Rooted in Traditional Medicine
The School of Qigong is founded on functional and proven methods
Christopher David Handbury
MAcuc, MCNHC, MCIMSPA
School Principal and Lead Trainer
Christopher David Handbury has been using holistic and natural medicine since the age of 11 years when his Mother, an NHS Nurse at the time, introduced him to Homeopathy for childhood migraines following an unexplained, solitary Gran Mal seizure at the age of 10.
He later experienced Traditional Acupuncture in his late teens while seeking a solution for elbow pain after his Father recommended it.
In 2002 a car accident left him with tissue and disc damage to his neck and in severe daily pain, he spent the next two years receiving Western Chiropractic and Physiotherapy treatment along with prescription medication that unfortunately had no lasting effect.
In his search for relief, Christopher discovered a treatment called Tui Na, an eastern clinical massage system used in hospitals and medical centres throughout China. This exposure kickstarted his growing interest in TCM and a search for a deeper understanding of Traditional Health systems.
The immediate positive effect from Tui Na and Acupuncture was so profound that he wanted to learn more and help to share these great methods with others. Shortly after Christopher began his training in Chinese Medicine. He spent the next six years training with Maria and Graham Mercati at the International Bodyharmonics Centre with additional training with Danny Van Leatham - who is the secretary general of the largest TCM school in Belgium, where he gained professional qualifications in several Eastern health systems.
He began practising clinical treatments professionally in 2006, teaching Qigong in 2010, and in 2011 opened the doors of the Stonehouse Holistic Centre and Medical Clinic so he could provide his unique methods of treatment to those who are suffering from pain and long-term chronic illness. In 2022 The School of Qigong was founded as a home for structured learning of these traditional healing methods.
Christopher continues his Qigong training frequently with notable and accomplished teachers.
Recorded Achievements to Date
2006 - Diploma Tui Na Medical Massage/ Musculo-Skeletal Therapy Master Practitioner Bodyharmonics
2006 - Diploma Traditional Indonesian (Javanese and Balinese) Massage - Bodyharmonics
2008 - Diploma Sport Injury, Massage and Rehabilitation
2010 - Diploma Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Bodyharmonics - ACuC
2010 - Cert. Microsystems Acupuncture Bodyharmonics - AcuC - CNHC
2010 - Cert. Medical Qigong Level 2 - Heaven & Earth System
2016 - The Stonehouse Holistic Centre was awarded 'Business of the Year' at the annual civic awards for its contribution to local health and wellbeing.
2018 - He published his first book 'What is Qigong? A step-by-step guide to growing a successful daily practice of Qigong'. Based on his own journey of teaching his students and patients Ba Duan Jin Qigong and the elemental phases of health, the book quickly gained him a global audience and a place in the top 10 bestsellers on Amazon.
2020 - Christopher published his second book 'How to treat your own neck pain' which drew on the knowledge he had gained while managing his own neck injury he suffered in 2002. The book teaches readers how to self-treat and manage pain and stress using the very methods of massage and Qigong that Christopher has devised over the years.
2021 - Founded The Chris Handbury School of Qigong.
2021 - Completed a Level 2 Award in Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent (NCFE CACHE)
2022 - Completed a Level 3 Award in Education and Training AET (Pearson)
2022 - Completed a Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement (Pearson)
2023 - The Chris Handbury School of Qigong became the first Qigong Instructor Training Course approved and endorsed by The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA)
2023 - Publication of a third book 'Grow Your Flow - Balancing the Elements', the third in the series of Qigong, Self-Healing and Traditional Chinese Medicine books
2024 - The Chris Handbury School of Qigong receives the highest award of 'Enhancing' by CIMSPA as a training provider.
2024 - Receives invite into CIMPSA Academy, a new project that houses the top training providers.
2025 - Retains top award from CIMPSA for Assured quality as a training provider.