Meet Christopher ‘Kiki’ Apodaca | Medical Qigong Practitioner & Qigong for Health Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher ‘Kiki’ Apodaca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher ‘Kiki’, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

 Hi! “Like the proverbial pebble dropped into a still pond, the shifts of consciousness we make in our personal lives send out small but important waves that ripple through the whole world.”

What this quote means to me, by Shakti Gwain, is taking a step toward personal healing. Even the slightest change I can make has the most significant effect. What I like about this quote is the emphasis on personal change affects the environment around you. I believe it because I have seen it happen in my life.

We all have that little voice in our head, either advising us on things we need to change or keeping us in our current way of life-the status quo. When we take that step to personal healing and go against the status quo, the ripple effect creates change in one’s life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans, and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work. Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

I am a Medical Qigong Practitioner. But before I go any further, I must explain this Qigong stuff. Qigong is thousands of years old and is an ancient holistic practice that has the potential to improve physical, emotional, and mental health by practicing different exercises. Qigong is one of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) four branches. The others are Acupuncture, Chinese massage, and Herbal Pharmacology.

Now let’s look at the word Qigong. Qigong can be broken down into Qi and Gong. Qi has been referred to as the breath and is the vital substance that animates everything. Gong is the acquired skill obtained through work. So, Qigong is the acquired skill of cultivating and maintaining the free flow of Qi within one’s body that is accomplished through different Qigong exercises. More so, Qigong has three components, which are Posture, Breath, and Intention.

What sets me apart from others is Medical Qigong is a specific skill set that applies the principles of Qigong, philosophies, and diagnosis rooted in TCM. My approach consists of treating patients with a General Protocol and Secondary Protocols (if needed) specified to different pathologies or disharmonies. It is non-invasive and effective. My goal is to treat the symptoms, the flower, to get to the root of these disharmonies. Furthermore, as a modality, Medical Qigong can be utilized for pathologies resistant to standard treatment methods. But I am only assisting the client in their healing; the client must also participate.

I am excited to offer this modality to my community. For example, I see patients at the free clinic where I volunteer. The clinic serves those underinsured, and about 60% of the patients speak Spanish only. The clinic mixes Western and Eastern practitioners who want to serve others. 

Also, what is exciting about Medical Qigong and Qigong for Health is the healing that comes with practicing the different exercises in class or the ones I give as homework prescriptions after a Medical Qigong session. Adopting these exercises takes time and practice, but once they become effective, the results are priceless.

How did you get to where you are today, business-wise? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

I got where I am through divine intervention, self-motivation, and support from my husband and friends, who are business owners and have given me advice. I am inspired by that “little voice,” and it directs me on the right path when I listen. The spaces where I treat clients, teach Qigong for Health, and volunteer have all been beautiful blessings from the universe. More so, I am still growing as a business in Tucson, and marketing is not my strong suit, lol. But I have started focusing on marketing my business within the last year.

Was or is it easy? That is a matter of perspective. As I said, marketing is not my strong suit, but I still put myself out there by hosting workshops at various locations, word of mouth, and Google. I am working on becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Putting myself out there does create some discomfort for me, but the more I do it, the more comfortable I am with advertising myself to my community. There is always room for growth. So, I am still overcoming the challenges daily.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

The biggest thing I can mention is that I have learned about starting my own business, getting off my butt, and putting myself out there. Because if I stayed on the couch, I would still be on that couch, lol. I still have much to learn about being a business owner, but I am excited to be on this path. Also, learn from your mistakes and be better. And if you get down on yourself, don’t stay down for too long. Get back up and try again. It’s a work in progress; I am a work in progress. Also, talk to other business owners and learn from their mistakes and successes.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My life purpose is to assist others to feel safe in their bodies and to be deeply rooted. To feel unwavering in the eye of the storm of life. If a client walks away from me feeling more rooted in themselves and able to manage and heal from their traumas before they met me, I have done my job.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

 Tucson has a lot of hidden treasures to seek out. During this proverbial week, I would take my friend out for tea and this lovely place called Seven Cups. It sources its teas from makers across China. We would have a light snack there. Then go to a yoga class at Yoga Oasis or where I teach at The Yoga Connection; these are great spaces to practice. The instructors are diverse and excellent at teaching.

Also, I would take my friend hiking to Picacho Peak. It is a bit away from the city and is a challenging and unique hike. We would rest up after that hike and then head to dinner at Tito and Pep’s, a local restaurant with a unique menu. I haven’t been there for a while, so it’s an excellent excuse to go.

We would have to go to Bata for dinner one of the nights too. It is a very unique, tapas-like restaurant. They source 90% of other products within 400 miles of the restaurant, and the food is ahhhhh-mazing!! It is one of my husband’s and my favorite places to dine! Postino’s is another restaurant with unique bruschetta boards. OMG, they are delicioso!! 

Also, we would have to go zip lining!! Who knew Tucson had this? I guess we have three places, whaaaa?? See buried treasures!! We would go to Arizona Zipline Adventures. I have gone once, and it was fun!! Also, you can build your burger there. I love all the great food Tucson has to offer, so we would go out to eat at least 3 or 4 times during that week. Fox Restaurants are great choices, too, and never a disappointment.

Another night we would chill, and have dinner at my house, hang out with my two cats, two dogs, and hubby, and watch TV. My friend would attend my Qigong for Health class at The Yoga Connection. She has an appreciation for Qigong too.

Our downtown can be fun if you enjoy the night scene, clubs, and walking around. However, as time passes, I enjoy being in the comfort of my own home with my family. That is the best place to be.

That about wraps it up.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

 I want to shout out to the Creator for being that ever-present “little voice” guiding me in my path and showing me the kind of peace that was always within me. Thank you for sending the three signs that Qigong is my path!

To my mom and dad, who brought me into this world and are always with me in spirit, thank you for EVERYTHING.

I want to shout out to my husband, Al, who has always supported me in my endeavors even if he doesn’t truly understand the “what” I am partaking in, but he is always willing to learn. He is my rock.

A shout-out to my fur-children, thank you for your constant love and companionship. You truly make life rich.

To my friend Martha, who guided me to the world of Qigong by mentioning the word, thank you, seeester!

Another shout-out goes to the Red Thread Institute, where I have received my training as a Medical Qigong Practitioner and Qigong for Health Instructor. Shifu Sweeney, my instructor, has been instrumental in assisting me in my holistic growth. What I have learned from his guidance is truly immeasurable.

A shout-out to my Qigong-mates, who, in such a short time, I have shared so much depth with that I didn’t even know was possible. You all have been instrumental in my growth; I wouldn’t have made it to where I am without you. I am amazed.

A shout-out to my brother, who I am grateful to have back in my life. He has helped me heal in many ways, even if he doesn’t always see it. I love you, brother.

Also, to my family and ‘framily,’ that are too many to mention, who have supported me in my growth and endeavors. Thank you all!

Website: https://www.rippleinnerqiholistics.com/

Other: https://www.yogaconnection.org/ https://redthreadinstitute.org/

Image Credits
My husband and I took all of these pictures.