Return to Centre - Qi Gong Retreat in the countryside (Nei Gong, Qigong, Tai Chi, Daoism)

UPDATE: We are Currently 16 people so will only be take 2 more 

Join us for a nourishing long weekend of movement, stillness, nature, community, and connection.

(2 hours from London Paddington)

What to expect:

Over 3-4 days we’ll explore ancient body awareness practices designed to improve health, mobility, and connection to self and other. Our teacher will be Simon Carey-Morgan.

We will have daily Qi Gong sessions, cook and eat in community, relax by a woodland fire, surrounded by nature and with access to a sauna.
 

Who’s it for: 

No experience is needed, this retreat is for anyone curious about: 

• Embodiment, self-awareness, movement practices
• Internal martial arts
• Slowing down and tuning in
• Being in community
• Daoism

The practice: 

Led by Simon Carey-Morgan, we’ll move through a variety of practices focused on softening, strengthening, finding peace and space within the body.

We will be exploring the fundamentals of ancient Daoist martial arts practices focused on cultivating your Qi (vital energy), mastering breath, and aligning your body structure to improve both health and martial power:

• Nei Gong is a Chinese term for "internal skill" focused on posture, breathing, and moving energy.
• Qi Gong integrates slow deliberate movements, breathing techniques,  in a meditative state.
• Tai Chi combines slow, deliberate, flowing movements, walking through space with soft breath and a meditative but focused state of mind. Improving balance, joint flexibility and martial ability.
• Guided Meditation: both walking and sitting.

A word from Simon:

“We will spend these few days exploring our experience in terms of how to open and relax, strengthen and enjoy, spending time with ourselves and each other in a beautiful place. Drawing on my own life experience and my great good fortune of teachings from the great tradition, we will learn how the body and the mind open into understanding and meditation. The path is simple yet profound and has grand successive distinctions along the way. We will discover how these junctures in consciousness are simply the cohesion of our body and mind in awareness. Over the years I have managed to simplify sometimes apparently complex practices, both physical and mental, into a program that consistently delivers peace of mind and strength of body. Understanding the framework presented in the Buddhist and Taoist traditions, we will explore together our path to peace. I really look forward to spending time with you. And wherever you find yourself in your practice, be reassured that the programme is open enough that you can find your own pace and depth.”

About the teacher:

Simon Carey-Morgan has been practicing Daoist arts for 30+ years and is one of the most experienced practitioners of Chinese medicine and internal martial arts in the UK. 

He has helped many people through acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and physical practices; connecting more fully to their own bodies.

Simon's teaching is both serious and playful, attentive and open, with a deep knowledge of the practice and a humble, warm attitude.

The space:

The retreat takes place on the beautiful Selgars property, an idyllic space nestled in the Devon countryside (2 hours from London Paddington). The sessions will take place outside in nature and can be moved into The Barn if the weather turns. 

The main house contains several rooms with 2-4 persons bedrooms.

Other facilities:

• Woodland fire pit
• Indoor and outdoor practice spaces
• Plenty of space to rest, walk, and just be

Schedule:

Timing may alter slightly as we adapt to the flow so this is a rough outline.

Thursday 

• 12-2pm Arrival
• 2:30pm Opening circle
• 3:30pm Session 1
• 5pm Dinner prep / chill time
• 7pm Dinner
• 8:30pm Evening session

Fri & Sat 

• 7:30 Wake up
• 8am Morning practice
• 9am Breakfast
• 10am Session 1
• 12pm Lunch prep / chill time
• 1pm   Lunch
• 3pm Session 2
• 5pm Dinner prep / chill time
• 7pm Dinner
• 9pm Fire, light workshop or chill time

Sunday: 

• 7:30 Wake up
• 8am Morning practice
• 9am Breakfast
• 10am Session 1
• 12pm Lunch prep + space cleaning
• 1pm Lunch
• 2pm Final session - closing circle
• 4-5pm Leave
   

Transport:

• Train: Tiverton Parkway (2 hours from London Paddington). We will likely be able to collect you from the station
• Car: Selgars Mill EX15 3DA
• There is someone driving from Bristol if you need a lift from there.

Cost:

£320 - Includes all sessions, food, and accommodation.

This is a non-profit event. Your contribution goes directly to the venue, food, and teacher. You are also welcome to donate directly to Simon or the Venue after the event. 

Note: Dandelion (this booking platform) will also ask for a voluntary donation when booking. 

If finances are a barrier, please reach out. 

Organisers:

Joel:

I’ve been practicing Chi Gung on and off over the past 10 years. It helps me land in my body, connect with my breath, recover from injury, and move towards a healthier life. I love going on retreats with teachers I resonate with. Si is one of those teachers, we did a small retreat in Spain a few year back and i came back with such a soft, floating body. So I've been planning to do another ever since.

Lody:

As part of the organisation of this weekend I invite slowness, deep listening, and presence in the moment. My intention is to tune in: connect to the body’s wisdom, nature and community. I am a facilitator (relational leadership), intuitive coach as well as Joel's partner and will help running this event smoothly wherever I can.

Why are we doing this (Return to Centre)?

We both experience the benefit of a healthy body mind connection. Bringing teachers and practices into community is what we' re excited about. We’ve enjoyed many retreats and co-created events over the years and the format that resonates with us is non profit, based in a beautiful space full of new learning and a sense of community.

Want to join?

Spots are limited as we don't want it too big. Get in touch with any questions.

Mailing list: 

Please email me and I’ll add you on.