BREATHE. MOVE. RETURN TO CENTER.
Qigong Classes
in Asheville
Explore two welcoming approaches to traditional Qigong at Dragon Phoenix.
Through gentle movement, natural breathing, meditation, and attentive practice, Qigong can help you feel more grounded, mobile, relaxed, and connected to your body.
Choose the inward, lineage-based practice of Yin Yang Qigong or explore seasonal exercises for sustainable health and vitality in Qigong for Health and Resilience.
Both classes are welcoming to beginners, adaptable to different bodies and experience levels, and available through our flexible Drop-In Program.
Yin Yang Qigong
Mondays · 10:00–11:00 AM
with Truth-I
Qigong for Health and Resilience
Tuesdays · 8:30–9:30 AM
with Dale Kent
TWO APPROACHES. ONE SHARED PRACTICE.
Find the Qigong Class That Speaks to You
Qigong can be practiced in many ways. At Dragon Phoenix, our two classes offer different paths into this rich tradition—one centered on lineage practices, internal balance, and meditation, and the other on accessible seasonal practices for lifelong health and resilience.
You do not need any previous Qigong experience to begin. Explore the two classes below and choose the approach that feels right for you.
MOVEMENT, BREATH, AND AWARENESS
What Is Qigong?
Qigong—pronounced “chee-gong”—is a broad family of traditional Chinese practices that bring together gentle movement, natural breathing, stillness, and focused awareness.
Rather than pushing the body to perform, Qigong invites you to slow down, release unnecessary tension, and listen more carefully to how you move and feel. Some practices are quiet and meditative. Others are flowing, expressive, or gently energizing.
At Dragon Phoenix, Qigong is taught as a living practice that can adapt to different bodies, abilities, and stages of life. You do not need to be flexible, athletic, or familiar with Chinese philosophy to participate.
What Might You Experience?
Greater Ease - Move comfortably through gentle, repeatable exercises that can support mobility, coordination, and a more relaxed use of the body.
A Quieter Mind - Let movement and breathing give your attention a place to settle, creating space away from the demands of everyday life.
Renewed Vitality - Practice in a way that can feel both restorative and energizing, helping you reconnect with your natural steadiness and resilience.
There is no single sensation you are expected to achieve. Your experience may change from one class to the next, and the deeper value of Qigong often reveals itself gradually through consistent practice.
Yin Yang Qigong with Truth-I
Yin Yang Qigong is a lineage-based practice for those who want to slow down, settle inward, and cultivate greater balance through accessible movement and meditation.
Truth-I guides students in practices that bring Yin and Yang into a more harmonious relationship. Rather than forcing the body or pursuing a particular sensation, you are invited to return to your center, become more present within yourself, and allow strength and relaxation to develop together.
Simple on the Outside. Profound Within.
The movements are gentle, approachable, and easily modified for different bodies, abilities, and levels of experience. Beneath their simplicity is an opportunity to explore the relationship between the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of practice.
Truth-I presents Qigong as a way to feel more grounded in the body while cultivating a sense of being strong, relaxed, regulated, and energized.
Movement and Meditation
Alongside movement practices, the class includes simple but profound lineage-based meditations. Truth-I describes these meditations as being centered on “becoming the Third Treasure”—an inward process that can reveal deeper meaning gradually through continued practice.
You do not need to understand Qigong philosophy before attending. Beginners are welcome to enter the practice exactly where they are, experience it directly, and allow their understanding to unfold over time.
Mondays · 10:00–11:00 AM
Taught by Truth-I
Beginners welcome · Movements can be adapted
MOVE WITH THE SEASONS. CULTIVATE RESILIENCE.
Qigong for Health and Resilience with Dale Kent
Qigong for Health and Resilience offers an accessible way to care for your body, calm your mind, and develop a practice that can grow with you throughout life.
Dale guides students through traditional Qigong exercises that gently stretch and strengthen the body while bringing natural breathing and conscious attention into each movement. The exercises are simple enough for beginners, yet they can become deeper and more challenging as your experience grows.
A Practice in Rhythm with Nature
The class changes with the seasons, drawing upon different movements to help students remain connected to the rhythms of the natural world.
Rather than following exactly the same sequence throughout the year, you will explore practices chosen for the needs and qualities of each season. This creates a varied, engaging experience while gradually building a collection of exercises you can return to in your own practice.
Explore a Rich Tradition
Depending on the season and focus of the class, students may explore exercises drawn from medical, martial, and spiritual Qigong traditions, including:
Eight Pieces of Brocade
Five Animal Sports
White Crane Qigong
Yang-style Tai Chi exercises
Through conscious movement and natural breathing, the class invites you to settle your attention into the body, gently loosen the joints and connective tissues, and cultivate greater ease, strength, flexibility, and resilience.
