Taiji and Qigong 
Instructor Profile

Peter Caughey
BHSc Acup, NDA(NZ)       Dip Chb, Dip Tuina, 
Dip Taiji, Qigong
Member NZRA

Senior teacher of the Forest Rock Taiji and Qigong Monastery School 

Why I started practicing Taiji

I had been in the NZ Special Forces, the NZSAS, for seven years. As much as it was incredibly and ultimately challenging, and the hardest thing that I’d ever done, both physically and mentally, in my heart I knew there was something missing in my life. This emptiness seemed to always need filling.

I spent my days doing stuff like parachuting, abseiling of high buildings, and explosive entries. But at night, I would lie in bed feeling that there was something missing and that there must be more to life than this. I would go to sleep feeling a sense of accomplishment for the day, but when I awoke, a feeling of emptiness was there.  I would then spend the rest of the day filling it up with excitement, trying to take the emptiness away.

I also used alcohol, food, cigarettes and sex to fill up this emptiness, they worked, but I’d wake each morning feeling empty again.

I started seeing an acupuncturist when I was twenty. He always seemed to be able to answer my questions about anything that I’d ask him. I always felt incredibly content and happy after my session. Twelve years later, when I was having difficulties with a relationship, I went to see him to see if he could help me. He suggested that I went along to one of his Taiji classes. Before I went to the first physical class, he gave me a philosophy class introducing me to Taiji. There was something in the philosophy class that resonated with me. I felt that this is what I had been looking for my whole life. It touched my heart and changed my life forever. I went to my first physical class, the following morning when I awoke, I didn’t feel empty. I have been doing Taiji everyday ever since.

 How I became an Acupuncturist

Before my own first acupuncture session I was sceptical. I was brought up to believe that you go to the Doctor when something was wrong, and how could sticking needles into you do anything? There was something different about this acupuncturist when I went to see him. I felt like I was visiting an enlightened person. It was like he knew me more than I know myself, I had one treatment and it fixed my problem. I walled out of the clinic like I was floating on air. I couldn’t understand what he knew that everyone else didn’t. Since that day, I haven’t been to a Doctor for any general health issues, that was thirty years ago.

When I left the army I had been practicing Taiji for three years. I was ready for a new career. I taught kids outdoor education for a while but had always been fascinated by the effectiveness and efficiency of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, so I decided to do a four year degree.

In my twenty years of practicing Taiji and Qigong, ten years of practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, and eleven years of teaching Taiji and Qigong, I have found inner contentment, peace, loving relationships, community, family and a sense of purpose.

I have dedicated my life to help other people, so that they to can experience the same level of health, freedom, peace and contentment that I have found.

Senior teacher of the Forest Rock Taiji and Qigong Monastery School 

Peter is trained in Traditional and Classical Taiji styles such as Yang style, Sun style, Wu style and Chen style. He spent sixteen years in the New Zealand Defense Forces. During his service he spent seven years in the New Zealand Special Forces (NZSAS) reaching the postition of Patrol Commander and Group Commander. He was also an advanced trauma medic, demolitions and explosive entries instructor, close quater combat instructor and small arms instructor, After leaving the army he taught children outdoor education before completing his training in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.

He has studied the physical and philosophical aspects of Taiji, as well as studying the Taiji Monastery based teachings which incorporate  mental, emotional and spiritual aspects.
Over his 20 years of practise, Peter has been taught by seven different teachers, all from different lineage, teachings, and styles of Taiji and Qigong. 

Peter is the Senior Teacher and Founder of the Forest Rock Taiji & Qigong Monastery School. He teachers Taiji Philosophy and Principles, and Traditions of the Monastery based schools. The philosophy of the Forest Rock School is about 'rightful place'. Aspects of this philosophy are; Medicine, Diet, Service to others, Music, Arts and Exercise. Some of the principles are; Loyalty, Honesty, Truthfulness and Contentment.
Peter Caughey teaches weekly Monastery Taiji and Qigong classes and practices Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at his clinic. (see 'classes' in the red menu bars)

Peter is a Tutor at the NZ School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
He teaches the Taiji and Qigong Diploma and designed  the two year NZQA Qigong and Taiji Diploma which is taught at both schools of the New Zealand Schools of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine in Wellington and Auckland. The course has been running for over 10 years.

He instructs 9 different Qigong styles, which include Shi Ba Shi Taiji Qigong, Ba Duan Jin, Dao Yin , Zhan Zhuang Gong and Lao Dan Tzu shao. These systems include sitting, lying and standing systems and also walking Qigong, Insomnia and Hypertension Qigong and head massage Qigong techniques

Workshops, Courses and Retreats

Peter has conducted Workshops and short courses at the NZ School of Acupuncture and Wellpark College Of Natural Medicine. Peter takes Taiji and Qigong Retreats and Courses in Havelock North, Gisborne, Coromandel and Thames.

Workshops and Courses:
- Reflexology
- Acupressure
- Qigong and Taiji Quan (Tai Chi)
- Meditation 
- Bone washing techniques
- Weight loss and Nuitution (based on Qigong and cardio vascular exercises and
   dietary management)
- Acupuncture and Tunia (Chinese massage). This includes facial acupuncture,
  which assists in slowing down the aging process and nourishes the skin.
- Watsu (Watsu is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water. It
  combines elements of massage, joint mobilization, shiatsu, and muscle stretching.)
- Women's self defence courses

Peter also teaches Taiji /Qigong classes for Bodytech Health and Fitness Spa - one of Aucklands leading Health and Fitness Centers.

Acupuncturist

Peter is a  Registered Acupuncturist and a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

He is a Member of NZRA and operates a clinic in Central Auckland. Where he has a  practise in Acupuncture, Tuina (Chinese massage), Chinese herbal medicine, Qigong healing, spinal adjustments, manipulations, energy balancing.
 He specialises in Sleep disturbances, insomnia, Infertility and Mental and Emotional Disturbances.

Meridian Stress Assessment System Technician

Peter is a trained technician with the Meridian Stress Assessment System, (MSAS) which screens for toxicity levels (pesticides, herbicides, viruses, bacteria, parasites and chemical toxins) and assists in detoxifying them from the body, by homeopathies and herbal remedies. It also tests for Allergies and Food Sensitivties. ( For more Information about the MSAS go to Acupunture Clinic and then to Specialist treatments )