We recently connected with Chris Shelton and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Taking the plunge and starting Morning Crane Healing Arts Center in 2001 was one of the scariest things I’ve done in my life. At the time, I was a full-time butcher ‘working for the man,’ a single father of two, and a competing martial artist.

But, I persevered, and, despite nay-sayers, I refused to give up! Even when the occasional family member or mentor told me I would not succeed, I ignored them and moved forward with my plans to bring my dream into reality.

In the beginning, as I still do to this day, I utilized the principals of Qigong to co-create what I want in my life and career. The third pillar of Qigong is mind-intent, which I used to clearly visualize specific desired outcomes.

Throughout this process, I received many opportunities to be of service and was able to help a variety of new clients. In 2010, I teamed up with my wife, and now business partner, Parisa. With the two of us plus our small team, we were able to bring our services into the government sector, Special Olympics, and corporate landscape.

In 2012, we began our expansion into the Los Angeles area. That’s when Hollywood Physique Expert, Eric the Trainer, said to me, “Chris, no one is doing what you’re doing down here” and encouraged us to move to Hollywood/Burbank. He has since passed on, but he was a great friend and mentor to me.

Within four years, I was seeing clients in Burbank where I provide hands-on healing sessions, classes and workshops. Our clientele consists of people of all ages and backgrounds, including pro athletes and celebrities.

In 2017, we created the Qigong Teacher Training course which certifies Qigong teachers through online learning and live weekend workshops. https://qigongteachertraining.com

Then, in 2020, The Qi Club was created as a byproduct of the pandemic and offers an opportunity for members in our community and other natural remedy seekers to practice Qigong with us live on Zoom. https://theqiclub.com

A couple of years later, in 2022, we launched our Curative Qigong Mastermind program which I put together from my years of experience from seeing clients. This Mastermind teaches participants the techniques I’ve mastered over the past 23 year, to serve people in their community by helping them to heal from chronic pain and disease. http://curativeqigong.com

Finally, in 2023, we opened our new Morning Crane Healing Arts Center in downtown Burbank (150 E. Olive Ave) where we offer private treatment sessions and group classes to heal the body, mind, and emotions.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been in the health and wellness industry for over 30 years. Originally, I didn’t have the intention of becoming a healer, but though the various challenges and circumstances in my life, this is what lead me here. My original training was as a butcher, free-lace artist, and mechanic. Fast forward, I met my wife and business partner, Parisa. Together we have the same vision to give people tools to help people improve the quality of their life.

We help natural remedy seekers relieve pain, reduce stress, and access higher levels of well-being. Our services include private healing sessions, group classes, teacher certification courses, subscription membership, and a mastermind program.

We are experts in understanding the body and helping clients heal without prescription medication or surgery.

Our work is effective in all types of conditions, ranging from chronic pain and disease to emotional issues like depression, or even the common cold, viruses, etc.

Through our practices and courses, we’ve helped countless people reclaim their health and enjoy their lives again. We’ve also been fortunate to work with Special Olympics teams, professional athletes and celebrities.

Our mission is to raise the consciousness of all people. We teach simple practices with profound results—movement, breath and mind focus techniques that improve health, bring happiness and promote self-healing.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit, all of our in-person community classes and contracts came to a halt which forced us to adapt our teaching methods. Within days, we moved our in-person group classes online and offered them for free, because so many people were struggling financially and emotionally.

Thanks to our friend, Eric the Trainer, we started with The Qi Challenge which focused on Qigong and Tai Chi by demonstrating simple exercises and breathing practices to relieve mental and emotional suffering. At the time, this was desperately needed due to all of the fear and unknown surrounding the situation.

After the Qi Challenge, we decided to create a low cost membership program called The Qi Club which gives members from all around the world access to live weekly classes and daily recordings focused on clearing out blocked emotions and facilitating an optimal functioning of the body and mind.

Another major pivot occurred around how we continued our work with Santa Clara County. Pre-pandemic, we were contracted with the Santa Clara County Employee Wellness Department for in-person group classes, which was now off the table due to the shutdown. Fortunately, we had previously made connections with some of the higher-ups at the County Hospital System (HHS).

With one phone call, we were able to create the HHS Whole Person Care Program, where we offered stress management group classes and private sessions for hospital staff who were on the Covid front lines. That was a major pivot and a service that we were super grateful to provide.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My business partner, Parisa, is also my wife. We met through a mutual client, Laurie Kirk, who is a high school Art teacher. At that time, (13 years ago) Parisa was the manager of a Pilates studio and was finishing up massage school. I had just recovered from a divorce.

Parisa was suddenly let go from the Pilates studio and began looking for a place to move her practice. She called me and said, “I heard how you fixed Laurie’s shoulder and would like to learn more.” I thought she was going to be either a new client or sub-tenant. However, from the first time we met, we found an instant love and mutual respect for one another. From that day forward, we have been both life and business partners.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sheltonqigong.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrissheltonqigong/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrissheltonqigong
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-shelton-qigong/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SheltonQigong
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/morningcrane1
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/morning-crane-healing-arts-center-burbank
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris_shelton_qigong