memory for some time now, I continue my study of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to continue developing my health.

I studied mechanical engineering at the University of Rochester and was heavily involved in teaching assistantships. Here I found great enjoyment in teaching eager students and discovered that teaching greatly improved my own depth of understanding. Since graduating in 1993 I have made a living as a mechanical engineer. After working at Eastman Kodak Company for five years I co-founded a small engineering consulting firm and have enjoyed the freedom of decision making that comes with running a small business. I have also continued teaching through involvement in the short-courses that our company offers to our customers and professional conferences and providing technical support for a software product we develop.

I began teaching Tai Chi at the Qi Gong Institute of Rochester in Sept. 2008 and most recently started teaching for the St. John's Senior Community staff. Through teaching Tai Chi I hope to bring to other students the benefits of self-healing that have made profound improvements in my life.
Contact: (585) 247-3961 ~ Email: michels@rochester.rr.com

Greg will be teaching the 7:15 pm session of the
Tai Chi (24 Form)/Qi Gong for Health and Balance
on Wednesday evenings.

He also offers a practice group session on alternating Monday
evenings for those who have completed this course.

Qi Gong Institute of Rochester 595 Blossom Road, Suite 307 Rochester, NY 14610	Toll Free: 877.346.4017 Phone: 585.377.2044

Email: lisachi@frontiernet.net