A grand master in Chinese health practice
The Peninsula now has its own Grand Master of the ancient Chinese art of Qigong.
Ms Cherel Waters has lived on or around the Woy Woy Peninsula since 1983.
Having used her skills in Reflexology for many years, she went on to further study the Chinese Art of Tai Chi or Qigong.
This study led her to become a teacher of Qigong, and now a trained Master.
Qigong is an integral part of the Chinese health system, according to Ms Waters.
She said Qigong consisted primarily of physical movement with mind-body integration, and included meditation, relaxation and breathing exercises.
"When the body, mind and breath are in harmony, our Qi will also be in harmony," Ms Waters said.
After doing many years of training with Master Simon Blow in Australia, Ms Waters decided she needed to go to China to finish her teaching training.
She visited China for more than 10 years to study with Qigong Grand Master Chen Guan Gang.
Ms Waters was most recently invited to Wuhan to train with Master and Madam Chen in their home, where she had personal instruction in the Dayan Wild Goose forms of Qigong.
"Master Chen believes the form that he teaches should be taught in its exact form and has congratulated me on my diligence and mastery of this form," she said.
Ms Waters has aimed to teach others the form, so that they can reap the benefits.
"As people age, most are unable or unwilling to do vigorous physical exercise.
"Their health may suffer somewhat as a result of an inactive life.
"The magic of Qigong is to combine gentle physical movement, created over centuries of Chinese knowledge, with a stillness and calmness of the mind, which instills a well-being which is very difficult to find in the modern day stress of life.
"Medical Qigong has many beautiful exercise sets which can be easily learned.
"They are gentle yet energising, and useful for everyone.
"They combine the use of breath and creative visualisation to empower the practitioner to realise they are an integral part of their own healing process," she said.
Six years ago Ms Waters started to give classes in the Church Hall behind St Luke's on Blackwall Rd, which she said had an atmosphere most propitious to relaxed learning and easy education.
She now has a faithful group of students who have seen the positive results from practicing this ancient Chinese art-form to improve their health and increase their enjoyment of life.
"People make ongoing friendships at the classes, or just come for their weekly hit of spiritual/physical exercise, before going home to continue the daily practice in their own home."
Media release, 16 Jan 2017
Cherel Waters, Woy Woy