Qigong & Wu Style Workshops - Downton

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

With regular attendance at our monthly workshops, you will be able to develop some authentic Qigong and Tai Chi (taijiquan) skills and find balance in this very demanding world we live in. This workshop focuses on internal energy work (neigong), opening-up and stregthening the physical body with Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, as well as our Wu style taijiquan curriculum.

• 1000-1300 Session 1 £36: Topic to be confirmed
• 1400-1600 Session 2 £24: Modified 64 Wu style / 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

Set 1

The 18 move Shibashi Tai Chi Qigong movements are traditionally performed with music and are relaxing and easy to follow,and is practised around the world by millions of people. It is based on some of the movements from Yang style tai chi chuan and this gentle, flowing qigong exercise set is deeply relaxing and pleasant to perform. 

Shibashi was developed in 1979 by Professor Lin Hou-Sheng and is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of the practitioner. The gentle rocking and stretching movements improve circulation, digestion and balance. The controlled breathing and chest exercises are good for lung conditions and the general holistic effect of the set is to reduce stress and tension.

Set 2

Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Set 2 builds on Shibashi Set 1, but can also be learned by complete beginners. Set 2 works with the connection to Earth and allowing the Earth energy to naturally rise and support us. The exchange of qi between Heaven and Earth is happening in humans all the time, but we can influence it and enhance it for health and well-being by practising qigong.

The movements of Set 2 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 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.