GROUP

MENTORSHIP

Ceremonial Qigong, Taiji & Gongfu

Virtual Practice Temple Containers for Women

*Open to those who identify as women, female/feminine, or are non-binary female-bodied

CRANE & SNAKE

Group Mentorship

in Ceremonial Gongfu

Sword | Qigong | Taiji

9-Months in Devotional Practice | 26 AUG 2025 - 26 MAY 2026

I'M A WHOLEHEARTED YES

Prior experience training with Brea in Gongfu Sword is required. Any amount of training time, online or in person will meet this prerequisite. If you don’t meet this requirement, reach out to inquire how to meet it before we begin mentorship. Please send a note to hello@quanyingongfu.com

Crane opens the wing, Snake strikes the heart

Here devotion meets discipline

On the beat of our wings and the rhythm of the eternal pulse inward,

We encounter ourselves in the faces of each other, moving as one in ceremonial practice

“It was a spectacular process really - refining the movements & routine each week & becoming better, stronger & sharper - internally & externally.”

"I was extremely lucky to be part of the Crane & Snake group mentorship.

I definitely started with the thoughts, I can't do this, why am I even here?!,’but as the weeks went by, my body grew used to the movements & even learnt to love them.

I was going through a very difficult period of providing palliative & hospice care for my beloved cat & I can honestly say that these sessions gave me so much nourishment & a much needed time-out to focus on nothing but myself, my body, my heart & the movements.

The community of open hearted women was glorious & I felt very safely held, guided, encouraged & challenged by Brea. She is a testament to her practice & it was an honour to be in such a special container with her.

I don't think I realised how much the practice had actually done for me until we finished. After a few weeks "off" I started practicing again & immediately felt stronger, more capable & more in flow with life.

Thank you Brea for introducing me to this beautiful practice, I am now hooked for life!"

— Nicola M.

calling forth the warrior priestess

If you think the martial arts aren’t for you,

I’m here to encourage you to consider otherwise.

This is for artists, lovers, sensitive hearts,

scientists, teachers, dancers, writers,

animal lovers, entrepreneurs, gardeners,

and the “unathletic”—

Martial Arts is for livers-of-life.

I specialize in bridging the gap between the warrior and the priestess/x.

You’ve got both otherwise you wouldn’t be here;

This practice is for discovering the intersecting space between the two.

THE WAY OF THE SWORD

Here we meet discipline kindly, generously—

the sharpest blade cutting the cleanest.

With open wings, we are not simply enduring

what Life offers us to feel; we are taking it in, whole.

To integrate and digest the material of our lives

we move, we sweat, we cry, we tremble by the weight of the work,

we laugh and we love well, together, regularly and often,

aiming for the 10,000 times that will change our lives forever.

This space is for you, should you find yourself seeking

strength, balance, stamina, and clarity,

in all your bodies: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

We are here for this. With vigor and fortitude,

we are here for each other when we’re nearly defeated,

our eyes—gentle and firm—keep a present and sternly loving gaze

held on one another (for in each other we see ourselves reflected)

so we have the strength, the confidence, and the resolve reinstated to keep going.

We call on Snake to show us how to let the heart keep breaking us open

and with Crane we touch the water, effortless in its current

and drop in, soaring on the movement of our collective heart’s aim.

Quan Yin is ever present with us, too, of course,

our intimacy with her river of compassion running full

and clear within our own bodies.

Through nine months within this temple, this estuary,

we’ll meet “where the tide meets the stream,”

in consistent rhythm, we share our hearts and move our bodies.

It’s an act of service that we show up.

May our diligence revive our resilience,

our Spirits turned toward the Sun with eagerness

to engage life and all it has to offer us—

the heartbreak and the heavenly flight welcomed equally.

“At a time in my life where I was struggling with deep heartbreak, disillusion, and evolution,

I came to relate intimately with a knowing beyond knowing, as each session met me with such precise and potent resonance.

These practices served to distill my very essence into True Initiation- worthy of my Soul beyond what I could have imagined- yet have always longed & sensed.

I am so grateful to understand my Self and feel understood on this level.

This is the medicine of Brea’s devotion, generosity, and in-tune heart.”

— Natalia R.

the lineage + the tradition

Ying Zhao Fan Zi Men is our lineage: Eagle Claw Turning Style. The Gongfu and Taiji forms we’ll practice together carry the coding of decades of discipline. The form is alive, and as such, we allow it to express through our personal existence.

Martial arts is a practice in meeting ourselves. We see our blind spots more sharply, we stretch our ability to remain. By training the body we start with the physical and move beyond—working the mind, the heart, and the spirit together.

Some of you will be very new to Gongfu and Taiji; others will be returning to the practice space of this tradition on a years long path; you’re all so welcome here. The aim is to offer equal space for all levels of practice.

The tradition of the Quan Yin Gongfu practice community holds three ideals as pillars of intention for how we meet ourselves, our fellows, and all of Life.

I | PRESENCE

We are committed to active, neutral, and deep listening to ourselves, our fellows, and to Life.

