Qigong classes have begun at Niverville’s Community Resource and Recreation Centre (CRRC). Known as the Eight Pieces of Brocade qigong, the classes teach eight movements that are said to open and close the body, thus providing healing and building strength from the inside out.

These classes are led by Kelly Whelan-Enns, the founder and head instructor for a company called Legendary Living Arts (LLA). Whelan-Enns has more than 35 years of experience teaching and training in the martial arts, qigong, and meditation. He’s also been a yoga enthusiast since the age of four.

Whelan-Enns learned the basics of qigong when he was only 13 years old. He believes that the practice cured him of both his asthma and hypoglycemia.

After finding such success with qigong, Whelan-Enns decided to deepen his understanding of how and why the Eight Pieces of Brocade had worked so well for him and dove into extensive qigong and martial arts training.

Alongside his martial arts training and conditioning, Whelan-Enns now has more than 20 years studying the medical qigong system of Grandmaster Peng Jiu Ling.

“This system specializes in developing the meridians and sensitivity to qi flow inside and around the body,” explains Whelan-Enns. “[It’s] a rare method of training neuro-differentiation that accelerates and deepens the mind-body connection.”

Kellie Winzinowich is also part-owner and administrator for Legendary Living Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba and has spent more than 30 years as a coach for elite gymnasts as well as for preschool, recreational, and adult athletes.

Winzinowich also spent many years as a learning facilitator/coach developer with the National Coaching Certification Program and as an instructor in the kinesiology department at the University of Manitoba.

In addition to her many years of physical training, Kellie has been practicing and studying internal alchemy for over two decades and holds certification in naturopathy and spiritual coaching.

Whelan-Enns and Winzinowich met at a fundraiser more than a decade ago and quickly discovered a mutual appreciation for exercise and its benefits. Winzinowich became intrigued by qigong as she’d been having trouble maintaining a fitness regimen due to injuries related to birthing her four children.

“After discovering how the qigong set helped Kelly with his personal health and why he chose to teach, I began taking Kelly’s classes,” says Winzinowich. “The Eight Pieces of Brocade helped me immensely by connecting the physical with my emotional state, and led to healing on a deeper level.”

A few years ago, the pair joined together to create Legendary Living Arts in hopes of bringing Whelan-Enns’ classes to a larger audience. Winzinowich and Whelan-Enns say they are excited to teach at the CRRC and are planning to move to the area in the near future.

LLA’s qigong classes are open to everyone and no experience is necessary. The qigong set can be done while standing or while sitting in a chair.

“Participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies and perform the movements to the best of their abilities,” says Winzinowich. “In the new year, we will be adding Tai Chi Power flow to the mix. We will warm up with the Eight Pieces of Brocade Qigong set and move into Tai Chi Power Flow movements. The circular and spiral engagement of the exercises are designed to strengthen the core, muscles, fascia, and joints while gently massaging the organs as the nervous system relaxes.”

Currently, qigong class runs Tuesday evenings until November 28. In the new year, classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30–7:30 p.m.