Autumn Series

Autumn Qigong & Neigong

August 4: Free Introduction

August 11 – October 13 (10 Weeks)

August 4~

In the Chinese Solar Calendar, Autumn “begins” on August 5th. The introduction class — Sunday August 4th, 7:00-8:30pm (EDT), will offer an overview of what we’ll learn together in the series and a ‘taste’ of the practices. It is a full class, not just a sales pitch. If you can’t attend live, register anyway and receive a link to the recording.

August 11 – October 13~

The Series is only 10 weeks this time because I will be in Japan October 18-30. Even though it will be 2 weeks shorter than usual, we’ll have plenty of time to deeply learn and practice together.

The Summer season of bounty and activity passes, and the Earth then makes the world more quiet. At the equinox the exuberant outward energy of Summer turns inward to prepare for the coming cold and dark of winter. The qi of Autumn is captured by the moment a tree lets go of its leaves. They are no longer needed and to keep them would waste its life force. Letting go is both ‘tree wisdom’ and Autumn wisdom. After the leaves fall to the earth, they are not wasted (nothing ever is). They compost and become protection of the ground and creatures living there and nourishment fueling the renewal of Spring. This letting go of what is no longer needed is essential preparation for rebirth, and renewal: Part of the annual cycle of life on Earth.

Practices~

The Five Elements will underpin the series with special attention to the Metal Element, the Breath, our Lungs and our Metal Emotions: Sadness, Grief and Courage.

–Our Main Qigong will be Kwan Yin Standing

Bringing imagery of the sea and sky, the moon and stars into its beautiful fluid movements, Kwan Yin Qigong is accessible and yet restorative and grounding. Its one of the sets from Master Li Jun Feng a contemporary Qigong founder.

We’ll call on the Elements for inner cultivation and self-healing

—The Six Sounds Practice

Returning to the foundations of cultivating a decidedly different way to live our emotions and wisdoms, Liu Ze Jue — or Six Healing Sounds — combine color, internal visioning, sound and movement to shift our burdensome emotions as we care for the energetics of our organs. Sometimes it’s dismissed because it seems so simple, but within that simplicity is a deep transformative power once we’re open to it.

–Self Chi Nei Tsang

Chi Nei Tsang is an abdominal massage modality that unties the energetic ‘knots’ we carry around in our belly created by stress, trauma or illness. Once untied, our organs relax and qi can flow better and with more vitality. This simplified self-care version gently brings the Six Sounds healing into the physical body.

–Bridging our Inner Elements to the Elemental Earth

At some point in our Qigong practice, it becomes important to turn outward in some way. A simple definition of Ritual is to bring what is inside us outward so this seems a resonant way to do just that. This part changes from series to series. This iteration will work with the elements –but in the outside world:

~The Wood Element lives inour Plant Kin, from mold to moss to trees.
~ The Fire Element is above us in the Sun, but also in our hearths and big elemental energies of the volcanos and lava.
~The Metal Element is in the ores in the Earth and the objects we make, but it is also the Mountains that hold Earth’s memories.
~The Water Element is in the rain, streams, rivers and oceans and in us — Our water is in the same percentage as the planet… And it’s been said that the salt content of our water reflects the ancient oceans we came from.
~ Lastly Earth Element. Everything transpires on Earth… One the planet Earth, but also on her dirt. This soil of life.

Tao Dream Practice…

As we move closer to the darkness of winter it feels natural to bring in the traditional Taoist ways to honor our dreamtime. We may not have the time to do dream journeying in class, but we can learn the steps to invite our dreams and even be more aware in them.

Tuition/Fee~

Included in your tuition are copious handouts covering context, background and practical step-by-step instructions. All classes are recorded and the recordings are posted privately for students. They are permanently available and a good way to practice between classes and onward.

If you miss a class and work from the video, you have the option of scheduling a 15-20 minute one-to-one with me for questions (about anything) and practice support.