Hi, I'm Candace.

Founder of Mintaka Qi. Qigong came into my life during a season of grief, uncertainty, and anxiety. At a time when I felt disconnected from myself, this simple practice offered something I deeply needed: space to breathe.

Through gentle movement, breath, and presence, I began finding moments of calm that gradually grew into a deeper sense of balance, resilience, and self-compassion. Qigong didn't change my circumstances, but it changed how I moved through them.

After years of dedicated practice, I completed my training through the YOQi Qigong Instructor Program and felt called to share these teachings with others.

Today, I offer welcoming, accessible classes designed to help people slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and cultivate greater ease in everyday life. I believe qigong is not about perfection or performance—it's about returning to yourself, one breath at a time.

Whether you're seeking stress relief, nervous system support, greater balance, or simply a quiet moment in your day, you are welcome here.

Peace and Blessings,

Candace

MINTAKA QI - a sanctuary of calm

Mission

To help people cultivate calm, restore balance, and reconnect with themselves through the transformative practice of qigong.

Vision

A world where people have simple, accessible practices that help them navigate life with greater calm, awareness, and connection.

Core Values

Calm Before Everything | We believe calm is not a luxury—it is a foundation.

Authentic Presence | We show up genuinely, openly, and without pretense.

Connection | Qigong creates space to connect with self, community, and the natural world.

Accessibility | Qigong belongs to everyone, regardless of age, experience, or ability.

Gentle Transformation | Small shifts practiced consistently create lasting change.

The Story of Mintaka

A Return to Kindness Within

The name Mintaka has been like a quiet whisper to my heart. I often find myself gazing up at the Orion Constellation and smiling, as if my spirit is experiencing a memory of a past calm and compassionate life.

Mintaka is one of the three stars that make up Orion's Belt. But long long ago and in many spiritual traditions, Mintaka is described as an ancient water world—a place remembered as peaceful, harmonious, and deeply connected to nature. Whether understood as mythology, symbolism, or something that resonates on a soul level, its story speaks of returning to what is simple, kind, and true.

The Mintakan people were water beings, they were positive and kind, and always saw the good in others. They were full of love and compassion, and things like negativity, betrayal, and hatred were foreign concepts to them. Mintakan's are said to have been highly intelligent beings who could sense the energy of others.

I've always felt drawn to water, open skies, forests, and the quiet places where the mind softens and the heart remembers how to breathe. The qualities associated with Mintaka—compassion, curiosity, playfulness, reverence for nature, and a longing to create more peace in the world—are the same qualities that have guided my own path. My spirit is alive and shining with purpose, to help elevate the consciousness of humanity and create peace and harmony on earth.

That is why I chose the name Mintaka Qi.

For me, Mintaka isn't about escaping Earth. It's about bringing a little more harmony to it. It's an invitation to slow down, reconnect with your body, breathe deeply, and remember that healing doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with simply standing beneath the trees, feeling your feet on the ground, or allowing your breath to become your anchor.

Whether or not the story of Mintaka resonates with you, my hope is that our time together helps you experience the feeling it represents—a return to balance, a quieter mind, an open heart, and a deeper connection with yourself and the natural world.

May you remember what has always been within you.