Qigong & Wu Style Workshops - Downton

Busy Life? Try a monthly Qigong or Tai Chi workshop!

Workshop format as follows:

The mornings will always be accessible to beginners, focusing on meditation and internal energy work (qigong / neigong), as well as opening-up and strengthening the physical body with Core Principles and qigong forms. The afternoons are generally focused on our Wu style taijiquan curriculum, which will include partner connection work; they are suitable for students who already have experience of a Wu style form.

• 1000-1300 Session 1 £36: Meditative Practices / Shibashi Set 3
• 1400-1600 Session 2 £24: Wu style Application Energies / Partner connection exercises

FULL DAY concession £56

You are welcome to attend part or all of the day to suit your interests - the  morning sessions focus on Qigong energy work (ideal for beginners and experienced alike); the afternoon sessions explore partner connection skills and formal Tai Chi forms.

When you register, please select the sessions you are interested in at the checkout so you correctly charged.

Led by Jane Launchbury and Patrick Foley, Senior Instructors of the Tai Union of Great Britain.

Qigong and Neigong

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong also spelt chi gung or chi kung or neigong) is a form of gentle exercise practised to keep people healthy and reduce tension. Movements are repeated to softly stretch the body, increase fluid movement (blood, synovial and lymph) and build awareness.

The effectiveness of qigong and neigong to develop a stronger life force has been proven in China by its beneficial impact on the health of millions of people over thousands of years. Modern Western scientific trials back this up with clinical evidence.

Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi

The movements of Set 3 are more challenging than Set 1 and will not be taught in these workshops as a follow-along exercise class. There is more stepping, turning and balancing than in set 1 and Set 2 and 3 builds up leg strength as well as filling us with yin. Some workshops may only work on one or two new moves from the set, depending on how participants are integrating the material. Movements and components will be taught in more depth than in the format we use for teaching set 1, and in workshop format participants can be given individual corrections. There will also be some core work on Zhan Zhuang standing postures, breathing, and exercises to feel and move qi. We will also revisit some moves from Set 1 to compare, contrast and improve on them.

Modified Wu 64 Tai Chi

Developed by our teacher Brian Cooper, the Modified 64 takes about 12-15 minutes to perform and is quite compact so can be practised even in restricted spaces. As you progress through the movements you will get a full workout that will upgrade your body, mind and spirit, as nothing is missed from the tradional long form except repeated movements. This session is only available to students who have studied the form and wish to revise and practice the movements.