Make space in the body, make space in the mind: January 31st, Feb 1st, Feb 2nd.
About the course: the body work
In the Chinese body arts, we begin by opening the body up. We want to open up the whole system– making space in the chest, the joints; becoming bigger, more expansive. We want a longer spine; open shoulders; open hips. This helps the whole system: circulation can flow more easily throughout the body and joints; the organs have more space; we can breathe deeper. Tension releases, and the mind becomes more spacious, more expansive.
In this weekend course, we will start at the beginning, using Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises to open up the body. We will do some simple meditation exercises, and begin to explore what ‘moving meditation’ means.
These exercises are intended to weave together mind and body, and to open both up. After the weekend you should feel more present within your body; and as though you have ‘worked open’ some dusty corners of the body and mind. You will likely experience a sense of slowing down, of more vibrancy, and of connecting with the present moment through the body.
These exercises are very good preparatory work for those who may wish to dive deeper into Chinese body arts. They are also good for people who simply want to enjoy being in their bodies a little more, or a little differently, and who are curious to see what it feels like to move their bodies in this way; to see what effect this way of being in the body has on the mind. They are good for those looking to find peace.
What else
To complement the body work, we will also have two additional activities: firstly, a group walk in Dorset, if the weather is ok, on the open Dorset hills or by the sea. Secondly, we will have a workshop run by Jules, which will be focused on ‘enjoying space in the mind’. Jules is trained in Hypnotherapy and NLP, and her sessions are playful and creative opportunities for changing how we operate. They offer a chance to ‘rewire’ and explore how we can approach life from a different, more spacious perspective than the one we usually inhabit. (I have found her work to be a powerful agent of change and growth in my life). Alongside all of this ‘activity’, we will also be connecting: meeting each other, sharing food.
Location
The training will take place in Bridport, Dorset. Venue of classes to be announced (in Bridport). This is a beautiful and creative market town on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, nestled in rolling hills and close to several beaches famous for dramatic cliffs and fossils. I’m excited to introduce people from out of town to this special part of the world, which has been a place of great nourishment for me.
Food and accommodation
Accommodation: accommodation is not included in the cost of the course. I am hoping to develop a ‘community accommodation offer’: if you are local and would be willing to host someone, you could earn £55 for hosting someone for two nights including a simple breakfast. If you are from out of town, you’re welcome to either organise your own accommodation, or request community accommodation, for £55 for two nights. I will try and match people up. Otherwise, there are many options locally (Airbnb, hotels).
Breakfast: to be organised independently.
Lunches and dinners: simple home cooked food. There will be a rota to help prepare a meal each, and to help clean up for one meal.
Food will be vegetarian. Let me know any dietary requirements. We will be eating some of our meals at the wonderful home of Lisa, who is also available for Cranio-Sacral therapy sessions before or after the course (see below for more details).
Timetable
Friday: 5.30pm: meet and greet // 6.30pm – 7.30pm: movement // 8pm: dinner
Saturday: 9 – 12.30 movement and meditation (with breaks!) // 1.30 – 2.30 – lunch // 3.30 – 5.30 – Enjoy space in the mind. (Jules’s session) // 7pm – dinner // 8.30pm – 10pm – group evening session (movement + meditation)
Sunday: 9 – 12.30 movement and meditation (with breaks!) // 1.30 – 2.30 – lunch // 3 – 5pm – group walk for those who can stay
Additional options
Therapeutic sessions: Come a day or two early or stay a day or two late and have a therapeutic session with Tamsin, Lisa before and/or after the course. (£55 a session, 1h). Or, with Jules, either in person or available via Zoom (£65 for the first session).
Tamsin: Acupuncture and Tui Na
Jules: Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Life Coaching
Extra training: If you are travelling from far and would like a day (or two!) of additional training, let me know. If there are a few people interested in this, we could organise this collectively, or else I can let you know the cost for some private sessions.
Cost: Operating on a sliding scale.
Normal price: £150 for the weekend (not including accommodation).
Patron price: £200 (not including accommodation).
Subsidised price: £110 (for those who cannot afford full price, limited spots available)
2 volunteer places available, ask me for more info
Tamsin Ana 