Real Taoism Workshops and Retreats

Dragon Tiger Qigong Workshop

Saturday 25th February 11 - 4pm 2012

Get an simple, clear introduction to Qi Gong and see and feel why Qi Gong is so powerful as a health and healing modality This simple set is one that we have used at my studio since 1997-8. I pioneered the introduction of this set to the College of Chinese Integrated Medicine in Reading, UK. The UK's leading Acupuncture College.

Dragon ( Long ) Tiger ( Hu ) is incredibly simple in design and although no where near as deep working as the Hun Yuan Qi Gong of the studio, it is simple enough to allow the old and infirm, or people with chronic body problems to begin a practice and gain great benefit. As a typical medical Qi Gong which can be used by people recovering from a transplant or from COP, heart disease or any obstructive disorder.

The term medical denotes that the exercise was at some point taken up by a hospital as part of a health regime for patients, especially in recovery.

The first Qi Gong clinic was opened in Beijing in 1956 by Master Hu Yao Zhen ( 1879-1973 ) and it was through his work that the term Qi Gong became popular throughout China.

Those who are able bodied and want to simply work with Aura of the human form can learn to do so immediately. This Qi Gong is ideal for acupuncturists who want to work with their energy and improve their needling, intentionality and their ability to move energy beneath the needle and through the meridian system.

Also manual therapists and Physio-therapists can use this set to help avoid burn out and to release any stagnation accumulated form working long hours with people who have depleted energy.

This workshop is suitable for people who want to deepen their practice or for beginners to have try out the set.

Suitable for beginners or those who already know the Dragon Tiger set.

Long Hu (Dragon Tiger Qi Gong ) is a relatively simple seven movement set that provides a way method which allows the practitioner to focus on the felt sense of ones immediate Qi (Chi field - Aura)

Our nervous systems and our minds can be attuned to sensing our life giving Human energy field. This field has been observed for millenia by varied cultures of the world both East and West, in China, India and ancient Greece.

In the 20th Century many people in Western Science such as Semyon Davidovich Kirlian and Dr. Wilhelm Reich researched the aura of the Human energy field. Back in 500 B.C., the Pythagoreans believed that there is a universal energy pervading all of nature. They taught that its light could effect cures in sick patients.

The ancient Chinese 2500 B.C developed a methodology that allowed anyone to cultivate an awareness of this field as a felt sense phenomena and this led to movement systems that promoted self awareness and an increase in vital energy and blood flow. Masters of such arts could act as catalysts for the releasing of blockages in a patients field, simultaneously influencing the cells and tissues of another being. The power of the treatment had much to do with the personal strength of the masters own energy field and his good will and intent. A master's personal energy field is trained much like an athlete would train his physical body. In reality all fields are interrelated and a master of considerable practice can sense blockages in another person.

The beauty of Qi Gong practice is that one can learn to work gradually over time to become more integrated with self and others in a positive way that benefits all. Qi Gong is a construct, an idea that can help those who feel they have no control over circumstances or their health. Qi Gong is a mindfully based movement system utilizing natural motion with deep breathing.

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Snake Style Tai Chi ( Yang ) Study Group

Saturday 3rd March 2012 11- 4pm £65

In this workshop (Study Group ) we will work with the structural elements and movement elements of Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak's Snake Form ( which is the original disciple form of Yang Cheng Fu ). We will be working on the long form and Snake Style Nei Gong.

This workshop is a follow on from Master Robert Boyd's introduction to Snake Style in October 2011 and is however open to Yang style practitoners or any Tai Chi practitioner of any style who would like to experience this approach as once solely tyhe domain practice of the Yang family. Upgrade your form and movement via experientially translated and transmitted clarifcation of the essential points and their real meaning.

The Snake Style was only practiced by a select few. (literally a few) master Boyd below talks about his experience as the second disciple of Ip Tai Tak.

The proof of anything is in the practice and learning of it.

