Rachel Van Dessel
As a professional dancer and teacher, Rachel began exploring the way the body, mind, spirit, and energy function together for health and well being.
She became certified as a Medical Qi Gong Practitioner at Samra University, while studying with Dr. Yu Zhong in the 1980s. She was a guest presenter of qi gong and dance at the 1992 International Conferenece on Qi Gong in Kyoto, Japan. From Kyoto she performed and taught in several major cities throughout Japan.
During this time she began to practice Tibetan Buddhism in earnest under her teacher Lama Tharchin Rinpoche, eventually completing a traditional 3 year meditation retreat under his guidance.
Rachel teaches dance, pilates, yoga, and qi gong as part of the Cabrillo College Dance Program and the Wellness Program at UCSC. She also teaches psychology in the Tibetan Buddhist Emphasis of the Transpersonal Psychology Program at SDUIS. Her qi gong class at Ocean View Park is open to everyone at all levels of practice.
Of the many forms of qi gong Rachel practices, Wild Goose Qi Gong, which she studies with Dr. Bingkun Hu, is the most aligned with spirit of dance. Wild Goose is a lovely flowing movement form which offers the potential for healing, well being, and spiritual growth.
Rachel can be reached via email at