Our new season begins in October 2023! Join us for Tai Chi and Qigong at the Regent Centre on Locke Street South.

Qigong Workshop, Sunday, September 13, 2015

Enrollment in all workshops is limited. Contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043 for more information or to register.


Sunday, September 13, 2015 1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $35 for current Tai Chi and Qigong students @ the Regent Centre;
$50 for non-students


This Qigong workshop will use gentle exercise and meditation and relaxation techniques to help participants access a whole new level of calm and relaxation. The focus will be on introducing new beginners to foundation exercises, while helping more experienced practitioners deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of Qigong.

All are welcome.

Qigong Workshop, Sunday, June 21st 2015

I am offering a Qigong Workshop open to all levels of experience and ability, on Sunday, June 21st, 2015. Details below. Space is limited. To register or get more information, contact Melissa at (905) 521-0043 or smithmk2@gmail.com

It will be a very special day as always. We'll be working with techniques to ground you and connect with natural energies, the Ba Duan Jin / Eight Silks routine, sitting and standing meditation, and a guided meditation that will be new to people from my classes. 

Summer solstice will occur minutes before the start of the workshop (12:39pm); I'm sure that spending the first afternoon of summer working with chi will do all kinds of great things toward helping you align with the energies of the season. 

As with our previous Qigong Workshop, the fee is greatly reduced for current class members, and somewhat reduced for other participants. I hope you'll join us for a very relaxing and invigorating afternoon of movement and meditation.


June 21 Qigong workshop (open to all)Sunday, June 21, 2015
1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $35 for current Tai Chi and Qigong students @ the Regent Centre;
$50 for non-students


More than a series of exercises, Qigong is all about learning a simple, natural, and soft method of movement. This workshop will explore the how of Qigong, using step-by-step instructions to guide you through this ancient practice. Our focus will be Ba Duan Jin / Eight Silks Qigong.

We will work with a few Qigong exercises and relaxation techniques designed to work the legs, move the spine, and release stale tensions. Participants can expect to finish the workshop feeling deeply settled, calm, and well exercised.

All are welcome.

Summer 2015 Newsletter

TAI CHI AND QIGONG NEWSLETTER SPRING 2015

IN THIS NEWSLETTER
  • Summer sessions in Dundurn Park
  • June 21 Qigong workshop (open to all)
  • August 16 Lok Hup Ba Fa Workshop
  • September 13 Qigong workshop (open to all)
  • Summer holiday dates & hiatus dates (mark your calendars!)


Summer sessions in Dundurn Park
Start date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015
End date: Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Tai Chi: 5:00-6:00pm *for people already familiar with the tai chi set*
Qigong: 6:00-7:00pm
Fee: Free

Summer Qigong and Tai Chi in Dundurn Park runs May-August, beginning Wednesday, May 20. This is your chance to use your Tai Chi and Qigong to work with the exquisite natural energies of one of Hamilton's oldest parks. Many of the trees of Dundurn park are part of the original oak savannah ecosystem that dominated this region before the city was constructed. It is a chi hotspot.

We practice in the park to the east of the castle. If you're not familiar with Dundurn Park, on the east side of it there is a Victorian garden area bordered by a high wooden fence. We will meet to the north side of the garden (between the garden and the bay, where we met last year).

5-6 pm is for people who have some Tai Chi lessons already under their belts. This includes anyone who has trained with me and has learned part or all of the Tai Chi set.

6-7 pm will focus on Qigong exercise and meditation, and is open to all.



June 21 Qigong workshop (open to all)
Sunday, June 21, 2015
1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $35 for current Tai Chi and Qigong students @ the Regent Centre;
$50 for non-students

More than a series of exercises, Qigong is all about learning a simple, natural, and soft method of movement. This workshop will explore the how of Qigong, using step-by-step instructions to guide you through this ancient practice. Our focus will be Ba Duan Jin / Eight Silks Qigong.

We will work with a few Qigong exercises and relaxation techniques designed to work the legs, move the spine, and release stale tensions. Participants can expect to finish the workshop feeling deeply settled, calm, and well exercised.

All are welcome.



August 16 Lok Hup Ba Fa Workshop
Sunday, August 16, 2015
1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $75

Similar to Tai Chi, Lok Hup Ba Fa is an internal / soft martial art involving a more sophisticated set of movements. We had wonderful Lok Hup workshop in January, March and April. In August we will continue the work of polishing the Lok Hup set.

Lok Hup is a wonderful complement to Tai Chi because it works the yang energy system of the body more completely. Learning Lok Hup will enhance your relationship with Tai Chi and deepen the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Because this is an advanced workshop, you must ask for permission to attend. Participants must have experience with Tai Chi and Lok Hup Ba Fa.



