qigong
I attended a most amazing Chi Gung workshop this morning (March 2016) with Peter Browne.I was introduced to Chi Gung by my Shiatsu teacher Elaine Liechti in Glasgow in 1989/90 and followed it up with classes with Chris Osbourne (my legs shook so hard I thought I was about to explode!), and Daverick Legget (this was where I learned the 5 element chi gung which I use with all my students), and then often with the late Chris Jarmey (at Shiatsu Society congress and mentoring weekends etc). I did some terms with Sarah Long at The Salisbury Centre years ago, and it turns out that Daverick and Sarah both shared teachers with Peter so it is not surprising that I feel at home in his workshops.For me, Chi Gung helps with centring and grounding, reminds me to breathe deeply into my belly, and really gets the Chi flowing into my hands for practicing Shiatsu. I have found over and over in my lfe that it prevents me from getting ill, and helps me deal with difficult life situations. When I am on holiday I stand in my bare feet in the garden / beach / woods and allow myself to be still. It's rejuvenating and helps me to connect with what I believe in.What Peter bought into the workshop today was meditation (to beautiful Penguin Cafe Orchestra music), and 'studying' (he read some poems from the Tao Te Ching), and we talked and shared some thoughts. I was taught that the 5 Chinese ways to a long life are to balance rest, good food/drink, exercise, breathing and studying. Four of these were incorporated into the workshop, with the fifth in the form of some Tea Tree Ti Quan Yin Tea shared together afterwards. Most companionable.*************We look at it, and we do not see it, and we name it 'theEquable.' We listen to it, and we do not hear it, and we name it 'theInaudible.' We try to grasp it, and do not get hold of it, and wename it 'the Subtle.' With these three qualities, it cannot be madethe subject of description; and hence we blend them together andobtain The One.************I will teach some chi gung exercises as part of my 'Make Yourself Feel Better!' classes starting 29th April. www.shiatsu.ryoho.co.uk for more details.An internet source for the Tao Te Ching http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htmPeter's next workshop: we hope 10.30-12.30 on both 22 and 23 June 2013 in Edinburgh.Quote from somone else who attended: "Thanks Peter for an inspiring morning. Felt fortified with plenty of chi energy to brave the Edinburgh sleet outside!" Laura