Diving Into The Tao

Saturday & Sunday 2st & 22nd September

Both days: 7.30am-8.30am and 10am – 4pm
On Zoom or at Mill House Farm

A Replenishing Weekend of Qigong & Meditation

Through practising Qigong and Meditation we are able to embody the essence of the Tao Te Ching. Some of the chapters of the Tao that will be considered over the two days, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September, include this oft quoted chapter 67, one of my favourites. It starts:

Some say my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.

 Further down, Lao Tsu writes:

I have just three things to teach:
simplicity, patience, compassion.

Do join me and together we will unravel what often at first reading appears to be riddles and so can discover the richness of this life advice given to the world 2,500 years ago, yet still relevant today

‘As a complete newbie to both qigong and the tao te ching, I have found it to be an extraordinary learning of words, movement and mindfulness for all.  Once I understood with Sue’s help that I am my centre of my movement in Qigong, I am my energy, Qigong has opened up another world of exploration into my own self healing. Sue’s incorporation of movement to the text of the tao te ching is a unique experience, where all are able to create an exponential growth throughout the day. Thank you.’
Alice Jones, Participant, Diving Into the Tao, Saturdays 27 April & 25 May

For more years than I can remember I have been interested in the internal resonances of any posture and movement. I have memories from my dancing days of expanding my awareness to tune into the hidden language of, say, a simple port de bras, (flowing arm gesture,) and much more. How was the texture, shape and quality of the movement speaking to me? 

‘Thank you again for an amazing day of teaching yesterday. ‘Diving into the Tao’ was an extraordinary experience. Guided by your wisdom, the enigmatic words of LaoTzu were embodied through a marriage with fluid simple Qi Gong movements. It was deeply poetic. I am really looking forward to building on the experience in the days that follow in May and June.’
Aideen Naughton, participant in Diving Into The Tao, Saturday 27 April

I knew that the technique of the dance was never the end in itself but a bridge to refine its significance to resonate through non-verbal communication within me and all who witness it.

Qigong, like dance, has the same resonances of meaning ingrained within it. As do all our postural expressions, conscious and unconscious. This is often called ‘body language’

One aid to unravelling that meaning held in Qigong postures is by reflecting on Lao Tsu’s Tao Te Ching. Using this as a guide to our practice enables the wisdom of our intellectual and embodied minds to come together, enriching our experience immeasurably.

Those of you come to the regular Qigong classes will have heard me from time to time reading a chapter from the Tao Te Ching at the end of a class. This timeless 2,500 year old classic contains insights that offer an understanding of the philosophies, subtle elements and enigmatic qualities of the art of Qigong.

I am delightedly looking forward to be holding this extra weekend of Diving Into The Tao on 21st and22nd September. We will reflect on several chapters that support a deeper understanding of our practice and the philosophies behind the movements. Do come, do not be concerned if you haven’t been to one of the previous Diving Into The Tao days of this short series – and you could purchases copies of the previous three days if you wish.

The Tao Te Ching is one way to access the subtle variations of Qi, our life force energy. Another way is visual. The photo, above, of a sunrise here at Mill House Farm. The early morning mist rising off the pond illustrates beautifully the differing aspects of Qi, or life force energy.

In Chinese script the pictogram for Qi is 走, representing steam rising from rice. Steam is a form of water. Water is also solid in the form of ice, as well as a liquid. Qi is similar in having different forms: ‘Jing’ – essence or solid, ‘Qi’ – breath or life force and fluid,  and ‘Shen’ – spirit or invisible, all are Qi. In our practice we experience all three forms: substantial, fluid and invisible. 

This flowing, watery quality helps us to cultivate our Qi and tap into the well of limitless energy. This quote from Chapter 36 of the Tao Te Ching illuminates the power of fluidity:

The soft overcomes the hard.
The slow overcomes the fast.

Please do join me for the final two days of this course to open windows of insight into the philosophical root of our Qigong practice. There is no need to have attended before, and the recordings of the previous three days are available to purchase. 

Contact me to secure your place;

Course fee:  £90 for both days, best. Or £45 each day.
For those who attended before: £60 for both days 

Zoom link is sent to participants pre-course.
For those who do wish to participate but cannot attend, I shall be recording each day so can send those who have paid their course fee a copy of each day of the course.

Cancellations:
Full refund if made at least one week prior to the day.
Otherwise 50% of course fee will be refunded.
No refund if cancelled on the day of the course

‘Thank you for the Lao Tzu workshop yesterday. …it was both calming and invigorating. It was a treat to have you reading the translated text as we did the movements. I look forward to the next one. And to re-visiting the text/movement sections on the recording.’
Linda Tillman, participant in Diving Into The Tao