Workshops
Workshops on Internal Chinese Self-healing arts
See Registration Page for Scheduled Workshops
Workshop Details
Not currently scheduled.
Stress and how to manage it are all too common problems in our fast-paced daily lives. Too much to do with too little time in which to do it leads to an accumulation of tension, stress, and associated physical and emotional impacts. Conquer your stress with relaxed breathing techniques, optimized body posture, and focused intention that can help you rebalance your body's energy and release stagnant energy, stress, and tension.
This workshop includes:
- Details of proper stance and body alignment to facilitate release of tension and stress.
- Natural, Diaphragmatic breathing techniques to optimize the intake of oxygen, improve oxygenation of the blood, and enhance circulation.
- Qigong movement to balance the body's energy and release stress and tension on a daily basis.
- Simple meditative techniques using breath and imagery to regain mental balance.
- Ways to identify your body's stress indicators and develop strategies for ongoing daily stress management.
Not currently scheduled.
Probably the lesser known of the two major taiji ruler sets to have survived to the present day. This ancient Taoist qigong set helps us gather qi to enhance our health and merge our qi with the original qi of the universe to achieve vitality and longevity. This exercise system will enhance dan tian awareness, encourage the movement and transformation of jing, blood, and qi and help the practitioner improve their martial arts and healing power and improve health and quality of life.
This workshop includes:
- The history and origins of the two most common taiji ruler sets.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using generic physical taiji rulers.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion and pictures of each of the Primordial Ruler exercises.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
Not currently scheduled
A rare and powerful qigong from the ancient Taoist tradition, this exercise system blends the primordial energy of Heaven and Earth with the energy of life within the body to achieve vitality and longevity. This qigong will help the practitioner improve their martial arts and healing power and improve health and quality of life. Exercises differ slightly from the Primordial (Hunyuan) Taiji Ruler set.
This workshop includes:
- The history and origins of the Primordial Qigong set.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using instructor-led teaching and practice.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion, and pictures of each of the Primordial Qigong exercises.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
Not currently scheduled
The first and most widely known of the two major taiji ruler sets to have survived to present day. Slightly different than the lesser-known Primordial Ruler, this set helps us gather qi to enhance our health and achieve vitality and longevity. This exercise system will enhance dan tian awareness, encourage the movement and transformation of jing, blood, and qi and help the practitioner improve their martial arts and healing power and improve health and quality of life.
This workshop includes:
- The history and origins of the two most common taiji ruler sets.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using instructor led teaching and practice. Use of a physical taiji ruler is optional in this system.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion and pictures of each of the Primordial Ruler exercises.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
Not currently scheduled
We've all heard profound tips and guidance from our own teachers and various masters we've encountered in workshops and other events on how to guide our bodies to the optimal position to enhance our martial and energetic skills. This workshop consolidates more than 30 of these tips gathered from class and workshop notes from more than 28 years of study. You may have heard some of them before - but here they all are in one place, at one time, in a deck of cards you can use in your daily practice. Practicing your form on a daily basis with one or more of these focal points will profoundly improve your Tai Chi, your health and your energy balance.
This workshop includes:
- A simple approach to practicing your Tai Chi forms using the Focus Your Form list.
- The list itself and a deck of cards with more than 30 focal points for your use.
- Practical application of each tip using pieces of your own Tai Chi form.
- Tips for implementing a daily practice.
- Questions. feedback and discussion.
A simple approach to practicing your Tai Chi forms using the Focus Your Form list.
Not currently scheduled.
These eight exercises are an elegant, graceful, and essential method to improve our flexibility, health, and Qi Cultivation. Although first described in an eighth-century Taoist text they are generally attributed to a twelfth-century Chinese general named, Marshal Yeuh Fei. These gentle stretching exercises help lengthen the muscles and tendons and stimulate the meridians and internal organs. This is an excellent set to begin any qigong or tai chi workout.
This workshop includes:
- Discussion of the history and origins of this wonderful qigong.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using instructor led teaching and practice.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion and pictures of each of the Eight Brocade Qigong exercises.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
Complete cycle of all five animal exercises offered 4/18-6/17/2021, Mansfield Community Center - 860-429-3015.
Come play with these wonderful 1800-year-old Chinese health and healing qigong exercises. Attributed to Hua Tuo (CE 207), the father of Chinese medicine, we'll learn and play with each of the five Animals individually as listed below. These have been used for hundreds of years as preventive exercises to keep the body healthy and prevent disease. Each has been overtime associated with individual organ health but all should be considered together as a complete health system. Come play with us and seek the spirit of the animals to restore well-being and maintain health.
All of these workshops include the following parts:
- Discussion of the history and origins of these wonderful qigong exercises.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using instructor led teaching and practice.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion, and pictures of each of the Five Animal Qigong exercises.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
The Crane opens the gates of the spine and the major connecting channels of the body. The Crane is light and soaring, calm, and tranquil and opens and stretches the sinews. Look for the Crane to be graceful, standing like a tall pine, opening its wings and soaring into the clouds and can serve as a gentle warm up to the entire Animal Frolics system.