September 13 Qigong workshop (open to all)
Sunday, September 13, 2015
  1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $35 for current Tai Chi and Qigong students @ the Regent Centre;
$50 for non-students

This Qigong workshop will use gentle exercise and meditation and relaxation techniques to help participants access a whole new level of calm and relaxation. The focus will be on introducing new beginners to foundation exercises, while helping more experienced practitioners deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of Qigong.

All are welcome.



Summer holiday dates & hiatus dates (mark your calendars!)
I will be taking a break from teaching indoors at the Regent Centre on some weekends and for a longer period at the end of the summer. The information below does not apply to workshops or park sessions.
HOLIDAYS MAY & JUNE: There will be NO Tai Chi or Qigong classes at the Regent Centre on the following dates:
Victoria Day weekend: No classes Friday May 15, Saturday May 16, or Monday May 18
Canada Day weekend(ish): no classes Friday June 26, Saturday June 27, or Monday June 29

All classes will run as usual throughout July 2015.

2015 HIATUS DATES
There will be NO Tai Chi or Qigong classes at the Regent Centre in August, September, or early October 2015, through to the weekend after Thanksgiving. (Workshops will run Aug & Sept.)
The last class before hiatus is Friday, July 31st, 2015. 

The first class when we return will be Friday, October 16, 2015.

Next Workshop: Advanced Lok Hup Ba Fa, 29 March 2015

LOK HUP BA FA

Sunday, 29 March 2015

1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $75

Similar to Tai Chi, Lok Hup Ba Fa is an internal / soft martial art involving a more sophisticated set of movements.

We had a wonderful Lok Hup workshop in January. March's workshop will continue the work of polishing the Lok Hup set.

Lok Hup is a wonderful complement to Tai Chi because it works the yang energy system of the body more completely. Learning Lok Hup will enhance your relationship with Tai Chi and deepen the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong.

This workshop will explore the technique necessary to perform Lok Hup and take participants through the Lok Hup set.


Because this is an advanced workshop, you must ask for permission to attend. Participants must have experience with Tai Chi and Lok Hup Ba Fa.

Next Workshop: Qigong, February 15, 2015

Space is limited. Please email smithmk2@gmail.com or call (905) 521-0043 to reserve your spot.

QIGONG WORKSHOP (Open to all)
Sunday, 15 February 2015 1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio

Fee: $35 for current Tai Chi and Qigong students @ the Regent Centre;
$50 for non-students

More than a series of exercises, Qigong is all about learning a simple, natural, and soft method of movement. This workshop will explore the how of Qigong, using step-by-step instructions to guide you through this ancient practice.

We will work with a few Qigong exercises and relaxation techniques designed to work the legs, move the spine, and release stale tensions. Participants can expect to finish the workshop feeling deeply settled, calm, and well exercised.

All are welcome.

***************************************************************************************

More information about this workshop:

In the club where I learned most of what I know about Tai Chi and Qigong, workshops were part of the culture. I attended regular classes for quite a while before I began attending workshops too. I felt that I attended class a couple of times most weeks: why would I need to spend all Sunday practicing too? (At the time those workshops were eight hours long...epic!) 

I was in for a revelation. 

What I realized once I got into workshops was that they are a chance to allow the exercises and meditation to really sink into your body. Much of what we do relies on building muscle memory rather than intellectual understanding of the movements or memorization. It takes a lot of repetition, with a strong dose of relaxation and focus, to get the hang of this.

When you spend a large block of time working through Qigong exercises, it gives you a chance to really feel your way into the movements, which in turn gives the body the chance to get used to what you're asking it to do. It's one of the most kind ways to start your practice, to expand your practice, or to deepen it. 

I want as many people as possible to have the workshop experience. In the Qigong Workshop on February 15, I will take participants through a handful of simple exercises and very effective relaxation techniques. All are welcome at this workshop, and I've lowered my regular fee of $75 to $50 for people who aren't regular students of mine. Those of you who are already part of my regular classes will receive a very substantial discount. This is the last time I'll probably offer a workshop at such a low price, but I want everyone who can attend to do so. 

Next Workshop: Lok Hup Ba Fa, Sunday, 18 January, 2015

LOK HUP BA FA
Sunday, 18 January 2015
1-5pm
Regent Centre Studio
Fee: $75

Similar to Tai Chi, Lok Hup Ba Fa is an internal / soft martial art involving a more sophisticated set of movements.

Lok Hup is a wonderful complement to Tai Chi because it works the yang energy system of the body more completely. Learning Lok Hup will enhance your relationship with Tai Chi and deepen the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong.

This workshop will explore the technique necessary to perform Lok Hup and take participants through the Lok Hup set.

Prerequisite: Participants must have some experience with Tai Chi.