Sifu Yolanda Kelly on Temazcal and Zhineng Qigong

Sifu Yolanda Kelly from Mexico City has a unique and inspiring journey into the healing art of Qigong. In a recent interview, she shared her path to Zhineng Qigong and the ancient Mexican practice of Temazcal.

More than two decades ago, Yolanda’s interest in healing practices was sparked by her daughter’s health challenges. This led her to explore geobiology, a relatively new field that studies the interactions between the Earth’s physical properties and the biosphere, intersecting with ecology, evolutionary biology, microbiology, paleontology, soil science, and biogeochemistry. Through her teacher, she was introduced to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism. As an architect, Yolanda found herself captivated by Taoism’s perspective on the elements of the universe and their impact on buildings and human constructs, known as Feng Shui in China. She also began to understand the interconnectedness of spaces surrounding and within us and how these spaces influence one another.

Her exploration eventually brought her to the Universal Healing Tao (UHT), a system of Qigong exercises developed by Grandmaster Mantak Chia from Thailand, based on Taoist principles. She embraced the healing aspects of the practice, studying first with a certified UHT instructor in Mexico City. Later, she traveled to New York to attend workshops with Mantak Chia himself, ultimately earning her certification as an instructor. Like many dedicated Tai Chi and Qigong practitioners, Yolanda continued to expand her knowledge. She went on to study Zhineng Qigong, a medical form of Qigong. She also shared Dr. Pang’s famous saying “Mastery of Qi is really achieved through mastery of consciousness. We use consciousness in a careful, crafts-man-like way, to shape our life, to attain our goals. If we use modern terminology to name this process, we call it Qigong.”

Yolanda explained that Zhineng Qigong was founded by Grandmaster Pang Ming, a doctor of Chinese medicine. This Qigong style emphasizes “Hun Yuan” energy or primordial energy. Dr. Pang Ming established the Hua Xia Zhineng Qigong Center in Qinhuangdao, Shandong Province, China, where he treated thousands of patients, many of whom were diagnosed with terminal illnesses. According to Yolanda, many of these patients found healing solely through the learning and practice of Zhineng Qigong, without additional treatments or medications. Zhineng Qigong centers on the development of consciousness and intelligence within people. Last year, I attended one of Yolanda’s sessions at the “Be Like Water” retreat and felt rejuvenated afterward.

With growing interest, Sifu Yolanda has been invited back to lead sessions at the upcoming “Shedding Retreat” from January 29 to February 4, 2025, in Palenque, Mexico. During our interview, she mentioned she would be teaching a blend of modalities from various Qigong styles to help participants connect with the earth and shed the old self, both physically and emotionally.

A unique aspect of the “Shedding Retreat” is the inclusion of Temazcal, a traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge ritual popular in Mexico. Yolanda shared photos of Temazcal structures from an archaeological magazine during our interview, showing variations made from brick or clay. In a Temazcal, water is poured over hot stones  to produce steam, creating a “steam house” environment believed to improve health and boost immunity through sweating. The enclosed space symbolizes the womb, and sometimes herbs are added to the water to enhance the therapeutic benefits. At the retreat, participants will have the option to experience this ancient practice.

As an architect, Yolanda designs homes and office buildings, and she also teaches architectural design three times a week at the National University of Mexico. In addition, she leads three weekly Qigong classes—all while being a mother of two. When I asked how she manages it all, her answer was simple: Qigong gives her the energy.

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