Let’s expand! May 9th, 10th, 11th 2025 (Friday > Sunday).
About the course: the body work
This course will be a continuation of the work we began on my February weekend, though you don’t need to have come to it. We will focus on building the right shapes and mechanisms within the body; on making more space; weaving together mind and body, expanding. We will harness the energy of springtime to help us mobilise and open up. The weekend will include:
- Active ‘workout’ to mobilise, strengthen and open the body.
- Qi gong exercises, moving meditation
- Optional long guided meditations, and shorter simple meditation exercises during our sessions
You will slow down, experience more vibrancy, and feel a greater sense of connection to 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, an external Saturday afternoon workshop lead by Lisa Loader, a local Cranio Sacral therapist, focusing on the mind; and a group walk in Dorset.
About Lisa’s workshop: Biodynamic Cranio-sacral Therapy is light but potent touch therapy that connects to bodily rhythms to deeply listen. When the body is relaxed, listened to, and surrounded by conscious presence, new resources and connections can be carefully tapped into and the body can find ways of restoring health, and balance. Lisa will lead a ‘Connection Equals Flow’ workshop – exploring simple methods of self treating using the cranio-sacral system and the philosophy behind this form of therapy.
Location
The training will take place in Bridport, Dorset at the Glow Collective (Saturday and Sunday. Friday tbc). Bridport 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.
Food and accommodation
Accommodation: accommodation is not included in the cost of the course.
This time we will have an ‘accommodation board‘ (an online excel sheet)… where, if you are local and would be willing to host someone, you can advertise your room there. People who are looking to be hosted can then reach out to you directly if they’d like to stay with you. We suggest a recommended rate of £55 for two nights including a simple breakfast, although if you did wish to charge another rate, we leave that up to you. If you are from out of town, you’re welcome to either organise your own accommodation, or reach out to someone on the community accommodation ‘board’. We will leave it up to you to do the contacting, organising, matching. There are many other options locally (Airbnb, hotels and camping).
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.
Timetable
Friday: 5pm – 7pm: training. // 8pm: dinner // 9pm optional group discussion, talk or game depending on energy levels
Saturday: 7 – 8.15am optional meditation (can join online or in person). // 10 – 12.30 movement // 1.30 – 2.30 – lunch (maybe at the beach if we have good weather!) // 3 – 4pm movement // 4 – 5.30pm Cranio sacral therapy group workshop with Lisa // 7pm – dinner // 8pm – 9pm – group evening session (group discussions, philosophical chats, talk on Taoism / Chinese arts and body)
Sunday: 7 – 8.15am optional meditation (can join online or in person). // 10 – 1pm movement // 1.30 – 2.30 – lunch // 3 – 5pm – group walk for those who can stay
Monday morning: optional sauna for people who want to stay an extra night (£10 per person)
Additional options
Therapeutic sessions: Come a day or two early or stay a day or two late and have a therapeutic session with local practitioners.
Tamsin: Acupuncture and Tui Na
Jules: Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Life Coaching
Cost: Operating on a sliding scale, prices cover food and workshops, but do not include accommodation. The subsidised price is intended for people who are not home / land owners in the UK; and earn less than £24k a year; or who are on benefits / state pension. However, life brings all sorts of challenges and I don’t ask for details – so please do request this option if you are in need. There are limited subsidised spots available. If the listed prices still feel inaccessible to you, but you’d really like to come, please let me know, as I’d like to find ways to include whoever wants to be there.
Normal price: £180
Patron price: £250
Subsidised price: £140
Volunteer spots available, please enquire for more information.
Please also note that 10% of profits will go to Medicine for Palestine.
Tamsin Ana 