Caring for Body & Mind, Part I

About this program

What does it mean to live a healthy and peaceful life? It means having a relaxed body and a peaceful mind.

The Importance of Self-Care These days, where demands are ever-increasing, self-care is more important than ever. Self-care allows us to meet the challenges of life with ease, to appreciate the simplicity of good living, and to experience the gifts of health and well-being. How do we achieve this? By understanding and practicing self-care with awareness and gentleness. The Three Pillars of Self-Care In the Taoist view, qigong, meditation, and lifestyle are the Three Pillars of Self-Care. When the body is relaxed and at ease, qi - internal energy - will flow naturally. When the mind is quiet, it will embrace qi and strengthen the body. When we live simply and in harmony with nature, both physical health and mental clarity arise. Learning Self-Care Whether you wish to begin your journey toward better physical health and mental well-being, revisit the teachings of Qigong Levels 1-2, or dive deeper into an enriched environment where qigong, meditation and lifestyle teachings intertwine, this program is for you. There are no prerequisites for this retreat. Join us to get started on improving your physical health and mental well-being. Techniques for Health, Well-being & Longevity In this program, we will explore, learn and practice foundational techniques that, practiced regularly, will support you for a lifetime. Cultivating the Body with Qigong for Health and Longevity: Qigong is a form of gentle, relaxing exercise that integrates movement, breath, and qi —internal energy—to enhance flexibility, stimulate circulation, and clarify the mind. The practice of qigong helps us understand that physical health and mental well-being are closely aligned. As the body becomes more relaxed, qi flows more freely, nourishing and healing the body. As the mind becomes quiet, it cultivates and strengthens qi . We will learn the 6 Basic postures of Limitlessgate Qigong to relax the body, along with two standing postures that gather internal energy. We’ll learn and practice the Nine Self-Massage techniques to guide qi through the body, and the Twelve Devas Tendon Changing System—methods for enhancing flexibility, strengthening bones, tendons, and muscles, and repairing physical injuries. Meditation: We’ll learn and practice Taoist meditation to cultivate a peaceful and intelligent mind, using internal observation to understand and transform our consciousness. Lifestyle: We’ll delve into Taoist guidelines for balancing the various aspects of life—public, domestic, private, and spiritual—and the energetic impact each has on our well-being. We’ll also spend time in the natural world to nourish our body and mind on the spacious land of Karmê Chöling. **************************************** This is an opportunity to receive instruction in two potent qigong lineages, the Primordial Limitless Gate (Xiantianwujimen) School and the Yiquan School. Xiantianwujimen was founded in 10th century China by Taoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as “the father of qigong.” These uninterrupted lineages have been handed down to Dr. Eva Wong , a 19th generation lineage carrier. Donna MacKenzie and Heidi Meyer-Bothling have received these practices directly from Dr. Wong and have been authorized by the lineage to offer this program. For more information on the teachings and programs offered by Xiantianwujimen Taoism please go to limitlessgate.com . **************************************** Who May Attend This retreat is open to everyone who is interested in experiencing the benefits of Qigong practice. The program fulfills the requirements necessary for Qigong Level 3. If you are unable to attend the full 5-day retreat we offer another option - Qigong Levels 1-2 Weekend (Dec.4-6) Arrival & Departure Please plan to arrive between 2:00pm and 6:00pm Friday afternoon. Dinner is served at 6:30pm. The program begins at 8:00pm on Friday. Attendance is required for all sessions, including the Friday night talk. The Program ends at 6:00pm on Wednesday. You may depart at anytime after the program ends. If you would like to stay an additional night and depart the next day, please contact the KCL Front Desk . Cancellation Policy Approximately two weeks before the start date of a program we confirm that we have sufficient numbers to hold the event. On the rare occasion when enrollment is too low, we may need to cancel a program. If this happens, we will notify all registered participants as soon as possible and provide a full refund of the program and accommodation fees paid to us. The center is not responsible for airfare or other travel expenses incurred. For this reason we recommend purchasing refundable travel tickets or travel insurance whenever possible. Getting Here Visit our Directions and Transportation page to see different options for traveling to Karmê Chöling.