​LORI FURBUSH teaches classes & offers private sessions in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. She has served two terms as Chairperson for the National Qigong Association. Teaching since 2001, Lori has over 1,000 hours of training and holds many certifications in Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She enjoys adapting these practices for the mainstream public, as well as for special populations, leading classes in hospitals, cancer groups, and psychiatric programs.

Lori has created an extensive series of forms called Red Dragonfly Tai Chi Qigong, a flowing blend of Qigong and Tai Chi movements, which she teaches in classes and offers on DVDs for home practice. Lori creates a relaxed, nurturing space that allows you to cultivate your own healing power and, like the Red Dragonfly (see story on this page), participate in your journey of transition and transformation. 

Qigong

Yoga

  • ​Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 200), Yoga Alliance, 2004 to present
  • Certified Restorative Yoga Teacher, Jillian Pransky, 2014
  • Insight Yoga Training, Sarah Powers, 2013
  • Certified Yin Yoga Teacher, Erin Fleming, 2009
  • Certified Acu-Yoga Teacher, Acupressure Institute, 2005
  • Certified Integrative Yoga Therapy, Home Study, 2002-2003
  • Yoga Teacher Training, Namaste International, 2001

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

Reiki

  • Certified Reiki Master Teacher, Usui Shiki Ryoho, 2006
  • ​Certified Reiki Master, Usui Shiki Ryoho, 2004
  • Certified Reiki Level I & II, Usui Shiki Ryoho, 2004

The Red Dragonfly Story

​The dragonfly is a symbol of transformation. For their first two years, they live in the water as a nymph. They then go through a metamorphosis and learn to live in the air and fly. Thriving in locations where there is warm sun (yang) and cool water (yin), they represent balance and adaptability. If a dragonfly visits you, it is a reminder to release past illusions and open yourself to enjoy the bright new moment.

One summer, Lori had an incredible bonding experience with a red dragonfly in her backyard. She was sitting outside after lunch one day playing her Native American flute, when a bright red dragonfly hovered in front of her and appeared to be listening. Whenever she stopped playing, he would zoom right in front of her face, as if to ask for more. This went on for half an hour.

Even more remarkable, the dragonfly returned to the same place at the same time each day, waiting for a concert. He would fly or sit close by and enjoy, sometimes even lighting on her finger and allowing her to "pet" him (see video). He still visited even when she offered no music. This continued daily for the entire summer until the cool of the autumn came.

On her Qigong retreats around the world, Lori is often visited by red dragonflies, usually at a particularly auspicious moment. After a day of rich healing and blessings with a Q'ero priest in Peru, all the other retreat members walked back on the path, but Lori chose to walk up a hill. When she reached the top, still filled with wonder from the shaman's work, there sat a red dragonfly just for her...as if to say "yes" you are on the right path. And in Kyoto, Japan, in the midst of throngs of people visiting a temple, one hopped right up on her finger and did not want to let her go. She had to nudge it off of her hand and catch up with her group.

Lori feels her gift is guiding her students and clients through all kinds of transitions and transformations, symbolized in the ever-changing life of a dragonfly. She has created an extensive series of forms called Red Dragonfly Tai Chi Qigong, a flowing blend of Qigong and Tai Chi movements, which she teaches in classes and offers on DVDs for home practice.