Our Philosophy
In Chinese culture, they have a saying, “Gold has value; Jade is invaluable.” Why is it so invaluable? The answer is inherent in its qualities which have become known as virtues in China’s 4000-year-old Jade culture. This elegant stone was so strong it required time, dedication and patience to form because it could not be cut by any tool of that time, but rather must be formed using sand and cord. Once sculpted and worn next to the skin, it became more lustrous with years of wear. Just as Jade is molded through dedication and patience so does Qigong mold the practitioners’ physical health and spirituality, ultimately improving the human condition.
At Jade Water we are inspired by Jades strength and virtues to mold ourselves through dedicated training, to practice charity and translucency in our actions, to share the wisdom of experience, to be equitable with students, and the courage to mold ourselves, yet not be broken.
The Five Virtues of Jade are best typified by:
“Jade is the fairest of stones. It is endowed with five virtues. Charity is typified by its luster, bright yet warm; rectitude by its translucency, revealing the colour and markings within; wisdom by the purity and penetrating quality of its note when the stone is struck; courage in that it may be broken but cannot be bent; equity in that it has sharp angles which yet injure none”.
(Mark Cartwright)
Yolanda Barnes
Yolanda Barnes is a Qigong Instructor who helps people of all ages and fitness levels to reduce stress, improve mobility and reclaim their health and vitality through Daoist Qigong exercise.
Prior to instructing Qigong Yolanda has been a Registered Nurse for 21 years. She has worked in intensive care settings for acclaimed hospitals such as John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, Memorial Health Savannah, GA as well as Hospice. After a successful career helping patients in the Neurological Intensive Care setting, she worked with our Wounded Warriors implementing MRI/TBI protocols as a Nurse Researcher for the renowned military hospital, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. It was her honor to serve in this role until she was diagnosed with cancer. Using primarily non-conventional therapies to recover she became a Qigong practitioner, and began to study the art intensively at Privatschule Harmonie, in Ansbach, Germany later becoming certified as an instructor. Yolanda participated in Qigong demonstrations for Harmonie Schule at Dennenlohe Schloss Park, Germany as well as appearing with her Master in the prestigious “Anblick” Magazine in July 2014.
She brings her passion for Qigong as well as years of knowledge, creativity, patience and calm assurance to her teaching style while also bridging the gap between conventional and non-conventional modalities.
Yolanda enjoys creating delicious healthy meals, and being outdoors with her family hiking and biking.
Hunter Barnes
Hunter is a devoted martial artist and Qigong practitioner. At the age of 7, he studied Karate under Professor Jorge Ordonio and Master Jay Ordonio later competing and placing as a medalist in three consecutive World Championship tournaments. His passion for martial arts led him to later study Wing Chun under Sifu Armen Minasjan. More recently he became a Qigong practitioner in order to enrich his practice.
Hunter is currently a student at Clark College in Washington State. His interest in researching the personality and psychology of human behavior. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, biking, shooting the crossbow or catching the latest movie release.