Donegal woman's chance encounter helps bring ancient Chinese wisdom to Ireland

A chance encounter on a flight from Ireland to China has led Bundoran native Ann Keenaghan to a new life that involves bringing the ancient Chinese practice of Qi Gong to Ireland.

Ann Keenaghan first met Dr Shaofan Zhu, a renowned Qi Gong master and traditional Chinese medicine expert, on a flight to China in 2017. Ann was en route to visit her son who was living there at the time. They got talking, and it transpired that Dr Zhu had spent time on the Aran Islands thirty years previously and longed to return there. 

Ann invited Dr Zhu to visit her, and the following year, they took the ferry out to Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór, where he performed a Qi Gong routine accompanied by the singer Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, singing as Gaeilge.

Ann immediately took to the practice of Qi Gong and went on to train as an instructor. In addition to running a busy health and healing practice, she now runs Qi Gong classes throughout Ireland and runs Qi Gong Ireland as a network to promote the Shen Zhan Gong form of Qi Gong.

Qi Gong is a system of coordinated body posture, slow, mindful movement, breathing, and meditation. Its integration into daily life and the general belief in its benefits help sustain its mainstream popularity among the Chinese population. It is becoming increasingly popular in the Western world, including Ireland. 

This appeal is aided by scientific studies that note its positive effects on stress reduction, mental health, balance, flexibility, and overall quality of life. 

“We sometimes say these kinds of meetings are random and accidental, but it definitely feels like I was meant to meet Dr Zhu on that flight,” Ann said. “I was supposed to be on a different flight, but due to a booking error, my stop-off ended up being in Zurich, and that’s where Dr Zhu got on. 

“There was definitely some serendipity, and it felt meant to be. So much has changed for me since that chance meeting. But not just for me, but for the 1000s of people in Ireland who are now benefiting from his Qi Gong teachings. 

“It’s amazing to see how one thing can lead to another and all the positive ripple effects. I feel it’s all so timely, too, given the range of stresses and health pressures people are under these days.”

Dr Zhu is hosting an upcoming workshop in Barna, County Galway, which runs from April 26 to April 28.

“Each time he comes he grows to love Ireland more and more, and people get so much out of his visits, from his teaching and his one-to-one medical appointments,” Ann continued. “It feels like a rare privilege to benefit from this ancient knowledge handed down from someone who has studied under a lineage of great Masters and teachers in China. 

“My experience is that many people know about Tai Chi, which is similar in nature, but Qi Gong is less well known, although there have been some great teachers here for some time. It feels like Qi Gong is really starting to take off. 

“There's a growing awareness around the practice, and the benefits are increasingly appealing in this age when there is a greater appetite for more peace, balance, and harmony in our lives. It's a wellness practice, but it's also a spiritual practice and there’s a great yearning for that. It's about connecting to the deepest parts of ourselves, staying grounded, and also investing in staying well in mind, body, and spirit.

"It appeals to all ages, but I've found that a lot of older people particularly enjoy it as it is so gentle, and it doesn't require any great experience or fitness ability. I'd encourage everyone to look into Qi Gong and give it a go if you can."