prana / qi

February 24, 2026 • 7:15 am - 8:15 am
5009 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Allie Labate
I came to yoga for the physical—but I stayed for the transformation. After years of bodybuilding, I was searching for something to ease the tightness and chronic pain in my body. What began as a way to build strength and flexibility became a lifelong path of discipline, devotion, and deep inner work. Asana is powerful. It builds resilience, sharpens focus, and teaches the mind to stay steady under pressure. These aren’t just qualities that support meditation—they are the very foundation of it. The physical practice prepares us for stillness. It lays the groundwork for inner awareness, deep states of meditation, and ultimately, samadhi. My teachings honor the full depth of yoga—from the physical to the subtle. I blend challenging, intentional movement with breath awareness, energetic awareness, and yogic philosophy. Outside the studio, I’m immersed in daily study and practice, focusing on pranayama, meditation, and internal cultivation. I’m currently studying Nei Gong with Damo Mitchell of the Internal Arts Academy and Kriya Yoga through the Self-Realization Fellowship, founded by Paramahansa Yogananda. My formal training is in Ashtanga, Power Yoga, and Rocket Yoga, and I’ve had the privilege of learning from teachers who deeply understand both the physical body and the eight-limbed path. Their wisdom continues to shape my own practice and teaching, and I’m forever grateful for their guidance. I also hold a certification as a Chopra Health™ Ayurveda Teacher, trained by Dr. Deepak Chopra and his faculty, and weave Ayurvedic wisdom into how I live, move, and teach. At the heart of it all, I teach because yoga continues to change my life—and I believe it can change yours, too. Whether you’re here to build strength or seek stillness, you’ll find that the deeper you go, the more the practice becomes not just something you do—but who you are. Training & Certifications - Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider - Ongoing Nei Gong studies with Damo Mitchell of the Internal Arts Academy - Ongoing studies with the Self-Realization Fellowship (Paramahansa Yogananda) - 300-Hour Chopra Health™ Ayurveda Health Teacher with Dr. Deepak Chopra - 12-Hour Handstand Seminar with Yuri Marmerstein - 50-Hour Rocket Yoga Teacher Training with Carson Calhoun - 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Yoga for Special Populations) with Michelle Young - 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Ashtanga & Rocket Yoga) with Carson Calhoun - 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (Power Yoga) with Jennifer Eddins

Description

Prana—the vital life force you may know from yoga—is also called Qi (“chee”) in Chinese energy and healing practices. In this class, we explore this energy through Daoist Qigong and Nei Gong to awaken, circulate, and harmonize your internal life force. When we harmonize this energy, we can access deeper layers of meditation.

We begin with standing and seated Qigong exercises, using gentle, intentional movements and breath to open the body’s energetic channels, release tension, and cultivate a sense of vitality. These practices help you feel the flow of Qi, calm the mind, and prepare the body for deeper internal work.

From this foundation, we move into Nei Gong, a seated practice that guides awareness inward. Here, the focus shifts to connecting deeply with your energy system, refining subtle body awareness, and aligning the mind and body. Through stillness, posture, and mindful attention, students learn to move energy internally, creating a profound meditative state and cultivating inner balance, clarity, and presence.

This class is for anyone interested in energy cultivation, self-healing, and deepening meditation. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to slow down and explore the subtle dimensions of mind, body, and energy.