WaQi for Chronic Pain & Spine™
Weekly Live Zoom Classes (Saturdays 10-11am ET) • Plus Class Recordings
A gentle, research-backed class for back and chronic pain
A live weekly Tai Chi and Qigong practice you can join from home, with every movement modifiable to your comfort.
When: Saturdays, 10–11am ET, live on Zoom
Where: From home; all you need is a screen and a little space
Taught by: Master Yang Yang, PhD
How to start: Try one month and see how it feels
For all levels: Seated options available; no experience needed
Is this class right for me?
The class is designed to be safe and adaptable for people living with back and chronic pain. Pain is different for everyone, so you're encouraged to modify in whatever way lets you keep practicing with the least discomfort. Every movement is demonstrated both seated and standing, so you can choose whichever feels better, and you can adjust how large or small your movements are and how many repetitions you do at any time. You're welcome to hold a stable chair or counter during standing work and to bring an aide with you. The class includes a short lying-down segment, which you can do on a sofa or bed, or stay seated if lying down isn't right for you. You can go entirely at your own pace. If your physician has cleared you to begin, you have everything you need to start.
Many participants also come for balance, better sleep, and stress relief, with or without pain, and we welcome those managing conditions such as Parkinson's.
How to start
We suggest trying one month to experience the class for yourself. There are two plans:
Monthly, $125/month. A simple way to begin and see how the practice feels. Includes the live Saturday class, the four most recent class recordings, and two core essential videos. If your physician gave you a referral code, enter it at checkout for 50% off your first month.
Six months, $599. This matches the amount of practice in our clinical trial, which led to significant improvements in pain, function, sleep, and quality of life. Includes everything in the monthly plan, plus additional core videos, bonus content, and a personal consultation with Master Yang.
The research behind it
Talk at Cornell's Spine Time → youtube.com/watch?v=gj0xVM8cUOw
Published back-pain study (North American Spine Society Journal, 2024) → waqi.health/back-pain-study
Other clinical studies (balance, anxiety, sleep, immune function, and cognition) → waqi.health/other-clinical-studies
About Master Yang Yang, PhD
Master Yang Yang, PhD, is a lineage-trained Chen Tai Chi master with more than 40 years of experience and a PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois. His research on Tai Chi and Qigong for chronic pain and healthy aging has been published in peer-reviewed journals and featured at Harvard Medical School. He is the author of Taijiquan: The Art of Nurturing, The Science of Power.
Questions?
For medical questions, please speak with your physician. For questions about the class itself (modifications, what to expect, or whether it's a fit), email Master Yang at yang@waqi.health.