Gentle Enough to Begin. Deep Enough to Grow.
You are welcome to work at a comfortable level. Each movement can remain soft and restorative or be explored with greater depth as your strength, coordination, and understanding develop.
No previous Qigong or Tai Chi experience is necessary. Simply come prepared to move, breathe, and discover what the practice has to offer.
Tuesdays · 8:30–9:30 AM
Taught by Dale Kent
All levels · Beginners welcome
TWO WELCOMING WAYS TO BEGIN
Which Qigong Class Is Right for Me?
Both classes welcome beginners and combine gentle movement, natural breathing, and attentive practice. The best place to begin is the class whose approach—and schedule—most naturally fits you.
Yin Yang Qigong May Speak to You If…
You are drawn to an inward, reflective practice.
You would like to explore both movement and meditation.
You are interested in traditional lineage-based methods.
You want to cultivate a greater sense of balance and return to center.
Monday mornings work well for your schedule.
Mondays · 10:00–11:00 AM · with Truth-I
Qigong for Health and Resilience May Speak to You If…
You enjoy variety and learning practices that change with the seasons.
You want gentle exercises that can gradually develop strength, flexibility, and coordination.
You are interested in exploring several traditional Qigong approaches.
You want to build a practical, sustainable practice for lifelong wellbeing.
Tuesday mornings work well for your schedule.
Tuesdays · 8:30–9:30 AM · with Dale Kent
You Are Welcome in Both
You do not have to make a permanent choice. The two classes complement one another, and you may attend either—or explore both—to discover what best supports you.
Every student brings a different body, history, and reason for practicing. There is no wrong place to begin.
EXPERIENCED GUIDANCE. WELCOMING PRACTICE.
Meet Your Qigong Instructors
Truth-I and Dale Kent offer two distinct approaches to Qigong, united by thoughtful instruction, adaptable practice, and respect for every student’s individual path.
Truth-I
Yin Yang Qigong
Truth-I teaches an adaptable, lineage-based practice that brings together standing meditation, gentle stretching, strengthening, balance work, and traditional Qigong forms.
Through calm, attentive guidance, students are encouraged to explore movement from the inside out—developing greater awareness of the body while discovering how relaxation, strength, breath, and focused attention can work together.
Movements can be modified for different bodies and experience levels, allowing beginners to enter the practice comfortably while giving returning students room for continued discovery and deeper study.
Dale Kent
Qigong for Health and Resilience
Dale began practicing Qigong in 1997 while living in a Zen Buddhist monastery. He has studied consistently since 2007 with teachers from several Qigong and Tai Chi traditions and brings approximately 17 years of teaching experience to his classes. Dale is also an ordained Zen Buddhist priest.
His relaxed and encouraging teaching style helps students explore gentle, adaptable movements while developing greater body awareness, mobility, and grounded attention. He encourages students to build a sustainable personal practice they can carry into everyday life.
Dale draws from a range of traditional practices, including the Eight Pieces of Brocade, Five Animal Sports, White Crane Qigong, and Yang-style Tai Chi.
COME AS YOU ARE
What to Expect at Your First Qigong Class
Beginning Qigong does not require flexibility, athletic ability, or previous experience. You are welcome to arrive exactly as you are and learn by gently following along.
Each teacher brings a different approach to class, but both create a relaxed environment where you can explore the movements without pressure to perform them perfectly.
Before Class
Please arrive about 10 minutes early so you have time to settle in and meet your instructor. If you have an injury, physical limitation, balance concern, or movement that causes discomfort, let your teacher know before class begins.
During Class
Your instructor will guide you through the movements one step at a time. A class may include:
Gentle stretching and loosening exercises
Coordinated movement and natural breathing
Standing or flowing Qigong practices
Moments of stillness or quiet attention
Guided meditation or inward awareness
You do not need to memorize everything during your first visit. Simply follow as comfortably as you can and allow yourself to experience the practice.
Move at Your Own Pace
Qigong should not feel like a competition. You are encouraged to make movements smaller, rest when needed, and work within a comfortable range.
The practices can be adapted for different bodies and levels of experience. If you are unsure how to modify something, your instructor will be happy to help.
What Should I Wear?
Wear loose or comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. No uniform or special equipment is required.
Flat, comfortable indoor shoes are recommended. You may also want to bring a bottle of water.
