Blanche Boyce is a Master of Medical Qi Gong, Acupressure Therapist, and Tai Chi teacher dedicated to restoring balance and vitality through ancient healing practices. With a background in philosophy and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, she blends movement, mindfulness, and energy work to promote physical and emotional well-being. A passionate teacher and volunteer, Blanche shares the transformative power of Qi Gong, Acupressure, and Champissage massage to help others find harmony and resilience. In this interview with Mystic Mag, she explores the profound benefits of working with the body’s energy systems.
You have an interesting combination of backgrounds in philosophy, martial arts, and Eastern healing practices. How did your philosophical studies in the 1970s influence your journey into Qi Gong and Acupressure?
I’ve always been drawn to the more esoteric aspects of life. Studying philosophy exposed me to different ways of thinking about the world, encouraging me to explore perspectives beyond what I had been taught. Philosophy teaches critical thinking – how to question, analyze, and remain open to ideas that challenge conventional beliefs. This mindset made me more receptive to Eastern healing practices when I first encountered them. I didn’t dismiss them just because they didn’t fit within the framework of Western medicine.
Both philosophy and Eastern medicine have stood the test of time. Just as philosophical thought has been passed down for thousands of years, so have practices like Acupressure and Medical Qi Gong – because they work. Chinese medicine is deeply rooted in the understanding that health isn’t just about the physical body; it’s about the balance of mind, body, and spirit. In the West, we often separate these aspects, but Eastern medicine recognizes their inseparable connection.
Unfortunately, if a practice doesn’t align with the current Western medical model, it’s often dismissed – or even maligned. But true healing isn’t limited to one system or philosophy. My studies in philosophy gave me the ability to think beyond rigid structures and embrace a more holistic understanding of health, which ultimately guided me – perhaps not by accident – to the path of Acupressure and Medical Qi Gong.
Could you explain the role of Qi in maintaining health, and how your work with Acupressure and Medical Qi Gong helps to balance and strengthen this flow?
Qi is fundamental to everything in Eastern medicine and science. Defined as ‘life force energy or vital energy,’ it is present in all things and is what makes us alive. Think of Qi as the fuel that powers your body – just as a car needs gas and a well-functioning engine to run smoothly, your body needs strong, free-flowing Qi to function optimally. Qi moves through defined pathways called meridians, much like blood flows through veins and arteries, delivering energy to every organ and system of the body.
However, just like a blocked fuel line can cause a car to break down, Qi can become stagnant or obstructed due to physical trauma (like injuries or surgeries), emotional stress, or even certain medications. In Chinese medicine, pain is often a sign that the Qi isn’t flowing properly in that area. Tumors and other chronic conditions are also seen as accumulations of stagnant Qi.
Through my work in Acupressure and Medical Qi Gong Therapy, I help restore the natural movement of Qi. With gentle touch to specific acupoints, I can release blockages and get the energy flowing again. As the Qi starts moving, pain subsides, the mind calms, and the body begins its natural healing process.
Similarly, Qi Gong and Tai Chi use deliberate movements to stretch the meridians and activate acupoints, freeing up blockages and encouraging the smooth flow of energy. Once Qi is moving freely and there are no further obstructions, it naturally finds balance. A body with strong, balanced Qi flow is healthier, more resilient, and better able to heal itself.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer in-person Acupressure therapy, which is actually a combination of Medical Qi Gong and Acupressure. I work on a wide range of issues – physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual. What’s fascinating is that when I focus on one of these aspects, the others naturally improve as well. For individuals with cancer, I adapt my approach by working more off the body, using primarily Medical Qi Gong.
For those who aren’t local, I also offer distance healing. This is done while the person relaxes at home, and I work on them remotely from my session room. We connect via Zoom or phone, working with the principles of Quantum physics to facilitate healing.
In addition to one-on-one healing sessions, I teach Tai Chi classes in North Vancouver, outdoors in the summer and indoors during the rest of the year. I also offer online Qi Gong classes year-round, making it easy for people worldwide to learn and practice. These classes are recorded, so students can review them for extra practice.
For those who prefer a more personalized approach, I offer one-on-one Qi Gong training, either for private instruction or to address specific concerns.
Finally, I teach outdoor Qi Gong classes in the summertime, which is a wonderful experience. Practicing in nature allows us to connect directly with the energy of the elements – the trees, plants, earth, sun, and moon – enhancing the depth of our practice.