The Bear creates leg strength and develops the energy of the kidneys, the body's fundamental source of vitality. The Bear fortifies the liver and bones and is the energetic and healing compliment of the Crane. Look for the Bear to be ponderous, solid, and stable but with a surprising lightness and agility. After practicing the Bear for some time, the kidneys and legs will be greatly strengthened and the spleen and stomach harmonized.
We'll teach the Monkey and the Tiger, the shortest of the five-movement sequences, together.
The Monkey is quick-witted, alert and nimble but conceals a watchful calm and focus. We will work to incorporate the Monkey's agility and flexibility with balanced, quick movements while maintaining an underlying inner peaceful calm. Play with the Monkey's sense of mischief and with its lightning speed and appreciate its internal element of stability.
The Tiger is the most external and dynamic of the five—fierce and awesome, the king of
the animals, externally strong, inwardly supple, deliberate and calculating. Tiger moves like a whirlwind yet is tranquil like the moon. We'll play with the spirited eyes and fierce claws of the animal and seek to replicate its awe-inspiring power. Over time, continued practice of the Tiger will greatly increase our strength both internally and externally.
The Deer helps to stretch and open the spine and the legs with its relaxed yet proudly erect and extended movements. Look to develop natural and free movements without constraint or tension. Practicing the Deer helps to circulate the inner energy (Qi) from the base of the spine through the top of the crown. Over time this exercise can help you feel the sensation of energy in the Governing vessel and develop flexibility in the bones and sinews.
Not currently scheduled.
Come play with the first walking movement of each of these five wonderful qigong exercises. Attributed to Hua Tuo (CE 207), the father of Chinese medicine, we'll play with one exercise from each of the five Animals. These have been used for hundreds of years as preventive exercises to keep the body healthy and prevent disease. Come play with us and seek the spirit and healing qualities of the animals.
Not currently scheduled.
A valuable Yang Family exercise for strengthening and mobilizing the Qi first described in print by Chen Yen-lin about 1930 based on Yang family documents. "Taiji Qigong allows the sinews and bones to be stretched and expanded, causing the blood and qi to unite, increasing the internal energy." Come experience this powerful health enhancing, qi cultivation exercise. Master Jou Tsung Hwa told his students this was the most important Qigong exercise they could learn. You'll want to add this one to your qigong repertoire.
This workshop includes:
- Learn the history and intriguing origin of how this wonderful qigong exercise was brought out to the public.
- Detailed instruction and practice of the set using instructor-led teaching and practice.
- Handout with instructions, movements, ranges of motion, and pictures for this simple yet profound qigong exercise.
- Discussion and time for questions and feedback.
Not currently scheduled.
In coiling silk, various parts of the body turn slowly on a stable axis, like the unwinding of a silk cocoon. These exercises gently open and close the joints, improve posture and breathing, and develop resilience and supple strength, stimulating life force (qi) to flow without obstruction. This is an excellent practice for personal well-being and a great complement to Yoga, Tai Chi, and other movement practices.
This workshop includes:
- History and benefits of Coiling Silk practice.
- Details of proper posture and body alignment to enhance the body's coiling movements.
- Detailed teaching of the 20 movement Coiling Silk set with handout.
- Tips for building and maintaining your Qigong practice.
Not currently scheduled.
Cultivating Qi (Life-force Energy) is one of the most widely known yet least practiced arts in the Qi Gong practitioner's repertoire. Standing, walking and seated Qi Gong exercises are simple yet intense techniques for building and cultivating our life force energy (Qi) which can produce profound results in our overall health and well-being. These exercises are easy to learn and can have a significant positive impact on our health and can enhance benefits we receive from Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and other practices.
This workshop includes:
- History and benefits of Zhan Zhuang (Standing Post) practice.
- Stages of standing, walking, and seated Qi Cultivation.
- Details of proper posture and body alignment to enhance Qi Cultivation.
- Simple postures that facilitate cultivation and movement of Qi throughout the body.
- Tips for building and maintaining your practice.
Not currently scheduled.
Learn how movement, breath, healing sounds, and intention can be used to tonify and detoxify our body’s organs. Workshop includes simple stance, movement, breathing, toning, and focused intention techniques to cleanse and detoxify the organs to improve long term health and wellbeing. Workshop will include the active healing sounds of the Mount Hua set, the Six Qi Meditation’s seated healing sounds and a method to expel toxins from the entire body.
Not currently scheduled.
The cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine is seeking balance in the body's energy system and eliminating excesses, deficiencies, and stagnation. This workshop includes Qigong fundamentals and an overview of the body's energy systems and uses these frameworks to aid in better understanding of how energy balancing works.
