Introduction to Moving Meditation:
Tai Chi and Qigong

Saturday, February 1, 2019

10 a.m. to Noon
 

BACKGROUND

In general, the arts of tai chi and qigong were not originally developed in China as forms of moving meditation.

china-1013614_640.jpg

A host of qigong (energy skill) practices have been developed over the last few thousand years in China and elsewhere to enable people to gain more chi (qi) life energy. These practices have been designed and used for purposes ranging from improved health, to working longer, to martial arts, to medicine, to intellectual achievement, to business and political success, to enabling people to meditate more, etc. etc.

billrepulse500w copy.jpg

Tai chi was developed within the last few hundred years as a martial art based on qigong movement principles. Today most people don't know of its martial applications. Instead, it is widely practiced as a form of qigong for its health, balance, and relaxation benefits.

There were groups in China, however, who did focus on developing, using, and adapting forms of qigong and tai chi for meditation.

Among those groups were people involved in the Water Tradition of Taoism. Taoism is a Chinese philosophical, spiritual, and religious tradition which dates back thousands of years and which has many branches. Water Tradition Taoist practitioners have especially been interested in the spiritual and meditation aspects of Taoism.

bruce-frantzis-lineage-photo-.jpg

The moving meditation qigong and tai chi practices we teach come from this tradition. We learned these practices from Taoist Lineage Master Bruce Frantzis, who learned them in China from his teacher, the late Taoist Sage Liu Hung Chieh.

If you choose to practice tai chi and qigong as meditation with us, we will teach you three aspects of doing so -  mental focus, relaxation, and spiritual exploration.

You can choose which of these aspects are most important to you at any time.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

In this workshop you will learn:

  • about tai chi and qigong in general, and specifically about the Wu Style tai chi and Dragon & Tiger qigong systems that we teach;

  • how our weekly classes for health differ from our weekend workshops for meditation

  • a standing meditation practice in which you allow your body to align with gravity so you can relax and use less strength to stand or move;

  • the “tiger walks” qigong exercise for health from the first of the 7 movements of Dragon & Tiger qigong;

  • follow along with a tai chi form - a set of flowing movements that is the basic practice of Wu Style tai chi.

  • foundational Dragon & Tiger qigong as moving meditation presence practices for helping you train your mind to remain present (mindful) and relaxed when you are moving (or not); and

  • about the learning and meditation principles and philosophy of the Taoist Water Tradition. The core principle of the tradition is to learn to gradually relax and let go of your mind, body, and spirit so that you can flow - like water - with life, nature, and change.

PREREQUISITE

Everyone is welcome to attend. No experience is necessary.

INSTRUCTOR

Dan Winter

WHEN

Saturday, February 1, 2019

10 a.m. to Noon

FEE

$20

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT

Please click here to register online and pay by credit card through our website.

Or you may pay in person at our studio by check, cash, or credit card.

Or you may mail us a check with a registration form. Please click here for instructions and to download a registration form.

Please note that enrollment is limited, and we will not save you a space until we receive your payment. 

FUTURE WORKSHOPS

If you would like to be notified about future workshops, please click here to join our email list.

REFUND POLICY

  • If you pay for the workshop and are not able to attend due to an illness, emergency, or other circumstances beyond your control, then we will refund the fee you paid, minus a $10 administrative fee.

  • If you pay for the workshop and decide not to attend for any other reason, if we are able to fill your space with another student, then we will refund the fee you paid, minus a $10 administrative fee. Otherwise, we will not refund any of your fee.

  • In any of the above circumstances, instead of issuing of refund, we will be happy to hold your full fee as a credit to be used for classes or workshops with us in the future.