There Is Nothing to Prove
Some students notice an immediate sense of calm or renewed energy. For others, the experience is quieter and unfolds gradually.
There is no particular sensation you are expected to have and no perfect way your first class needs to go. Come with curiosity, move comfortably, and give yourself time to discover the practice.
A SIMPLE WAY TO BEGIN
Choose Your Qigong Class
Both Qigong classes are part of the flexible Dragon Phoenix Drop-In Program. No ongoing membership or previous experience is required.
Yin Yang Qigong
Mondays · 10:00–11:00 AM
with Truth-I
A reflective, lineage-based practice combining gentle movement, internal awareness, and meditation.
Qigong for Health and Resilience
Tuesdays · 8:30–9:30 AM
with Dale Kent
An accessible, seasonally changing practice for cultivating mobility, vitality, and lifelong resilience.
Flexible Ways to Attend
Book One Class
$20 per class
Choose your class and date from the live schedule below. The booking system will charge the single-class rate when you complete your reservation.
You do not need to purchase a membership or pass before booking your first class.
Attend More Often
$180 flexible 10-class pass
Save $20 when you purchase ten classes together. The pass:
Does not expire
Works across participating Dragon Phoenix drop-in classes
May be shared within the same Gymdesk family account
Purchase the pass through Gymdesk, then return to the live schedule to reserve the classes you would like to attend.
Reserve Your Place
Select the Qigong class and date you would like to attend from the live schedule.
Advance booking is strongly recommended so you can confirm availability and view the most current schedule before coming to the school.
Already have an eligible class pass or Dragon Phoenix membership? Sign in when booking, and the system will apply your available access automatically.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOUR FIRST CLASS?
Qigong Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous Qigong or Tai Chi experience?
Not at all. Both classes welcome complete beginners. Your instructor will guide you through the practices, and you can begin by simply following along at a comfortable pace.
Which Qigong class should I choose?
Choose the class whose approach and schedule appeal to you most.
Yin Yang Qigong emphasizes lineage-based practices, internal balance, and meditation. Qigong for Health and Resilience explores a changing selection of seasonal exercises for sustainable wellbeing and vitality.
You are welcome to try both before deciding which class best suits you.
Can I attend both classes?
Yes. Each class offers a different but complementary approach to Qigong. You may book individual classes or use an eligible 10-class pass to attend both.
Can the movements be adapted for physical limitations?
Many Qigong movements can be made smaller, gentler, or otherwise adapted. Please tell your instructor about any injuries, balance concerns, or physical limitations before class.
If you require seated practice or a specific accommodation, contact us before attending so we can help determine which class will be the best fit.
Do I need to be flexible or physically fit?
No. Qigong is not about forcing the body into difficult positions. You will be encouraged to work within a comfortable range and allow your mobility, coordination, and body awareness to develop gradually.
What should I wear?
Wear loose or comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. No uniform or special equipment is required.
Clean, flat, comfortable indoor shoes are recommended. You may also want to bring a bottle of water.
Can I join at any time?
Yes. These are ongoing Drop-In Program classes, so you do not have to wait for a new session to begin. Choose an available class from the live schedule and reserve your place.
Do I need to attend every week?
No ongoing commitment is required. You may attend one class, come when your schedule allows, or practice regularly from week to week.
Consistent attendance can help the movements become more familiar and allow your experience of the practice to deepen over time.
How much does a class cost?
A single class is $20. You may book directly through the live schedule without purchasing a membership or pass first.
Students who plan to attend more often may purchase a $180 flexible 10-class pass. The pass does not expire, works across participating Dragon Phoenix drop-in classes, and may be shared within the same Gymdesk family account.
Is Qigong a religious practice?
No particular religious or spiritual belief is required. Qigong has deep roots in Chinese culture and has developed within health, martial, philosophical, and contemplative traditions.
At Dragon Phoenix, you are welcome to explore the movements, breathing practices, and meditations through your own experience and understanding.
Should I reserve my place in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended. Reserving through the live schedule confirms that space is available and allows you to see the most current class information before coming to the school.
MOVE GENTLY. BREATHE NATURALLY. BEGIN WHERE YOU ARE.
Begin Your Qigong Practice
You do not need to understand Qigong before taking your first class. You only need a little curiosity and a willingness to experience the practice for yourself.
Whether you are drawn to the inward balance and meditation of Yin Yang Qigong or the seasonal movement of Qigong for Health and Resilience, you will find a welcoming place to begin.
Come move, breathe, and give yourself an hour to return to what is steady within you.
Both classes welcome beginners.
Single class: $20 · No ongoing membership required
