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Oxford Internal Arts Retreat
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Oxford Internal Arts RetreatsAugust 8th – 12th 2009 & September 19th – 23rd 2009With Gio MaschioABOUT THE RETREATSThe material in both retreats builds on the foundational practices of Taoist Breathing, Standing Neigong*, Dragon & Tiger Qigong, and basic spinal work, to open, relax and integrate your body, strengthen and smooth your energy, and reduce agitation, frustration and stagnation in the mind and emotions. All of the material will be taught from the perspective not only of health, but also meditation, to enable the practitioners to work with their mind and emotions and render their internal world more coherent, relaxed and open as they practice. During both retreats there will be introductory evenings to Taoist Sitting Meditation and the Art of Ba Gua, where the meditation principles of the I Ching are put into practice. A minimum of one term’s experience with Oxford Internal Arts or equivalent is needed to attend. If you are a complete beginner, please contact us as we may be able to offer some private lessons to cover the groundwork necessary for the retreat. (*Neigong is a form of deep qigong - it works the core energies in the body as well as the superficial lines worked by qigong) FIRST RETREAT: August 8th – 12th 2009OPENING THE ENERGY GATES NEIGONG WITH TAOIST MOVING MEDITATIONThis retreat includes sitting, standing and moving practices, as well as techniques drawn from Taoist Moving Meditation to increase your ability to work with the mind and emotions in these practices. In the “stillness practices” of sitting and standing qigong, the technique of “dissolving” energy blockages is introduced, where you learn how to directly let go of the contracted energy and mental state which bind tension into the body. This enables the body and its energy to directly open in ways practitioners usually have never experienced before, and can enable practitioners to release tense habits they have held for many years, yielding a physically and emotionally more open and lively practitioner! Care will be taken to instill good “dissolving” habits to yield gentle and successful practice and also release the emotions. In terms of moving practices, Energy Gates includes Cloud Hands, three “Swings” to activate different areas of the body, and the Taoist Spine Stretch. These are excellent for:
For video footage and further descriptions, please click here, and here. There will be Two Groups: The first will be for those with less than one year's experience of qigong as taught by BK Frantzis, Oxinar or equivalent. The second will be for those with more experience. Contact me if you have any doubts. SECOND RETREAT: September 19th - 23rd 2009GODS PLAYING IN THE CLOUDS NEIGONGGods Playing in the Clouds is the most complete neigong set taught by BK Frantzis. Its main function is to enable all your energies to work together without strain - to "earth" you. You gradually learn to fold more and more internal components into "Gods" (e.g. the opening and closing of the joints, twisting of the tissues, Taoist breathing, the bowing of the spine etc). As these start to work together through this very circular, continuous form, the energies of the body are brought into unity, producing balance and acceptance. Those with previous experience of “Gods” will also integrate basic elements of Taoist Meditation into the form, especially to feel and balance the emotions. For footage and more complex information, please click here. There will be Two Groups: The First Group will learn the 6 basic circular movements of "Gods", using them especially to release tension from the shoulders & pelvis, hands & feet, the whole back and front of the upper body, and to some extent the spine, joints and internal organs. We will also integrate elements of Taoist Breathing and basic elements of Taoist Meditation. The Second Group will be expected to know the movements, and to have a good knowledge of basic neigong (at least two years of regular neigong practice). This group will go deeper into Gods, especially the integrational, balancing and meditational aspects. ATTENDANCE DETAILSEach retreat is 5 days long and is designed as a whole. People who attended our last retreat will know that they are designed to peak on day 3&4 and fully integrate by the end of day 5. There again, doing just a day or a weekend can be very useful, as people who have attended one day seminars and weekends will also know. You may attend day 1, 1+2, 1+2+3, 1+2+3+4, or all 5 days. If you'd like to arrange something different, please email me to see if we can work that out, and email me ASAP to let me know if you'd like to attend.. TIMING OF THE DAYSThe days will run from 10am – 1pm, and from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. This will allow plenty of time for lunch and a rest in the middle of the day. PRICESThe retreats will cost: £50 each day for the first 2 days you attend;
Full time students pay £35 per day throughout. WEATHERIf the weather is good… we will practise outside when appropriate! If not, indoors. FOODGood food is available at nearby shops and restaurants, and there are some great picnic areas if it is good weather. LOCATIONBoth retreats will be held in Central Oxford, and mostly at Wolfson College. Map and directions for Wolfson College. The first day of each retreat however will be held at the Old Fire Station (OFS) on George Street in central Oxford - map of OFS. PARKINGParking is free at Wolfson College and in numerous bays and single yellow lines around town on Sundays. For the Saturdays at OFS, for information on parking in central Oxford, click here. The OFS is a 10 minute walk from the train station, and there are also park & ride services running frequently. For information on getting to the OFS, please see the OFS website. ACCOMMODATIONFor self-catering, B&B, hotels etc, try this link. For budget accommodation try this link. If you require further help finding accommodation during the retreats, please email for advice. BOOKINGPlease LET ME KNOW ASAP if you wish to attend, and if you have any other queries. |