I had been practicing internal martial arts for a little over nine years. I was diligent in my efforts to practice the arts as intended but I was not achieving any great strides in feeling more healthy. I needed to find an internal approach to better health and well-being. I saw an article in one of the local newspaper magazines about Fred Popeski and the work he was doing with a Qi Gong form from Canada. This intrigued me so I called him up and we met for a cup of coffee to discuss what he was doing. Long story short, I moved from the forms I had been practicing for so many years to the Wu Yi Jie He 24 Posture Therapeutic Qi Gong. Within 6 months, my flexibility and strength had improve tremendously. Old aches and pains literally disappeared. After doing the form for about a year, I was able to sit on the floor in the lotus position. This in itself, to me, is amazing since I have a prosthetic knee in one leg and a prosthetic hip in the other. I don’t think my orthopedic would totally approve of doing this but I can with no problems… all because of 24 Posture. ~ M. Reed (North East, PA)
I give credit to the Qi Gong class for my improved quality of life. I am 77 years old. Following two knee replacements and a hip replacement, my balance and flexibility were so poor, I had trouble going up and down steps and walking on uneven surfaces. Since I started taking Fred’s Qi Gong class 11 months ago, my balance has improved to the point where I can go up and down the stairs without using a handrail. And, I no longer need cortisone shots for arthritis in my right shoulder. I’ve also found improvement in my asthma because I use Qi Gong breathing. I highly recommend Fred’s Qi Gong Class. ~ Joan D. (Erie, PA)
I came to Qi Gong desperate. Sciatica and joint pain were keeping me from doing the things I love. My doctor suggested a pain management clinic. I didn’t want drugs to cloud my mind and just sedate me because I wasn’t “living” then either. The first few classes were pretty much learning the basic movements, but then amazing things started to happen. I noticed my body loosening up…..I hadn’t realized that a lot of my pain was muscle tension. The simple movements in Qi Gong were awakening my body again and giving me more freedom of movement and less pain. Ten months later about 80% of my pain is gone. I still have it, but it’s a result of strenuous gardening, going for a long hike, or climbing a ladder to do DIY house projects. And now I have the skills to manage my pain without meds.
Qi Gong has transformed my physical body, but has also transformed my spirit. I came to Qi Gong with experiences in various forms of meditation so I was familiar with the breathing techniques that are an essential part of Qi Gong. The practice of this “movement meditation” has taken me deeper than I’ve ever gone in other forms of meditation. I believe this is because Qi Gong is more than just finding a quiet place to unwind; it’s about directing that energy to heal and unblock the spiritual baggage. Not only was my body broken when I came to Qi Gong, but so was my spirit. I was filled with anger. I felt powerless because I could not battle all the injustice in the world and I was angry about it. Now I have been able to release that anger and work on changing the world from a place of love and compassion. For me, Qi Gong has been a spiritual cleanse.
So as I approach the world from a more positive vantage point, there is less tension that my body is holding on to. That absence of tension results in less pain, so it’s a beautiful circle of healing. As the body heals so does the spirit and vice versa. ~ Christine (Erie, PA)
I have known Fred Popeski for twenty-five years and have developed a tremendous amount of respect for Fred as a colleague, instructor, teacher, and friend. Sifu Popeski is adept in both hard and soft styles of martial arts but his expert knowledge falls in the areas of Qi Gong and Tai Chi (both Yang and Chen Style). One thing that separates Fred from other martial arts instructors is his overall knowledge of various styles – and his innate ability to effectively explain and adequately convey the concepts. His teaching methods are first-rate and he can relate to any type of student, regardless of their ability or physical condition; indeed, Sifu Popeski’s strength lies in his desire to get the most out of each student. I have personally witnessed, on many occasions, his effective and efficient teaching style and seen how students absorb his teachings and utilize the knowledge to better themselves; for many that means achieving verifiable results, thus freeing them of previous physical ailments.
I can certainly attest to his abilities in regards to Energy Healing. When I ruptured my Achilles Tendon Fred worked on the injured area and it helped speed the healing process significantly. Both my doctor and physical therapist were amazed at how much ankle flexion I regained, and how quickly. This is particularly amazing considering that the initial treatments occurred while I was still in a cast. I appreciate the role that Fred played in the overall healing process.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Fred as an instructor. His passion and caring nature are infectious. He instills confidence in everyone he interacts with and demonstrates an above average level of conscientiousness. I would certainly rate Sifu Popeski’s abilities and teaching effectiveness as exemplary. His caring nature and affable manner ostensibly puts his students at ease and makes him an extremely competent teacher. ~Raymond F. (Erie, PA)
After having several life changes and some health-related issues, I had several friends suggesting that I try a more integrative approach to health care with multiple suggestions to look into Tai Chi. After some research, I decided to try Fred’s Qi Gong and Tai Chi classes.
I found that Fred maintains a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that promotes healing. He does this by ensuring that his classes are easy to follow and accessible to everyone. He encourages you to participate but not to the point of hurting. In his desire to help others, Fred can be seen sharing his knowledge, both in the studio and outside, as he encourages you along your journey to health, healing and longevity. His knowledge and experience are evident as he teaches classes with students of all ages and abilities in them. It is also seen in how he works to help his students learn, develop and practice the forms that are of interest to them. He is always encouraging and reassuring his students that they are right where they need to be in their journey.
Over the past year, I have not only seen a reduction in my pain, but I have also noticed that I have more energy due to the regular attendance of Fred’s Qi Gong and Tai Chi classes. Fred has not only shared his wealth of knowledge but also provided Energy Healing sessions to help me in my quest for health and healing. I have seen Fred’s genuine care for all his students and desire to help others. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve their health, for healing, and to increase their vitality. I feel fortunate to have found Fred and to call him teacher, but most of all am privileged to call him friend. ~ Jill (Erie, PA)