II | KINDNESS

We are committed to being kind to ourselves, our fellows, and to Life, and we navigate with care in each moment, to understand what kindness really is.

III | DISCIPLINE

We are committed to showing up fully to the practice— refining the form, protecting the container, and tending to the structure— as a way to meet the spaciousness within and as an offering in service to ourselves, our fellows, and to Life.

THE Estuary

SPACE | We hold the pulse together

For you, if you’re seeking to cultivate strength and balance, stamina and clarity;

if you long to carve out time for your practice, your sweat, your pounding heart, and your endorphins pumping, fueling your heart-work, your art, your simple being in this world;

and for the resolved part of you who is really ready to see yourself clearly in the face of the Sword’s mirror.

SUPPORT | We do the work as an alliance

For you, if you aspire sincerely to not just talk but walk your Dao—

Integrated with the broader whole of who you are beyond your form—

and to be well in all your bodies—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

For you, if you need a helping hand, a friendly guide, a discerning ally, a loving teacher

to help you stick to and meet that intention.

SISTERS | We meet the Dao side by side

For you, if you long to connect with like-hearts

who also love to be in ceremony;

who also wish to balance their strength with serenity;

who also know there’s power given when we move our bodies in synchronized form;

and for you, if you want to build lasting and loving alliances with those who are drawn here.

We meet in Ceremonial Practice twice monthly

2nd + 4th Tuesdays 8-10a PT / 11a-1p ET

Live attendance via Zoom

Bonus tuition-free enrollment to all drop-in community practices

This is mentorship, not an online course

This is designed for real relationships to form and open,

and this includes between you and Brea.

Monthly 1:1 sessions are bookable if you need.

This space is held small, private, and well

We’re a small but mighty collective.

We keep it an intimate group on purpose.

We keep in touch in the in-between

In our WhatsApp messaging group

we share the triumphs and the trip-ups alike,

we cheer each other on and cheer each other up,

and we hold an impeccable accountability

to our personal practices, together.

The EMBRACE

**Bi-Weekly Live Sessions**

Our Ceremonial Sessions are two hours long, and about twice a month. We’ll include warm ups, Qigong, Taiji, and Gongfu practice, including Sword form, plus space for integration, Heart Shares, questions, & talks from Brea.

**Free + Discounted Practices**

All open-enrollment practices are open to you tuition-free. This includes any drop-in community practices offered while you’re in mentorship. Other special discounted rates for closed-enrollment sessions will be given to you as well. You also get access to any pre-recorded offerings made available during this time.

**Downloadable Recordings**

As your own library of forms, you’ll be able to pull from our ceremonial sessions the specific sequences you want to revisit later. This record of all our practices is yours to keep.

**Private Group Thread**

You’re not alone in your inner work; we got you. Our Crane & Snake Estuary message thread is for celebrating triumphs and sharing the tender, while giving each other a steady flow of high-vibe nudges for accountability.

**Monthly 1:1 Sessions with Brea**

Receive the personal attention you so deserve, seek counsel in confidence, discover which form(s) may help you best for what you bring forth, and ask any question you have.

**Unlimited Private Guidance from Brea**

Reach out whenever you have something you need to say or ask, whether by text message, voice note, video chat, or email. You have Brea’s focused, personal attention.

**Qigong Lesson Films**

Full access to the entire lesson film archive— over 60 videos.. Typically only accessible through the QYG Patreon subscription, this is an incredible resource for your personal home practice, and invaluable for deeper study of the forms that arrive in our live ceremonial sessions.

**Student-Led Practices**

Practicing without the teacher present is essential to the growth of any group of martial arts students. Hosted by our own Susan Bickford, who is on the QYG Teaching Path, these extra practices are offered as a way to inspire and ignite your weekly home practice.

**A Shared Notes and Resources Drive**

This is where you’ll find all our session notes and recording links, plus supplemental study materials: including recommended reading lists, diagrams, photos, extra videos, and anything else to support your home study.

“I studied martial arts when I was younger, from men— and it was more about getting things perfect. And— my body is different than my brothers. With a group of all women we do things differently.”

“We’re a group of practitioners who choose to show up and agree to move together. There’s something really special about that.

There's this push— not that Brea expects me to be a certain way— she lets me be who I am, but there's this encouraging feeling she gives. And I feel it within myself, to keep coming— to keep showing up for myself, and to keep exploring.

We are not aiming for belts or accolades. We are learning from Brea, but also learning about ourselves, and each other.

I feel like it’s the soul in us being pulled here, in this space, to learn and explore, not the ego.

Just that is… Wow.”

— Christina C.

THE SACRED TOOLS

THE SWORD & THE STILLING MIND NEEDLE

What the Sword cuts the Needle mends.

In this way, the spaciousness is

defined by the Blade and secured by the Needle.

From within Quan Yin Resting stance

we hold our arms as if cradling the Moon,

and we drop in with the Sword we carry within.

Embracing the Sword,

we look through the blade as a mirror and see,

cast upon the ten thousand forms, our own faces.

All practitioners must have a Jian— a Chinese Straitsword, as well as a Stilling Mind Needle.

