Karen Van Ness (DMQ, DCEM, MS, CPT, CES) has many years of experience in the areas of fitness, wellness, and personal development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College and a Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University. She is a Doctor of Medical Qigong (DMQ) and Chinese Energetic Medicine and is a Certified Qigong, Tai Chi, and Martial Arts Instructor. She is also a Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-CES) and a Certified Elite Fitness Trainer with the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA-EFT). She is a professional member of the National Qigong Association, the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, and the Medical Fitness Network.
Dr. Karen has been active in athletics for most of her life. She lettered in basketball and softball in high school and was a league all-star and team captain in both sports. She lettered in basketball and track and field at Dartmouth College. At Dartmouth, she was a member of two Ivy League Championship basketball teams and participated with her team in the women’s NCAA Division I basketball tournament during her sophomore year.
Dr. Karen has been a devotee of martial arts since childhood. She holds a fourth-degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, a third-degree Black Belt and teaching title in Uechi-Ryu Karate, and advanced rank in Hap Ki Do. She holds instructor titles in Qigong and Tai Chi. Karen also fought in amateur full contact kickboxing (in her younger days). She has extensively studied Qi Gong (Chi Kung), breathing methods, and other disciplines focused on the development of internal energy, health, and vitality.
Over the years, Dr. Karen has taught qigong, breathwork, martial arts, and fitness and resilience principles to people of all ages. She specializes in working with adults over 40. She has transformed her knowledge and experience into a unique and exciting approach to health, fitness, and personal power, leveraging time-tested principles and techniques from the martial arts and ancient energy disciplines along with modern, proven training, coaching, and nutrition strategies. Her no-nonsense, practical, and efficient approach is designed to achieve optimal health, energy, and vitality, as well as enjoy balance and peace of mind. Her goal is to help each client reach their full potential and become more resilient, healthier, and happier.
Dr. Karen lives with her family in the beautiful Texas Hill Country outside of Austin. She is available for in-person sessions in the Austin area as well as virtual (online) sessions. She can be reached HERE.
Dr. Karen Presents Every Year at the Following Events:
End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) Annual Conference
I am proud and honored to be a regular presenter and session leader at EVAWI conferences each year. I’ll be presenting again this April, as well as leading a sunrise Tai Chi and Qigong session for conference participants. Here is information on some past presentations:
“NURTURING RESILIENCE” – 2024
“A NATURAL HEALING APPROACH TO TRAUMA” – 2023
Resilient Wellness Qigong Featured in Martial Arts Book
My Uechi-Ryu Sensei, Grandmaster George Mattson, known as “The Father of Uechi-Ryu Karate in America”, published his fifth major book in 2025, titled “The Dynamic World of Martial Arts: Unleashing the Power Within”. I’m thrilled that Resilient Wellness Qigong is featured in its own small chapter within the book. Click HERE to read more.
World Tai Chi Day
World Tai Chi Day is celebrated every year on the last Saturday of April at 10am local time. I’ve been privileged to lead the Qigong sections of our celebration at the Northwest Family YMCA (part of the YMCA of Greater Austin) and we have a lot of fun in both outdoor and indoor sessions.