You’ve been practicing and teaching Tai Chi for several years now. How does Tai Chi complement your Qi Gong practice, and how do you integrate these two disciplines in your teaching?
Tai Chi and Qi Gong are deeply interconnected – they both enhance Qi flow, flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. In fact, Tai Chi is a form of Qi Gong. That said, I find that Qi Gong complements my Tai Chi practice – and, in many ways, everything else in my life – more than the other way around.
Tai Chi is essentially the art of moving Qi within the body. We achieve this through deliberate transitions from one stance to the next and by how we position our hands and feet, all of which stimulate Qi flow.
Qi Gong, however, allows us to do even more. In addition to moving Qi, we can cultivate it – drawing more of it into the body – and purify it, making it (and ultimately ourselves) healthier. When we have an abundance of strong, high-quality Qi, our Tai Chi practice improves. We develop stronger legs for deep stances, a sharper mind to retain movements and their nuances, and greater vitality to practice longer and with more ease.
While Tai Chi refines balance, coordination, and flexibility, Qi Gong builds the foundation by strengthening and regulating our energy. Almost every great Tai Chi Master also has a Qi Gong practice, but not necessarily the other way around. In my teaching, I weave together elements from all of my disciplines to enhance the learning experience. Together, these practices create a powerful synergy, supporting not just physical health but also a deeper mind-body-spirit connection – leading to greater vitality, resilience, and inner peace.
Your work with women at the North Shore Women’s Centre sounds deeply impactful. How have you seen Acupressure and Qi Gong help women during transitional phases of their lives?
My work with the North Shore Women’s Centre was incredibly meaningful, and I saw firsthand how Acupressure and Qi Gong can profoundly support women during transitional phases of their lives. Many of the women I worked with at the Centre were navigating major life changes – recovering from trauma, leaving difficult situations, or trying to rebuild their lives while under immense stress.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Centre’s approach is that they provided a series of sessions rather than just a one-time experience. This allowed the women to experience real change over time. Healing is a process, and having the opportunity to receive ongoing support meant they could gradually release emotional stress, build resilience, and start to see their lives from a more grounded, empowered perspective.
Stress and overwhelm can make it difficult to think clearly and make good decisions, especially during times of transition. Acupressure and Medical Qi Gong help shift the body out of a fight-or-flight state and into a place of deep relaxation and balance. I watched as women who initially came in feeling anxious, stuck, or emotionally drained left their sessions feeling lighter, more optimistic, and more capable of moving forward. With each session, they became stronger, not just physically but emotionally and mentally as well.
What I love about this kind of healing work is that it doesn’t just benefit the women themselves – it has a ripple effect on their children, families, and communities. I’m deeply grateful that the North Shore Women’s Centre recognizes the importance of holistic healing and makes these services accessible in a way that allows for true transformation. It was an honor to be part of that process.
In your experience, how does Qi Gong help to improve both physical and emotional well-being?
I believe Qi Gong is one of the most effective practices for improving both physical and emotional well-being because it works on multiple levels – body, mind, and spirit – simultaneously. Unlike conventional exercise, which primarily focuses on physical fitness, Qi Gong integrates movement, breath work, and focused intention to cultivate and balance the body’s Qi (vital energy) flow.
On a physical level, Qi Gong improves circulation, enhances flexibility, strengthens the immune system, and supports overall vitality, among other things. Practitioners often experience relief from chronic pain, better mobility, and increased energy simply by practicing the gentle yet purposeful movements.
Emotionally, Qi Gong is a powerful tool for reducing stress, calming the nervous system, and promoting inner peace. Many people carry emotional tension in their bodies without realizing it, and these stored emotions can manifest as physical discomfort or illness. Qi Gong helps release these tensions, creating a sense of lightness and emotional balance.
I’ve seen firsthand how Qi Gong shifts people from feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck to feeling grounded, centered, and more resilient. My students often comment how good they feel after just one class! With regular practice, people develop a stronger mind-body-spirit connection, which enhances self-awareness and emotional regulation. Instead of being consumed by stress or negative emotions, they find themselves responding to life’s challenges with greater ease and clarity.
Ultimately, Qi Gong is about cultivating a state of harmony within ourselves. When our Qi is flowing smoothly and abundantly, we feel healthier, happier, and more vibrant – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.
