Upcoming Workshops
When the body flows like running water, it is always renewed, always fresh. This is true freedom.
While yoga has its roots in ancient Indian Vedic scriptures, Qi Gong grew out of the Chinese Taoist pursuit of longevity. Both practices include physical stretching, opening of the joints, mental focus and breath work, with the goal of the enhancement of consciousness and internal life force. In this workshop we will explore Qi Gong exercises within a yoga practice, with the goal of improving flexibility, gathering and circulating life-force energy, and helping bring the mind to stillness.
Central Mass Yoga, West Boylston, MA
Meditation is acceptance. It is the acceptance of life within us, without us, and all around us.
This workshop, appropriate for beginners, will explore three styles of meditation – breath meditation, mantra meditation, and silent sitting practices. We will begin by warming up the body with slow flow yoga and Qi Gong which prepares us to comfortably sit in stillness. Each meditation will be 10-15 minutes in duration, with structured rest periods between; handouts for each of the meditations will be provided.
Meditation shifts the nervous system from the sympathetic (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic (stress relief and relaxation). In addition, meditation increases cognitive function, improves digestion and sleep, and helps boost the immune system. And meditation cultivates joy.
Registration Coming Soon . . .
Within you, heaven, earth, and human are one.
While yoga has its roots in Indian Vedic scriptures, Qi Gong grew out of the Chinese Taoist pursuit of longevity. In this workshop we will explore the Taoist concept of “effortless flow” through Qi Gong exercises, and then bring the same ease of motion into sequences from Yoga of Energy Flow. While the movements in both forms are graceful and gentle, the effects are powerful, detoxifying the body while increasing strength, flexibility, and peace of mind.
This program focuses on
• Breathing exercises to enhance life energy
• The Eight Brocades, Swimming Dragon, and other qigong practices to open the meridians
• Meditative flow in yoga asana
• Concentration techniques for mental clarity.
• Recommendations for a simple and transformative home practice
Celebrate the holiday with a friend or partner, or feel free to attend alone, as we stretch and open blocked areas of the body. The partner stretching draws on a modern stretching technique called PNF/resistance stretching, while Shiatsu Massage involves gentle finger and hand pressure, acupressure release points, and comfortable joint manipulations. This is an unbeatable combination, which reduces muscle tension, increases flexibility, enhances circulation, helps alleviate lower back pain, and improves balance and coordination. In the end you will feel more relaxed and energized, guaranteed!
