About Qi Work

Qi (pronounced “chee”) gong (気功) and gongfu (功夫) tea both originate from China and stem from shared principles of practice. Both relate to Qi, the vital energetic force which pervades all things and potentiates growth, change and movement. Both also relate to the concept of gong (功) – skill – in other words: cultivating Qi with skill, brewing tea with skill, connecting to the world around us with skill.

Qigong

Qigong is an ancient system of movement practice rooted in Daoist philosophy. The human body is viewed as intimately connected to the cycles of nature; the more aligned we are with the natural rhythms of life, the better our bodies work and the better our quality of life becomes.

There are countless exercises and forms. Some are more calisthenic and focus on stretching and strengthening the body. Others work more on the level of the “subtle-body” by promoting the flow of Qi through the energy-pathways of the body known as meridians.

Lee’s interest in Qigong focuses primarily on forms which support health, vitality and a feeling of connection to nature. Qigong also prepares the body in a very spontaneous way for tea-practice. By relaxing and opening the body first, the experience of drinking and sharing tea becomes richer, deeper and more profound.

Gongfu Tea

Gongfu tea originated in south China in the 18th century as a ritualistic and economical way to share tea. Since its inception, gongfu tea has expanded to encompass many different types of tea with myriad ways of brewing, pouring and sharing.

The beauty of the gongfu tea ritual is in its attention to detail. Cups, brewing vessels, water temperature and of course the tea itself can be adjusted to suit the mood and occasion. With each infusion, the taste profile of the tea shifts and changes so that the character and complexity of the tea gradually unfolds like an elegant and often surprising narrative.

In the gongfu style, we drink tea with our whole bodies – not just our taste buds. We appreciate the colour and fragrance of the brew, the texture of the tea in the mouth and the “body-feel” as we swallow the tea down and feel it become part of us. It can be both a profound act of meditation and simultaneously a simple way to enjoy a good cup with good company!