Levels

The work we teach is powerful so it’s important to have an idea of what level is appropriate for you. Students’ paths are never linear and don’t follow the same trajectory. We all come to a process of awakening with our own strengths and weaknesses, with parts of our lives that are well resourced and some more in the shadows. We each have our own unique flavours of Karma to digest. Our work is designed to accommodate this so, for example, two students in the same class might be doing the same piece of form but engaging with it from a different perspective and level of understanding.

Here is a guide to our three levels:

Level 1

Entry level

  • No prior experience necessary

  • Develop an awareness of Qi and Fluid flow

  • Awareness of breathing and how to work with tension in body and mind

  • Develop a sense of spaciousness and a wider field of awareness

  • Begin muscle tendon changing practice with key concepts, like working within your range of ease and finding points of balanced tension

  • Learn to negotiate arising conditions and stay centred and grounded, develop mindfulness, equanimity and know when to back off

  • Get familiar with the body’s self-healing capacity and how to engage it

Level 2

Going deeper

  • Previous Level 1 experience necessary

  • Explore the Three Dantien (San Bao)

  • Further reconditioning of the muscle tendon

  • Deeper enquiry into psycho-physiological patterning and how to release it safely

  • Clear confusion and static from the bodymind

  • Restore elasticity in the body, tendon and fascia rejuvenation

  • Define a clearer understanding of potency, what it is and how to access it on your own

  • Strengthen the Yi (wisdom mind)

  • Develop a personal relationship to Source, free from dogma

  • Define a personal practice that is flexible and suits your bodymind, current life conditions and goals

Level 3

Shen Dao

‘Cultivating the spirit of the Dao’

  • For experienced students

  • Deepen your understanding of the dynamics of form and formlessness, Yin/Yang, Taiji, Wuji etc.

  • Yi is firm enough to be able to effectively engage internal alchemy, working with the 5 elements and states of fusion – Samadhi

  • Sense breathing and deep absorption

  • Awaken our Buddha nature and the heart of compassion

  • Develop more advanced Nei Gong (internal) techniques to build potency using mind and breath and lead it through the bodymind - Guide, Lead & Listen

  • Take the practice beyond a practice…

Our teachings encompass embodied meditative movement and consciousness skills using standing forms, floor work and seated meditation.

All the elements of our work are part of a comprehensive practice that is designed to free you from patterns of tension in the bodymind and become more directly aligned with the primary forces of nature. Our style of teaching is fluid and no two classes are the same as we follow the flow of aliveness in the moment. We do however work consistently with cycles of movement and stillness. A core aim of the work is developing effective ways to surf the contours of your experience moment-to-moment without becoming overwhelmed or detached. This involves working with an awareness of breathing, mind states and body sensations.

The branches of our work include the following:

Daoyin Qigong

Daoyin means ‘The original healing way’ and Qigong means ‘life energy cultivation’

Standing Forms

From beginners to advanced we explore the dynamics of Qi flow, fluid dynamics, building potency and muscle tendon changing (Yi Jin Jing). We explore this using various forms such as:

  • Brocade Qigong forms like ‘Heaven and Earth’ which is a series of linked exercises that help to clear tension and stagnation from the bodymind and tonify the body building integrated strength.

  • Spiralling and flowing forms such as ‘Swimming Dragon’ which develop and refine an awareness of Qi flow and the dynamics of fluid potency.

  • Standing like a Tree (Zhan Zhuang). This work builds strength and power and helps realign the skeletal system, ligaments and joints.

Chair Form 

We have a series of forms designed for working seated on a chair. This is an effective way to work with both external meditative movement and a deepening sense of embodied presence, allowing you to follow the energy back to stillness. This practice gives our inherent biological intelligence space to regulate the bodymind and establish a new equilibrium.

Floor Form

Daoyin floor forms take the practice deeper into the body and opens and reconditions the muscle tendon and fascia. With encouragement to work within your personal range of ease you will learn to identify the sweet spot in any movement which allows you to stay connected to the fluid potency and your body’s resources. This practice will gradually restore more space in the body and rejuvenate the muscle tendon back to the bone.

Seated Meditation

All of our classes have a strong meditative dynamic at the core but seated meditation is a key part of our practice. This can be done on a meditation cushion and mat but can also be done from a chair if more comfortable. With this part of the work genuine insight and a deeper understanding of the mind and Qi develops over time.

Taiji

Taiji means ‘supreme ultimate’ or ‘infinite potential’

Spiralling Dragon Taiji

A beautiful Gathering Essence form with many twists and turns that combines all the elements of our work into a constantly evolving and deepening practice. The spiralling nature of the form is challenging yet rewarding as it reconditions the muscle tendon and joints into a more relaxed, stable and flexible vehicle for the soul. Practising this form over time has the potential to take you deeply into the true nature of Taiji and unite internal and external dynamics.