Tai Chi and Qigong Weekends

"What a weekend.. relaxing, invigorating, enabling and also wonderful"
- Paul, Surrey

The 2012 Weekend Programme offers you high quality input, in a beautiful location with flexible options.

You can now enjoy these workshops at the wonderful setting of Dartington - a centre for arts and events based around a medieval hall, landscaped gardens and high quality, modern studio spaces. A range of accommodation is available on site or nearby to suit all budgets. All of our weekends are available as non-residential courses, at very reasonable cost.

Teachers: Luke Shepherd | Matthew Rochford | Joe Salmon | Chris Waters | Mike Potter

Venue, directions, accommodation

REVISED DATES
Embrace Tiger Return To Mountain
15th, 16th, 17th June

This weekend will guide you step by step through a set of key Tai Chi principles and equip you to begin or develop your Tai Chi practise.

From getting to grips with the Form (37 Cheng Man Ching) and the 5 Loosening Exercises, to understanding some of the more subtle aspects of practise, this weekend is ideal for those wanting to gain the benefits of Tai Chi according to tried and tested methods.

As Tai Chi encompasses movement, meditation, inner development and a deepening of awareness in many ways, Matthew will teach you how to find more fulfilment and clarity in your Tai Chi and your life. Drawing on his 20 years of experience he will guide each person to find these benefits for themselves.

"To me, Embracing the Tiger and Returning to the Mountain means to wholeheartedly accept the challenges of life and develop a self discipline that enables us to do this successfully. These weekends will help you gain these immense benefits in an easy to understand way"

Teacher: Matthew Rochford
Level: Beginners, improvers and intermediate
Covering: 5 Loosening Exercises, 37 Short Form, Partner Work
Studio 1.

Pricing
Whole weekend: £70. Fridays: £12. Saturday: £42. Sunday: £21.

Timings
Friday: 7pm-9pm. Saturday: 10am-5pm. Sunday: 10am to 1pm.
Book

The Art Of Sword and Qigong
14th, 15th, 16th September

The Jian (Tai Chi Sword) Form is graceful and beautiful and trains us how to extend our awareness, flow and feel at one with the sword. On this weekend you will gain the benefits of the 16 or 32 Move Form and some of the underlying principles. You can learn the 16 Form in a weekend - so this event is great if you want to get a whole sequence under your belt. The 32 Form is more demanding, but really worthwile too. You will also learn some great Qigong onm this weekend to help you develop your health and wellbeing. If you do this weekend, you may want to also consider the "Anything Goes" weekend in December to refine your practice.

Teachers: Chris Waters and Joe Salmon
Level: Beginners and improvers.
Covering: Tai Chi Jian 16 and 32 Movement Forms, Shi Ba Shi (Tai Chi Qigong).
Studio 6.

Pricing
Whole weekend: £90. Fridays: £12. Saturday: £42. Sunday: £42.

Timings
Friday: 7pm-9pm. Saturday: 10am-5pm. Sundays: 10am-5pm.
Book

Relax, Sink, Empty
26th, 27th, 28th October

Being stable and relaxed are prerequisites for Tai Chi and give far reaching benefits for our daily life. The training methods to refine stability demand a lucid understanding of subtle changes inside the body and mind, not simply movements or postures.

The prime focus of the training over the weekend will be be on understanding subtle muscle changes instigated by "yi" or deep mind intention. As these are inner aspects given by the Tai Chi Classics, rather than outer forms, the workshop is open to all styles. Luke has been training Taiji for nearly 30 years and is a student of Patrick Kelly. He offers a far reaching insight into the inner workings, creating an inspiring yet challenging opportunity to refine your training.

Teacher: Luke Shepherd
Level: Intermediate and advanced
Covering: 5 Loosening Exercises, 37 Short Form, Partner Work
Studio 6.

Pricing
£100 for the whole weekend. Friday: £15. Saturday: £45. Sunday: £45.

Timings
Fridays 7pm-9pm. Saturdays 10am-5pm. Sundays 10am-5pm.
Book

First Steps For Beginners and Improvers
23rd, 24th, 25th November

This weekend will be a comprehensive exploration of the Shibashi (18 movement) Qigong set and the Compact Tai Chi Form It will give a great grounding in each of these arts.

Whether a total beginner or more experienced this is a rare chance to learn and practice this amazingly beneficial Qigong sequence in depth under the eyes of experienced teachers of this art and Chinese Medicine.

The Compact Tai Chi form is an ideal beginner’s Form that contains within it some essential principles of Tai Chi. It is accessible and this weekend provides the chance to begin learning it in detail or to revisit it and improve your practice with clear guidance and instruction. Either way the chi will flow and you will enjoy the many benefits.

Teachers: Joe Salmon and Mike Potter.
Level: Beginners and improvers.
Covering: 24 Posture Compact Form, Shi Ba Shi (Tai Chi Qigong), Chinese Medicine, Daoyin and Self Massage.
Studio 6.

Pricing
Whole weekend: £90. Fridays: £12. Saturday: £42. Sunday: £42.

Timings
Friday: 7pm-9pm. Saturday: 10am-5pm. Sundays: 10am-5pm.
Book

Anything Goes
7th, 8th, 9th December

This weekend will cover the whole syllabus including the 24 and 37 Forms, Sword, Qigong, Chinese Medicine and Partner Exercises. It is designed for all levels from complete beginner to advanced and will feature tailored input depending on what you wish to learn. This is possible as we will have more than one teacher involved - giving you workshops that can really support you to get the most from the weekend.

Level: Beginner, improver, intermediate
Teachers: Matthew Rochford, Chris Waters, Joe Salmon, Mike Potter
Covering (choose from): 24 Posture Compact Form, Shi Ba Shi (Tai Chi Qigong), Chinese Medicine, Daoyin and Self Massage, 5 Loosening Exercises, 37 Short Form, Partner Work, Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi Jian (16 and 32 Movement Form).
Studio 6.

Pricing
Whole weekend: £90. Fridays: £12. Saturday: £42. Sunday: £42.

Timings
Friday: 7pm-9pm. Saturday: 10am-5pm. Sundays: 10am-5pm.
Book

Levels (a rough guide)
Generally its hard to classify oneself into these categories, as it's not just time in years its also how much time spent practising. However this guide will give you an idea at least, so you can choose the right weekend for you.

Beginner - complete newbies up to 12 months experience
Improver - 12 months to 2/3 years experience
Intermediate - 2/3 years to 10 years experience
Advanced - more than 10 years experience

Venue, directions, accommodation, food options etc