Master Boyd has given me permission to introduce practitioners to the Snake Style system. If you would like to join this group the proceeds will help towards promotion and further study and also to bring Master Boyd back to the UK.. please write me if you have any questions.

Host a Workshop.... if you would like me to come and conduct a workshop for you and your students then please contact me directly. This can act as a preparation for further study with Master Robert Boyd.

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Cheng Style Ba Gua Zhang Workshop (Monthly)

Sunday 4h March 2012 10 - 3pm

£55 Members £85 non members

The two man set of Cheng Style Ba Gua Zhang

This is an ongoing monthly workshop-study group of Ba Gua Zhang.

We are now moving into a new phase of practice and we will focus on the Classical Cheng Style Ba Gua Zhang Grandmaster Lui Jing Ru and Master Frank Allen. ( Director of New York Wu Tang Physical Cult Association ) with applications and personal advice on how to get the best out of your practice....

This workshop will include

As with the last session will will be working through the two man set and the palm changes.

Reveiwing the first 4 palm changes and applications
The practice of Liu Jing Ru's two person set

Circle walking practice, theory and function and its relationship to mind training
Precise Ba Gua Nei Gong ( internal work ) and its integration into form
Rou Shou- Ba Gua's sensitvity two person drills

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Medical Qi Gong Certification 2012 ( this course is now closed )

We will be conducting a certification course in Lung Hu Qi Gong starting in March 2012.

Long Hu medical Qi Gong is a wonderfully simple Qi Gong. Practiced with relaxed intent these movements can produce a calming effect to the sympathetic nervous system. Master Chappell introduced this method to the UK's premiere Acupuncture, and encouraged it's use to prepare acupuncturists to perform pulse reading and needling. Training acupuncurists at the College of Integrative Chinese Medicine in Reading still pracices the Dragon and Tiger set I introduced to this day.

Master Chris Ray Chappell is the lineage diciple of Master Ma Ba Guo of the Hun Yuan Hsing-I Tai Chi Association. With the explicit blessing of Master Ma, Chris has developed a unique approach to teaching Hun Yuan Qi Gong/ Nei Gong and Medical Qi Gong from a a myo - fascial ( Myo-muscle- Fascia - connective tissue )and energetic perspective. I look forward to sharing his knowledge and preparing others to help others recuperate from illness.

Medical Qi Gong is relatively easy for people to learn and practice and learn and is a superb health exercise for people recuperating from illness. I have personally worked with people who were recovering from organ tranpalants and cancer. I also have experience in working with traumatic injury and was on hand using medical Qi Gong a method to release shock immediately post accident when physical touch was too invasive.

This is is an intensive training open to those with a working knowledge of the the Long Hu Set. An interview will be necessary for acceptance onto this training. The training and will cover energetic practices and theory as well as the functional anatomy.

Please apply via email for an application form. Places are strictly limited

Meridian Qi Gong systems are exactly that, you work with your felt sense awareness of your immediate energetic (qi body) and use tracing and sensory exercises to clear stagnancy. What differentiates Medical Qi Gong is it's gentle focus on sensing your energy field and then working with mindfulness to release blockages. Internal tensions, scarring, inflammation and stagnancy can be sensed in the field of the body and stagnancy in your energy system cleared.

" I taught a medical Qi Gong set on retreat in France to an elderly gentleman who attended the retreat with his acupuncturist. He had just had a liver transplant and had great difficulty walking and his energy wss very low. Within 4 days this man walked and moved so well that I literally did not recognize him one morning. On the first day of practice he could barely trace the merdian lines and yet improved so much that his acupuncturist was astounded by how much he gained some general vitality. I was told that at first night after day 1 he would sleep for one hour and spend the rest of the night coughing whilst sitting in a chair, by day 5 he could sleep the whole night. This reversal heappened gradually over a 6 day period and he practiced with guided breaks during a 5 hour learning period per day" Master C Ray Chappell

Testimonial
"We have worked with Chris in a variety of ways: he has taught our regular students and he has run graduate seminars and we have attended retreats in the UK and France as well as private lessons. Whether teaching a class, running a retreat or giving a private lesson, Chris's teaching is consistently excellent. He walks his talk. He knows his material, has worked through it for himself and he can adapt to a wide range of students. Highly recommended!"

