Oxinar Spring Retreat

May 25th - 29th


"OPEN UP YOUR BODY & CHI! Yang & Yin Methods"


All welcome who have at least one term's experience or equivalent at Oxinar. Details below!
 

This retreat is a continuation of the 3-day retreat held in April. People who did not attend in April will be brought up to speed, those who did attend or who have more experience will progress forwards. The retreat will go more into how to integrate key internal material into forms, depending on what forms participants already practise (Cloud Hands, Swings, Heaven & Earth, Gods Playing in the Clouds, T'ai Chi), and so will have a more fluid and expansive flavour. We will also have more time to explore lighter energetic techniques to release energetic stagnancy and emotions and find a lighter and more expansive experience. Groups will be formed to help people learn at a good pace for them.

In Spring, just like the world around us our energy needs to wake up and open. When it doesn't, it is easy to experience stagnation, lethargy and frustration as our energy impacts against blockages without successfully opening up into the more open and free-flowing circulation required at this time of year.
 
Yang qigong techniques get the body and energy going and opening, by imposing more open form and flows onto them.

Yin methods require our mind to soften and become more still so that we are able to discover and follow our body and energy's internal processes, rhythms and flows. We can then gradually amplify what needs amplifying, reduce what needs reducing and bring ourselves steadily into a more open balance.

We will be using both methodologies in our retreat as this yields the best results.
 

Depending on your present knowledge and ability, methods will include:

• How to open and move much more energy through your system by means of standing practices. This applies also to more experienced practitioners

• How to relax and open the superficial layers of energy and emotions enabling us to feel lighter and more open

• Opening and lengthening your physical body by releasing the nerves and through gently stretching open and unravelling tissues using Cloud Hands and Swing techniques (we will be going much more completely and accurately into this with more experienced practitioners).

• Relaxing and lengthening the deep muscles and tendons in the legs by means of gentle, simple stretches achieved through relaxation without any strain

• Opening and harmonising the pulsations in the body and its energy through Circling Hands and other techniques

• Waking up and opening the spine and your breathing

• Lightening and opening the mind

• Integrating all these into forms you practise via the essence of Cloud Hands and Circling Hands

ATTENDANCE: You are welcome to attend day 1, 1+2, 1+2+3, and so on up to all 5 days. The more you attend, the more you can integrate into your practise and experience, especially as the last two days are usually when everything comes together. However it can be very valuable to attend for shorter periods, and I will do my best to integrate material learned into forms at the end of each day. If you would like to attend but not in the suggested order, please email me.


TIMING OF THE DAYS:
The days will run from 10am – 1pm, and from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. We may vary this during the retreat.


PRICES & DISCOUNTS:
The retreat will cost: £50 for the first & second days you attend;
                                 £45 for the third and fourth day;
                                 £40 for the fifth

Full time students pay £35 per day throughout.

First Seminar? First day half price!

Long-Time Attendees:
10% Discount (students at Oxinar for 2+ years, &/or regular attendees of seminars and/or retreats for 2+ years)

If you cannot afford to attend at the moment but would like to, as ever please get in touch!
 

VENUE:
The weekend, 25-26th May, will be held at South Hinksey Village Hall, a small village just outside the centre of Oxford (click here for walking/cycling directions from Oxford centre, see bottom of page).
The rest of the retreat, the 27-29th May, will be at the The Perch, Binsey Lane, Binsey, Oxford, OX2 also just outside Oxford town centre in a Marquee in Port Meadow by the river Thames.
There is plenty of free parking at both venues.

FOOD:
There will be soup and bread available, which will be gluten and dairy free. Bring some extras like ham and cheese and this makes a great meal without fuss in the countryside. I will email to see who would like this.


WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring a mat, blanket and cushion for sitting on (sit on the floor cross-legged for 10 minutes and find out if you are totally comfortable doing so. If not, and most of us aren't, find a cushion, stool, bag of rice, whatever, which raises you high enough above the floor that you are totally comfortable sitting on the floor cross-legged for some time. Otherwise, it's impossible to explore how to release your nervous system when you sit and through Taoist Yoga, which will be a part of the course).
Also bring some warm clothing which allows movement just in case the weather isn't cooperating (at The Perch we will be in a Marquee which is warm enough, but if you suffer the cold, bring something like a body-warmer).


ACCOMMODATION:
For self-catering, B&B, hotels etc, try this link.
For budget accommodation try this link.
If you require further help finding accommodation during the retreats, please email for advice, we sometimes know people who can put you up or provide a good deal.


 

Please let me know if you are interested in attending!