Learn simple stance, movement, and breathing techniques to help balance your body's energy for improved health and emotional balance. Come away with some simple exercises to help balance your Qi (life force energy) and a sense of how Qigong can play a role in your long-term health and
well-being.
Workshop includes:
- Overview of the body's energy systems (Vessels, Channels & Collaterals, Connective Tissue System).
- Aligning the body to facilitate easy release of muscle tension, stress, and stagnation.
- Optimal breathing techniques to improve the body's intake of oxygen and enhance circulation.
- Exercises to enhance the body's energy including: Whole Body Breathing; Smoothing Qi and Small Circulation.
Not currently scheduled.
Learn exercises to improve how we center and focus in preparation for healing, energy work or just working with our Taji and Qigong for our own benefit. These exercises are easy to learn and you can add one or both of them to your repertoire of preparation and centering routine. You'll appreciate how quickly these exercises will help you focus your body, mind, and spirit in preparation for energy work.
This workshop includes:
- Simple stance and breathing exercises to facilitate freer energy movement throughout the body.
- One Finger Zen exercise to focus mind and body.
- Shen Gong Standing exercise to sync up body, mind, and breath.
- Short one minute “Quick Recharge” exercise.
- Time permitting, we will play with a number of energy, listening and healing techniques.
QIGONG INTENSIVE - A 4-PART QIGONG WORKSHOP SERIES FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING -
SILVER DRAGON SPECIAL PRICING: $50 per session or $175 for the 4-part series. Pre-registration required.
Not currently scheduled.
The cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine is seeking balance in the body's energy system and eliminating excesses, deficiencies, and stagnation. This workshop includes Qi Gong fundamentals and an overview of the body's energy system (Vessels, Channels, and Collaterals) and uses this framework to aid in better understanding how energy balancing works.
Learn simple stance, movement, and breathing techniques to help balance your body's energy for improved health and emotional balance. Come away with some simple exercises to help balance your Qi (life force energy) and a sense of how Qi Gong can play a role in your long-term health and
well-being.
Workshop includes:
- Overview of the body's energy system (Vessels, Channels & Collaterals.
- Aligning the body to facilitate easy release of muscle tension, stress, and stagnation.
- Natural, Diaphragmatic breathing techniques to optimize the body's intake of oxygen and enhance circulation.
- Exercises to enhance the body's energy including: Whole Body Breathing, Smoothing Qi, and Small Circulation.
Not currently scheduled.
This workshop includes a simple overview of the body's immune system as viewed in Chinese and Western systems along with material on the body's major energy vessels. We'll use this framework as an aid to understanding how energy vessel and focused intention exercises can help us cleanse our bone marrow, strengthen our bones, and enhance the effectiveness of our body's immune system. Learn simple stance, movement, breathing, and focused intention techniques to help strengthen your whole body and have a positive impact on your long-term health and well-being.
This workshop includes:
- Simple overview of the immune system in Traditional Chinese Medicine & Qigong.
- Review of the body's major energy vessels.
- The role of intention in health and healing.
- Bone marrow washing, bone breathing and compression exercises for stronger bones and immune system.
Not currently scheduled.
This workshop builds on the Fundamentals workshop, works more with the 12 primary channels, and introduces the Five Element Theory and its consideration in health and healing. We'll use this framework as an aid to understanding how sound, movement, breath, and intention can be used to tonify and detoxify our body’s organs. Learn simple stance, movement, breathing, and focused intention techniques to cleanse and detoxify the organs to improve your long-term health and well-being.
This workshop includes:
- A review of previous workshop’s materials to address any questions.
- A more detailed look at the body’s 12 primary channels.
- Introduction and practice with the Five Element (Phase) Theory and how it applies to qigong and healing.
- The Active Healing Sounds and Six Qi Meditation sound healing exercises.
- An exercise for expelling any toxins released by the healing sounds from the body.
- An overview of other methods for smoothing imbalances and releasing stagnation and toxins.
Not currently scheduled
Cultivating Qi (Life-force Energy) is one of the most widely known yet least practiced arts in the Qi Gong practitioner's repertoire. Standing, walking, and seated Qi Gong exercises are simple yet intense techniques for building and cultivating our life force energy (Qi) which can produce profound results in our overall health and well-being. These exercises are easy to learn and can have a significant positive impact on our health and can enhance benefits we receive from Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and other practices.
This workshop includes:
- History and benefits of Zhan Zhuang (standing post) practice.
- Stages of standing and Qi Cultivation.
- Details of proper posture and body alignment to enhance Qi Cultivation.
- Simple postures that facilitate cultivation and movement of Qi throughout the body.
- Tips for building and maintaining your practice.
- History and benefits of Zhan Zhuang practice
- Stance and breathing postures to facilitate Qi cultivation
- Yi Chuan standing and walking Qi Gong exercises
Small Circulation seated meditation exercise tips on beginning or improving your own practice