We are extremely specific about which tools we recommend for practice, so every Sword must be approved by Brea before your acceptance.

FaQ

All levels of practice are welcome, and— there is a minimum amount of experience with Sword that is required.
If you you have a question about this, please send a note to hello@quanyingongfu.com.
We will be a group of mixed experience, from those who have minimal experience, to those who have been training with Brea for many years in all disciplines, and all points in between.
In general*, we’ll meet for our two-hour Ceremonial Sessions on the second & fourth Tuesday of each month.
Our first and last sessions, which will be the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, are the two dates we will strive for 100% live attendance, to the best of our ability. They fall on the last Tuesday of both August 2025 and May 2026.
*There may be slight shifts to this once or twice throughout the year and you’ll be given as much notice of any necessary change as possible.
Below are the dates for our 24 Ceremonial Sessions, which are on Tuesdays from 8-10a PT / 11a-1p ET.
AUG 26
SEP 9
SEP 23
OCT 14
OCT 28
NOV 11
NOV 25
DEC 9
JAN 13
JAN 27
FEB 10
FEB 24
MAR 10
MAR 24
APR 14
APR 28
MAY 12
MAY 26
While you’re not required to be there live for every session, we strive to be there for most of them, to the best of our ability.*
We need everyone to show up live to most sessions, to the best of our ability because being there is everything. It’s what plants the seeds for real connection, vulnerability, and space for true transformation.
So, combining these two points, look at your calendar, and as long as you foresee yourself able to be there live for most of the sessions, you’ll be fine.
Missing one or two is okay (please just let me know ahead of time). If you see that you’ll need to miss many sessions, let’s talk before you register.
If you need to come late or leave early once in a while, that’s fine, too. We try to accommodate our busy lives and at the same time we intend to be resolved toward showing up as best we can.
*There are two dates that are extra important for our full attendance live and they are:
Opening Ceremony Tue 26 August 2025
Closing Ceremony Tue 26 May 2026
We also will likely have folks who live in time zones that make live attendance not possible, and they will have permission to attend via the replays.
It’ll be ok, but let’s talk first. Please send a note to hello@quanyingongfu.com so we can offer you a little guidance.
They’ll definitely be recorded and given to you as downloadable videos you can keep.
These are optional 30-minute Zoom calls. Most people don't book monthly, but if you need that time with me, you’re so welcome to take it!
You’ll book your own sessions, one per month, during Temple Hours, which usually occur twice a week on non-weekend days.
Arrive to our private zoom space and bring your intention; we’ll sit down and talk a bit and perhaps move through form.
Ask questions, bring concerns, share your heart. You’ll have my focused, listening ear, fully as your witness. I may ask if you’re open to reflections for discussion, and I’ll often receive and share a personal medicine Qigong form based on what comes through while we’re together.
I encourage everyone to book at least one session with me, especially during the first month or two. This will help us feel more connected. But there’s no wrong in not taking this option if you don’t feel it.
This is for women, those who identify as female and/or feminine, or who are non-binary female-bodied.
This is for those who are ready to meet all the parts of themselves as teachers and friends.
This is for those able to commit to this practice in whatever frequency of home practice is personally most beneficial.
This is for those who are willing to open their hearts to create a safe space, to cutlivate a naturally unfolding vulnerability, and to support —kindly and with honesty— the other practitioners in this group.
Once your application is accepted, your deposit is your commitment to the space.
Your payment options are payment in full or a 9-month payment plan in either monthly or bi-weekly options (adds a nominal processing fee).
For people who have unavoidable circumstances that suddenly prevent them from participating in this group mentorship, the cancellation policy is as follows:
If you cancel before we begin, you’ll get a refund of whatever payment you’ve made over the initial non-refundable deposit amount.
If you need to leave the group after it has begun, then we'll need to have a heart to heart talk about it. Payments made for months already past are non-refundable; future payments can be stopped beginning with the following month from the date of notice.
In all cancellation circumstances, your initial payment to get you enrolled is a non-refundable deposit.
If, in extreme emergency, Brea needs to cancel the mentorship for any reason, any future scheduled payments, plus your payment for the month during which this should occur would be reimbursed, or transferred to a future offering, as you prefer.
PLEASE TAKE THIS TO HEART | This year’s group mentorship container has a limited number of spots. Canceling your enrollment at any point after we’ve begun means that the space you filled cannot be given to another who wanted it. Please keep this in mind before you apply.
We are not creating an application process for Scholarships this year, but yes— there are a small number of them that will be giv. These will be awarded on a rolling case by case basis as they come in.
If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please send an email to hello@quanyingongfu.com

REGISTRATION

**Early Bird Rate | $333/mo**
**Tuition after 1JUL2025 | $444/mo**
*Payment Plans in monthly or bi-weekly installments*

This year there is an application process for enrollment.

All are welcome to apply who identify as women, female, feminine, or who are non-binary female-bodied.

Accepted applicants will be notified as soon as possible with a decision. Some decisions will be swift and others will take a longer process.

APPLY FOR CRANE & SNAKE

We’re here if you have any questions at all. Send a note to hello@quanyingongfu.com.