Moving meditation for
a body that won't switch off
An hour of soft, flowing, breath-led movement, open to first-timers and long-standing practitioners in the same room. Nothing to buy, nothing to keep up with. Most people find their breathing drops lower within the first ten minutes.
If the phrase "vital energy" makes you slightly uneasy — come anyway. You do not have to believe anything for this to work on you.
Qigong (say it "chee-gong") is simple movement joined to slow breathing. Arms rise, weight shifts, the breath lengthens, and the same handful of shapes repeat until your attention stops wandering. That's the whole mechanism. It is often called moving meditation, which is accurate and less mystical than it sounds.
The people who come on a Wednesday are mostly ordinary Colchester people who sit too much, sleep badly, or have been told to keep moving without doing anything that jars. Some arrive from desks. Some are managing long-term conditions. Some tried meditation, couldn't sit still, and found that moving while doing it was the missing piece.
The Wednesday room is a mixed one. Some people have been practising this form with Elise for years and come for the depth of it — the same movements, gone further into. Others walked in for the first time last week. The form absorbs both: newcomers follow the shape, and those who know it work on what's underneath. Nobody is held back and nobody is left behind.
You don't need to be flexible, fit, or serene to start. You need an hour and clothes you can move in. And if you've been coming for years, you already know the rest.
Elise Johnson
Elise learnt this form at source. During her acupuncture clinic training at Guangzhou University Hospital in 1988, she studied Qigong with Master Chen Yan Feng, in the particular form known as Prenatal Energy Qigong — one of some 36,000 recognised forms.
She brought it back to England, and as a founder member of the Shiatsu College London she taught the form to its main teachers, from where it has circulated through the UK ever since.
"Without doubt, this has enhanced my own health and wellbeing immensely over the years. It is one of the best disciplines I learnt in China."
Decades of teaching later — health clubs, village halls, private sessions — she now teaches it here on Wednesdays. Her emphasis is breath, ease and repetition rather than performance: the class moves at the pace of the room.
Why slow, breath-led movement works
Qigong sits within Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been practised for centuries as a system of self-care. What people most often report is unglamorous and practical: steadier balance, looser joints, and an easier evening afterwards.
Calmer, steadier breathing
Slow movement paired to a long breath supports the body's rest-and-recover state. This is why it suits people carrying long-running stress or broken sleep.
Balance, mobility, circulation
Flowing weight transfer and open, unforced range of movement support joint mobility and posture over time — with no impact on knees or hips.
Grounded energy
People describe leaving with more in the tank rather than less. Regular practitioners report clearer thinking and steadier energy through the day.
Qigong supports general wellbeing and mobility. It is not a treatment for any medical condition — if you have a health concern, please speak to your GP.
What people say
"Absolutely AMAZING! I can't say enough great things about Elise. She's a truly gifted teacher and healer. I had back surgery a year and a half ago, and have had some residual problems and limitations. With her strong knowledge base and years of experience, Elise has been tremendously helpful to me. She is thorough, gentle, intuitive, caring and talented."
— Dr Bonnie BergChiropractor, USA"I am so pleased that I discovered Elise and Qi Gong. During lockdown it has really kept me grounded and has actually helped me with some health issues. I definitely want to continue doing it. Elise is brilliant!"
— MenaCardiff, Wales"I wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the Qi Gong classes. I particularly enjoy the holistic approach to exercise using rhythmical movements, breathing techniques and meditation. This enhances my physical and mental well-being."
— Mary-Anne"Doing Qi Gong with Elise is a unique, truly uplifting and gently energising experience."
— RosieCastellon de la Plana, SpainBook your Wednesday
No membership, no joining fee, no minimum commitment. Book the Wednesdays you can make and leave the ones you can't.
New to the class? Your first one is half price — enter the code QIGONG1ST at checkout and it comes down to £5.
Coming regularly? The 6-class package works out at £8 a class — buy once and book your Wednesdays as they come.
Questions first? Email admin@dhammacentre.com — we'd rather answer them than have you not come.
Concessions available on request — just drop us a line.
All classes are booked in advance. Takes about a minute. The first-class discount applies once per person. Credit-only refunds within 7 days — see our Refunds Policy.
Before your first class
Do I need to book in advance?
What should I wear and bring?
- Loose, comfortable clothing you can move in — no special kit needed
- Flat, flexible shoes or clean indoor trainers. Socks are fine if the floor suits you
- A water bottle
- Nothing else. There are no mats, props or equipment to buy
Do I need to be flexible or fit?
I have a health condition or an injury
I've been coming a while — is there anything new for me?
Where exactly are you, and is there parking?
Can I afford it if money is tight?
One hour, once a week
Whether it's your first Wednesday or your fiftieth, the door is the same one and the form is waiting. Come and let your breathing do the deciding.
Book your first Qigong class