6 Week Qigong Course - £60
Min of 8 people per workshop
This six-week program offers a profound exploration into the art of breathing techniques, the awareness of energy, and various styles of qigong, grounded in the wisdom of Taoist practices that have been refined over millennia. Engaging in both physical and meditative practices, participants will cultivate their understanding of jing, qi, and shen — the essential energies of the body and spirit.
Week 1: The Cultivation of Jing, Qi, and Shen
Warm-Up Session: We begin with a gentle warm-up designed to awaken the body and mind, preparing participants for deeper engagement with the energies of life. This will include simple movements to stretch and ease the muscles, setting the tone for the practices to come.
Practice: Micro Cosmic Orbit - In this first week, we will introduce the Micro Cosmic Orbit, a foundational technique in Taoist practices. This meditation guides the practitioner through the circulation of qi, or life energy, along the Ren and Du meridians. Participants will learn to visualize and feel the energy flowing through their body, fostering a sense of unified peace and vitality.
Cool Down: The 3 Treasures Movement - We will conclude our session with the 3 Treasures movement, focusing on Jing (essence), qi (energy), and Shen (spirit). This serene practice allows participants to reflect inwardly, harmonizing these vital forces and solidifying their experience of the week.
Breathing Techniques: Ending the session, participants will explore three distinct breathing techniques that align with the cultivation of jing, qi, and shen, enhancing their overall energy awareness and promoting relaxation.
Week 2: Energy Field Awareness
Warm-Up: - As we progress, participants engage in a warm-up that encourages awareness of their energy field, preparing them for deeper explorations into the dynamics of energy.
Practice: The Five Element Qigong - This week we will delve into the Five Element Qigong, which connects the practitioner to the natural elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Through specific movements and meditations, participants will learn to balance energy within themselves and harmonize with their environment.
Cool Down: Our cool-down will guide participants in grounding their energy, allowing them to fully absorb the practices of the day.
Awareness of Internal Organs: Ending the week, we will explore the internal organs and their corresponding energies, enhancing our understanding of how physical health and emotional balance are intertwined with our energy awareness.
Week 3: Spinal Cord Awareness
Warm-Up: We will initiate with a warm-up that emphasizes spine flexibility, reinforcing the connection between physical posture and energetic flow.
Practice: Ba Duan Jin - The Ba Duan Jin, or Eight Pieces of Brocade, will be the primary focus this week. This classical qigong set enhances strength and vitality while emphasizing gentle movements that encourage awareness of the spine and its role in energy circulation.
Cool Down: A calming session will follow, allowing participants to reflect on their movements and sensations, integrating the practices into their bodily awareness.
Practice: Cloud Steps - To facilitate a fluid transition from learning to embodied experience, we will also practice Cloud Steps, which promote graceful movement and enhance balance, reinforcing the lessons learned through our exploration of the spine.
Week 4: Chi Ball
Warm-Up: The warm-up session will prepare participants for engaging their energy and connection to the chi ball, a tangible manifestation of qi.
Practice: Five Animal Qigong - Participants will explore the Five Animal Qigong, emulating the movements of the tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and crane to cultivate various energetic qualities. This lively practice fosters a playful and energetic atmosphere.
Cool Down: In our cool-down, participants will experience relaxation and gratitude for their practice, focusing on the movements and feelings experienced throughout the day.
Practice: Brush Knee Step Concluding the week, we will practice the Brush Knee step, which integrates strength and grace, demonstrating the seamless blending of martial and meditative practices in qigong.
Week 5: Creating Taoist Holy Water
Warm-Up: The warm-up will prepare participants for the week’s unique focus on energy transformation and its applications in daily practices.
Practice: 6 Healing Sounds - The week will center around the 6 Healing Sounds, a powerful practice that utilizes sound and intention to resonate with specific organs and enhance overall health. Each sound is designed to release stagnant energy and invigorate natural processes.
Cool Down: Harmonizing Your Qi - Following a lively and engaging session, participants will cool down with harmonizing exercises that integrate the sounds and replenish their energy field.
Practice: Taoist Ring of Fire Protection - Each session will conclude with the Taoist Ring of Fire, an energetic practice to protect and stabilize our qi, ensuring a strong connection to both personal vitality and the larger universe.
Week 6: Review
In our final week, we will review all practices explored throughout the course, promoting integration and mastery for participants.
Micro Cosmic Orbit: We’ll revisit the Micro Cosmic Orbit as a foundational practice, reinforcing its significance and enhancing mastery through guided meditation.
Review of Other Practices: Participants will re-explore the Five Element Qigong, Ba Duan Jin, Five Animal qigong, and the 6 Healing Sounds, engaging in discussions about their experiences and how they have evolved throughout the course.
Balancing Qi: To culminate the program, we will focus on balancing qi, employing techniques learned thus far to foster a sense of harmony and well-being within ourselves and with our surroundings.
This course is designed to foster both individual and communal growth, encouraging participants to deepen their personal practice of energy awareness through these ancient Taoist techniques. Join on this transformative journey into the essence of life itself.