Alchemical Qi: Qigong, Martial Arts, and Energy Flow
ALCHEMICAL QI:
QIGONG, MARTIAL ARTS AND ENERGY FLOW
Transform Your Mind and Body
Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and searching for a deeper sense of balance and well-being?
Life’s challenges can leave you feeling drained, ungrounded, and disconnected—from yourself, your energy, and the people around you. But, through guided movement, breath, and awareness practices, you can re-awaken your energy, restore vitality and reconnect with a deeper sense of meaning — empowering your journey of transformation.
Together, we'll explore techniques designed to release tension, build strength, cultivate mindfulness and develop deeper self-awareness.
Strengthen Your Body.
Quiet Your Mind.
Find Your Center.
Time-tested practices from qigong and internal martial arts help harmonize the body and mind, fostering resilience, relaxation, and a sense of flow. My teaching is tailored to meet you where you are—whether you're seeking physical healing, energetic balance, or a deeper connection to yourself.
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Through dedicated practice, you can experience:
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Less Stress & Anxiety – Cultivate inner calm and emotional balance.
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Greater Physical Ease – Improve mobility, strength, and pain relief.
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More Energy & Vitality – Feel grounded, present, and alive.
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A Stronger Connection to Yourself – Develop clarity, focus, and inner harmony.
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Deeper Relationships – Enhance presence, empathy, and authentic connection with others.
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If you're ready to explore a new way of moving, feeling, and being, I invite you to join me at Alchemical Qi and begin your journey of transformation.
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Empower yourself now to reconnect with your inner self and navigate life's complexities with renewed vigor and clarity.
About Me
My name is Leyla Gulcur.
I'm a dedicated practitioner, instructor, and healer in the internal arts, with decades of experience in tai chi, bagua, qigong and meditative practices. My journey has been shaped by deep study with renowned teachers across multiple traditions, integrating movement, breath, and energy work to cultivate health, vitality, and inner transformation.
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As a clinical psychologist trained and licensed in the United States, my approach to health and well-being reflects the larger philosophical question of how individuals can reach their full potential and how social norms, cultures and communities can act to impede or facilitate this potential. ​
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Throughout my life, I've lived, worked, and traveled across more than 25 countries, which has shaped my teaching style to be culturally inclusive and accessible to people from diverse backgrounds. ​Because of my background as a "third-culture kid," I understand and form strong empathic bonds with people from different cultures and communities.
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Whether guiding students through the martial, meditative, or healing aspects of internal arts, my approach is rooted in the integration of mind, body, and spirit—helping individuals cultivate resilience, presence, and deep personal transformation.
My Story
My martial arts journey began in New York City, where I trained extensively in Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang-style tai chi — hand form, sword form, and push hands — under Ken van Sickle, Maggie Newman and Eric Schneider. My bagua training, also in New York City, included Gao-style with Joseph Zeisky, Cheng-style with Frank Allen, and Liang-style with Tom Bisio. I also trained in Aikido at Bond Street Dojo, where I explored the principles of fluid movement, balance, and energy redirection.​​
More recently, I've expanded my training with Numan Pekgöz in Chen-style tai chi and Wudang bagua, Ä°smet Himmet in Wudang bagua, and Judith van Drooge in tai chi fan and push hands.​
A Special Note of Gratitude to My Teacher and Mentor, Ken van Sickle (1932-2023)
Ken was my mentor, teacher and friend, and I miss him dearly. He was kind, generous and full of good humour, with a practical approach not only to tai chi sword but also to personal and spiritual growth. We had many talks, philosophical and martial. One of the teaching wisdoms he gifted me was his emphasis that form follows function, and that movements can change based on applications. And, knowing me and being humorous about my tendency to get too intense during sword sparring, he always gently reminded me to "fence as if taking a walk in the park."
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As a teacher, Ken was always patient, always encouraging, and always positive with his feedback, while still pointing out my mistakes and the areas where I needed to practice to get better. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had him in my life.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
I also assisted Energy Intensive workshops at Kripalu Yoga Center, including holotropic breathwork, spiritual inquiry and energy cultivation. Finally, I studied meditation at the Shambhala Center as well as Vipassana meditation, deepening my understanding of stillness and awareness as foundational to embodied practi
Healing Practices
Beyond my training in Chinese martial arts, I have also immersed myself in the healing aspects of Qigong, combining hands-on energy work with movement-based practices that support health and well-being. I earned my certification as a Master of Medical Qigong through the International Institute of Medical Qigong, under Lisa Van Ostrand and Jerry Allen. This training deepened my understanding of how qi flows through the body, allowing me to do restorative energy work as well as guide others in using Qigong exercises for both personal healing and overall vitality.
I have also studied healing modalities that facilitate profound transformation, helping to release unhealthy habits. My certifications in Theta Healing and Spiritual Response Therapy have given me tools to work with subconscious patterns and energetic blockages, facilitating greater clarity and balance. In addition, I trained with Tina Zhang and became certified to teach Earth Qigong for Women, a specialized practice focused on women’s sexual and reproductive health. This system integrates Qigong principles with Bagua Circle Walking, offering a dynamic approach to cultivating vitality, resilience, and inner harmony.
Meditation Practices
My exploration of energy and consciousness led me to participate, then assist in, Energy Intensive workshops at Kripalu Yoga, where I engaged deeply with holotropic breathwork, spiritual inquiry, and energy cultivation. These immersive experiences reinforced my understanding of how breath, movement, and awareness intersect to create profound transformation. Alongside this, my studies in Tibetan meditation at the Shambhala Center, as well as Vipassana meditation and the Diamond Approach offered a deeper appreciation for stillness and presence, teaching me that true embodiment begins with the ability to be fully aware in the moment, both in movement and in stillness.
Tantra and Human Connection
My journey into Taoist and Tantric arts has been a deep exploration of how energy moves through the body, relationships, and life itself. Studying with Charles Muir and David Deida, I learned to bridge Eastern traditions of energy cultivation with modern approaches to vitality, intimacy, and sexual energy. This work expanded my understanding of how inner cultivation translates into connection—with oneself and with others. My training in Orgasmic Meditation with Nicole Daedone further deepened this awareness, allowing me to explore energy flow in human connection through a lens of presence, sensitivity, and attunement.
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Testimonials
Such an enriching experience...the classes have helped me find balance and harmony in my life, as well as enhancing my physical fitness.
- Maya
A life-changing journey! Learning qigong and meditation techniques has brought a sense of calmness and clarity into my daily routine.
- David
Wonderful teacher! The guidance received has positively impacted both my mental and physical health.
- Aisha