John and Angie Hicks,
Joint Principles
The College of Integrated Chinese medicine
Reading
UK

Easter Retreat Scotland 2012 Hun Yuan Qi Gong

Hun Yuan Qi Gong 31st March -5th April 2012

£550 full board including single room accomodation

We will be teaching with level 1 and level 2 of the Hun Yuan of Master Ma. This retreat is suitable for complete beginners or intermediate level practitioners who would like to work on Master Ma's superb level 2 material.

This is an ideal chance to immerse yourself in an authentic Qi Gong teachings in a wonderful setting at the purelands retreat centre at Samye Ling Scotland

Cost: £550, which includes Full board, all meals and tuition

Retreat/ Holiday Hun Yuan Qi Gong France July 2012

July 7th-13th 2012

Hun Yuan Qi Gong Energy Work (Beginner and Intermediate level) - plus Standing Meditation in the High Corbiere, Southern France

Hun Yuan Qi Gong/ internal energy work plus Standing Meditation to develop your natural ability to re- balance and release restrictive tension from your body, using exceptional body control and movement. The purpose of this retreat is to increase your body awareness and upgrade your health and strength

Places are strictly limited. Flights are from Stanstead to Carcassonne, ryanair.com are cost effective when booked early.

RETREAT CONTENT

We will be working for the standpoint of creating balanced an open structure. Emphasis will be on the anatomical requirements and adjustments that help the flow of the body's innate life force ( Qi ) personal help will be given to those wishing to have feedback regarding structural restriction plus advice on personal practice. We will also be covering the bio-mechanics and energy mechanics related to the foundation set of Hun Yuan( Mixed Circle Qi Gong) movements 1 - 5 to assist whole body movement, balance and strength.

SMALL GROUP

We provide instruction and advice within a holiday retreat setting. Participants can learn a short Qi Gong form that they can integrate into their daily lives. Groups are kept small. Typically 12 people maximum

LOCATION

Our French retreats are held in the Corbiere region of Languedoc. This deeply historic area has a great atmosphere conductive to practice.

TYPICAL DAY

We generally have morning and afternoon practice sessions, for example, 10-12am and 3-5pm. This allows time for walk, rest or a local trip out to the river etc. More practice time is allocated where necessary to help you get the most out of your practice.

This 5 day retreat is taught in a relaxed, we usually cater for no more than 15 people (usually 10-12 attend). Accommodation is varied, some twin rooms (sharing) and some single occupancy with price variations. We have our own specialist retreat chef to prepare wholesome vegetarian dishes. The environment of the Corbiere close to the Pyrenees is wonderful and the air quality superb.

Please contact the office for the room rates and costs and brochure.

Prices are inclusive of training, accommodation and 3 vegetarian meals a day, (starting from £595 for two people sharing (£695 for single room occpancy ) a £200 deposit will secure your place.

Real Taoism Workshops and Retreats

Dragon Tiger Qigong Workshop

Book this workshop online

Member workshop booking £55.00

Non-member workshop booking £85.00

Annual Membership costs only £50.00

Snake Style Tai Chi ( Yang ) Study Group

Book this workshop online

Member workshop booking £65.00

Cheng Style Ba Gua Zhang Workshop (Monthly)

Book this workshop online

Member workshop booking £55.00

Non-member workshop booking £85.00

Annual Membership costs only £50.00

Medical Qi Gong Certification 2012 ( this course is now closed )

Easter Retreat Scotland 2012 Hun Yuan Qi Gong

Retreat/ Holiday Hun Yuan Qi Gong France July 2012