This course offers the opportunity to learn how Daoist Flow can improve your emotional and physical wellbeing. Daoist Flow is a practice that weaves together Yoga and Qigong to explore natural movement patterns and traditional Vinyasa sequences.
Qigong is one of the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine that promote mental health, stress reduction, and positive mood (the others are acupuncture, diet, herbs, and massage). All five activities aim to restore a person’s inner balance. Qi means “life energy,” while gong means “skill cultivated through steady practice.” So in this practice we use simple movements to move the Qi on a physical and emotional level in order to find balance.
As well as improving your strength, mobility and flexibility; research shows that the practices of Yoga and Qigong can positively impact:
Blood pressure
Resting heart rate
Stress reduction
Respiration
Inflammation
The immune system
Sleep
Digestion…and more!
As a practice for the body and mind, Daoist Flow does not solely focus on physical health. It incorporates mindfulness, meditation, breath awareness, and movement, all of which have links to stress reduction and emotional wellbeing.
In Chinese medicine elements are linked to emotions and emotions are linked to organs. When one aspect is out of balance, everything is affected. Qigong aims to bring our life energy back into balance, helping us to lead calmer lives with a mindful clarity of thought.
This course is open to all levels and experiences. The focus for this practice is on your intention and quality of movement rather than precise execution of the poses.
WEEK ONE: An Introduction to Qigong & Vinyasa
Through a Daoist Flow practice, we will integrate the fundamental principles of Qigong through somatic exploration. Giving us an understanding of deficient and excessive qi energy. Through mindful movement we will rebalance this life energy.
WEEK TWO: Season – Spring | Element – Wood | Organs - Liver and Gallbladder | Emotion - Anger
Spring is a time of Growth and creation, a time to awaken your dreams. Transform anger and frustration into growth and potential.
In balance; Confident growth, creative, resourceful and clear vision.
The physical - Smooth blood flow, regular menstruation, toned and flexible muscles, tissues and tendons. Strong immunity, healthy blood pressure and digestion.Out of balance; Inappropriate anger or frustration, unclear direction, misdirected growth and unable to initiate plans.
The physical - Vision problems, muscle weakness, high or low blood pressure and sugar, weak digestion and immune issues.
Practices - the practices will incorporate grounding flows that set a strong foundation for growth. Expect lots of yummy twists and side bends, after all growth is not linear. Our intention is to build strength and resilience in our legs, core and trunk.
WEEK THREE: Season - Summer | Element - Fire | Organs - Heart and Small intestine | Emotion - Joy
Summer is a time of fulfilment, openness, joy, love and of awakening the divine spirit. Transform overstimulation into healthy, balanced joy.
In balance - Calm, warm and tranquil. We feel lightness, love and generosity. We are able to take care of ourselves and others and speak our truth.
The physical - Healthy bowel movements, balanced spirit, trust one’s judgment and healthy relationships.Out of balance - Too hot or too mild. Agitated or over stimulated. When deficient fire expresses itself as too quiet and easily dominated.
The physical - Sleep disorders, nightmares, anxiety, nervousness and heart conditions.
Practices - movements will be focused around the heart, or the sun and leader of the body. Think heart openers/back bends. Movements that echo and aid the cardiovascular system in its grand role. We will work with the fascia to build a healthy connection and love to ourselves and others. Opening, stretching and expanding movements into closed, compact and contracting energy.
WEEK FOUR: Season - Late summer | Element - Earth | Organs - Stomach and Spleen | Emotion - Empathy
Late Summer is a time to return to centre, find balance and transform with ease. It is closely associated to the mind. Transforming worry and lack of self-worth into empathy and trust.
In balance - Smooth physical and mental transitions. Steady and centred. Able to balance a number of opposing forces.
The physical - Healthy digestion and circulation. Warm hands and feet. Good energy and a healthy appetite.Out of balance - Overwhelmed and ungrounded. Worried or anxious, over mothering or smothering. Lack of belonging and never at home in our experience.
The physical - Fatigue, water retention, phlegm and dampness in the body. Stagnation, asthma, poor or excessive appetite.
Practices - Earth is associated to the mind so we will learn the importance of meditation as well as focusing on transitioning more smoothly between Asana’s or forms. Focus of strengthening the core and legs and have some fun playing with balances. Playful and grounding movements.
WEEK FIVE: Season - Autumn | Element - Metal | Organs - lungs and large intestine | Emotion - Grief and appreciation.
Autumn is a time let go and slow down into appreciation and inspiration. Transforming grief into appreciation and inspiration. Let it go, let it flow.
In balance - Integrity, dignity and courage. Clear decisions and open to inspiration. Purity, healthy boundaries and defenses.
The physical - Good bowel movements, healthy hair and skin and strong immunity.Out of balance - Clinging to ideas or loss. Inability to grieve. Harsh, cutting or self-righteous.
The physical - Breathing problems, lunch disorders, dry skin or skin disorders. Fatigue, weak immunity and constipation.
Practices - we will focus on movements and practices that work with and echo and aid the respiratory system and lungs. Through yoga and Qigong based breath-work techniques we will learn the different ways in which we can use the breath to support our well-being. Focusing on slower movements that invite us into rest and stillness, holding poses for longer with some yin style practices.
WEEK SIX: Season – Winter | Element - Water | Organs - Kidneys and Urinary bladder | Emotion - Fear
Winter is a time of stillness and strength. Flowing into rest and with ease and fluidity. Transforming fear into wisdom and will.
In balance - Associated to the Dao itself. We feel a soft strength, deep knowing and wisdom. Fluid malleable and changing. A good use of energy and a sense of belonging. Deep listening and inner silence.
The physical - Healthy reproductive systems and sex drive. Strong bones and teeth. Good hearing, healthy adrenal glands. Good sleep and appetite.Out of balance - Fearful, stagnant and unable to flow with life’s experience. Lack of compassion and connection to others. Overly driven and unrealistic outlook.
The physical - reproductive disorders, brittle bones and teeth, ear disorders, urine imbalances. Night sweats, lower back pain, insomnia, water retention and weakness.
Practices - we will focus on fostering qualities of waters fluid, soft strength. We will learn to move in more fluid and unbroken ways with creative and cohesive Vinyasa and Qigong flows. Out movements will invite us to find out inner softness and ease whilst acknowledging our strength and power to transform fears into wisdom and will. Think fun twists and movements that focus on spinal articulation and integration. Low and mid back release and building strength and releasing through the hips pelvis and legs.
These sessions are each 60mins in length and the course is priced at £85 for 6 weeks.
Please bring your own mat if you have one.