Qigong for Yoga Teachers

This weekend immersion will provide the foundations for how Yoga teachers and teachers in training can learn, adapt and incorporate aspects of qigong into their classes and personal practice.  It will be a highly experiential programme designed to provide participants with practical knowledge as well as an embodied understanding of qigong. It will also establish principles for innovatively and authentically weaving qigong into Yoga āsana classes. Participants will receive a course manual with illustrated sequences as well as sections on context, theory and approaches to integrating Yoga and qigong.

About Yoga and Qigong: Qigong is a Chinese energy healing and martial art with roots in Daoism and Buddhism.  It offers a way to harmonize the virtues of trust, integrity, wisdom, and compassion in the human body and spirit. Like yoga, qigong uses deep breathing, meditation, and static or dynamic movements to promote greater health and vitality. The actions generate and revitalize the qi, or life force, in the body. As an energy-based practice, qigong employs slow, circular movements that improve the flow of qi through the body’s meridians and organs.  In contrast, Yoga āsana places greater emphasis on linear extensions of the spine, body and limbs. This works to tone, lengthen and strengthen muscles more directly. When aspects of qigong are incorporated into an āsana practice, the flow of prana and qi can be significantly increased, bringing greater energy, health and efficiency to the body. The cross-fertilization of yoga and qigong offers creative and insightful discoveries that can delight in unexpected ways.

Subjects covered in the immersion will include:

• Qigong theories and their application to Yoga such as chen (rooting, sinking), wuwei (effortlessness), yi (intention), five phase/element principles including organ and meridian theory, the affect of qi flow on physical and emotional health.
  
  
• The congruencies and distinctions between Daoist and Yogic concepts.
  
  
• Fire/yang-based qigong forms and sequences that integrate effectively into yoga classes such as horse stance, taming the tiger, dragon, bear, and bird nesting among others.
  
  
• Water/yin-based qigong forms and into yoga sequences such as clearing, filling and sealing; moving and parting clouds; etheric cleansing; hands to heart; looking for moon and sea; and swimming dragon.
  
  
• Seasonal and element-based themes inspired by qigong and Chinese medicine that can be incorporated into yoga classes.
  
  
• Qigong practices for maintaining health and energy levels as a yoga teacher.

 Immersion Times:

• Friday, 2nd august: 18.00 – 20.45
• Saturday, 3rd august: 09.45 – 12.30 + 14.00 – 17.45
• Sunday, 4th august: 09.45 – 12.30 + 14.00 – 18.00

What others have shared about the training: 

This was by far the most broadening, enlightening and clearing training I've been on. I  loved the way Mimi sequenced the 3 days, building practices and layering detail and wisdom.  So generous'. – Ben Shallcross

‘The Qigong for Yoga teachers immersion has been life changing. The structure and content of the immersion was intelligent and well planned.  I left the immersion equipped with new skills and a fresh outlook on my yoga teaching career’. – Jo Turner

‘I have done a few training weekends with various teachers, but Mimi brings something to her teaching that I’ve not experienced with anyone else. The support and preparation is second to none. I would highly recommend any of Mimi’s trainings to anyone who practices yoga and/or qigong’. — Louise Hallam

'It was a magical few days. The Qigong for Yoga Teachers immersion training was one of my highlights of 2017'. – Andy Smith

‘Mimi created the most lovely energy for the whole weekend. I have never laughed so much on a course. She has a wonderful teaching style- authentic and fun while being very clear and professional’. – Sian O’Neil