For decades, Santa Cruz local Lee Holden has been a calming presence in living rooms across the country, thanks to his long-running PBS series The Fountain of Youth, which introduced tens of thousands to the transformative power of Eastern mindful movement. Through his down-to-earth, easy-to-follow videos, Holden has taken the mystery out of Qigong (pronounced “chee-gong”)—an ancient Chinese practice that combines mindful breathwork, gentle movement and meditation into one deeply calming experience.
Today, Holden is focused on bringing the benefits of Qigong to an even wider audience. “It’s a fitness practice that’s been around for thousands of years,” he says, “We just don’t see it all that much in the West.” Qigong emphasizes the power of “Qi,” the body’s vital energy, which, according to traditional Chinese medicine, supports physical and mental well-being.
Through an engaging blend of charisma and inclusivity, Holden transforms this ancient wisdom into a safe and effective practice that he says “delivers strength, flexibility, and improved emotional health.” And he’s built a thriving global community around it, from digital video platforms to in-person retreats—all rooted in the same core belief: your body already knows how to heal. You just need to give it space.
Truth be told, I’d been attempting to interview Lee for a while. A chance encounter with his parents at SoulCare Studios in Aptos gave me the perfect excuse. They’re possibly the most enlightened parents I’ve ever met—and it turns out his mom has been teaching a slew of mindful movement practices for more than four decades, while his dad, Lee Sr. remains a dedicated participant.
Fast forward to the morning of our scheduled call. My nerves were already frayed following a drama-filled holiday weekend. As I scrolled through Lee’s resource-rich website, I was tempted by the array of stress-relief videos—just a few minutes long, most under ten. But time was ticking, so I focused on preparing. I dialed in two minutes early. Voicemail. Maybe he’s super punctual? Ten minutes passed. I texted. Did he need to reschedule? I could feel my tension creeping back.
So I did the logical thing: clicked “play” on the first stress relief video. And just like that, my introduction to Qigong was no longer theoretical. When we finally spoke, I felt calm and centered—thanks to Holden’s online teachings.
I asked him if growing up in a home where his mom taught yoga and movement had set him on this path. After all, most people don’t head straight to a Qigong studio when they’re injured.
“You know, one of my first experiences was when my mom and even my dad were learning hypnosis back in the mid-80s,” he told me. “They were doing hypnosis with us kids, and I would feel energy moving in my body and started to figure out the power of the mind.”
Holden’s mission now is to keep the practice relevant for modern life. “How can we use it for stress management, sleeping better, getting ourselves out of pain, solving health challenges—from simple ones like insomnia to difficult ones, like cancer?”
When I asked why he thinks Qigong is more important now than ever, he didn’t hesitate.
“We are living in an age where technology is moving more rapidly, and so we are pulled out of ourselves. We’ve created a distance from nature. Qigong started by men and women observing nature and getting in tune with it—both their own inner nature and the natural world around us.”
He continued: “One reason our children are experiencing more anxiety and depression is that they’re just not in touch with themselves or with the natural world. That creates a big disconnect. So it’s about bringing it back to that inner awareness.”
What’s the difference between Qigong and other Eastern practices like Tai Chi?
“Well, Qigong is the mother of Tai Chi,” he explains. “It’s similar but more accessible because you don’t have to memorize a whole sequence of movements.”
Finally, I asked for his go-to move for everyday stress.
“If you’re sitting in traffic, come back to your slow, steady breathing. But I really love the shaking exercise. Just stand up and shake your body—start at the legs, then shake out your arms, wrists, and shoulders. Inhale and exhale through the nose for 30 seconds to a minute. It completely transforms the stress held in your body.”
I tried it after our interview and taught it in yoga class that night. It worked. We shook off the stress of Highway 1 traffic and watched that stress melt away.
Lee Holden’s newest book is Ready, Set, Slow; find out more at HoldenQigong.com. Lee Holden Sr. and Karen Holden teach Spa Day for the Soul on May 17, 1–2:30pm, and Hypnosis for Manifestation on May 31, 1–2:30pm, at SoulCare Studios, 8035 Soquel Drive, Suite 35, Aptos. soulcarestudios.com.
