Our teachings draw from Daoist and Buddhist practices as well as a modern biodynamic understanding. Our classes encompass Daoyin Qigong, Taiji, and an exploration into embodied consciousness using standing forms, floor work and seated meditation.

All elements of our work have the potential to free the body and mind of old patterns of behaviour, unprocessed experience, attitudes and conditioning. This creates space for more clarity and insight centred in the present moment.

Our style of teaching is fluid and no two classes are the same as we follow the flow of aliveness in the moment. We do however work consistently with cycles of movement and stillness. A core aim of the work is developing effective ways to surf moment-to-moment experience without becoming overwhelmed or detached - we do this by developing an awareness of breathing, mind states and body sensations.

Daoyin Qigong

Daoyin means ‘The original healing way’ and Qigong means ‘life energy cultivation’

Taiji

Taiji means ‘supreme ultimate’ or ‘infinite potential’

Standing Forms

Explore the dynamics of Qi flow and fluid drive, build potency and muscle tendon changing (Yi Jin Jing) with:

  • Brocade Qigong ‘Heaven and Earth’ form - a series of linked exercises that help clear tension and stagnation from the bodymind, tonify the body, build integrated strength.

  • ‘Swimming Dragon’, a spiralling flowing form that develops and refines an awareness of Qi flow and fluid potency.

  • Standing like a Tree (Zhan Zhuang). Builds strength and power and helps realign the skeletal system, ligaments and joints.

Spiralling Dragon Taiji

Taiji means ‘supreme ultimate’ or ‘infinite potential’

A beautiful Gathering Essence Taiji form with its roots in Yang style Taiji. Its spiralling nature contains all elements of our work and is a constantly evolving and deepening practice. Challenging yet rewarding! Reconditions the muscle tendon and joints into a more relaxed, stable, flexible vehicle for the soul.

Practising this form over time has the potential to take you deeply into the true nature of Taiji and unite internal and external dynamics.

Floor Form

Take the practice deep into the body! Open and recondition the muscle tendon and fascia with our Daoyin floor form. Learn to identify the sweet spot in movement to stay connected to the fluid potency and your body’s resources. This practice will gradually restore more space in the body and rejuvenate the muscle tendon back to the bone.

Seated Meditation

Seated meditation is a key part of our practice at all levels. This can be done on a meditation cushion, mat or chair. Genuine insight and a deeper understanding of the mind and Qi develops over time.

Chair Form 

A seated series designed for all levels. Being seated during meditative movement can support deep embodied presence and the path back to stillness. An invaluable practice that gives space to regulate the bodymind and establish a new equilibrium.

Movement Forms and Levels

We have different bodies, timelines, and lived experiences. We come to the work with our own unique strengths and weaknesses. Parts of our lives are well resourced and some are more in the shadows. We know that students’ paths aren’t linear and won’t follow the same trajectory.

Our three levels of classes are designed to accommodate everyone so you can go at a pace that is right for you.

Here is a short guide to the different class levels…

Level 1

Entry Level

  • No prior experience necessary

  • Develop an awareness of Qi and Fluid flow

  • Awareness of breathing and how to work with tension in body and mind

  • Develop a sense of spaciousness and a wider field of awareness

  • Begin muscle tendon changing practice with key concepts, like working within your range of ease and finding points of balanced tension

  • Learn to negotiate arising conditions and stay centred and grounded, develop mindfulness, equanimity and know when to back off

  • Get familiar with the body’s self-healing capacity and how to engage it

Level 2

Going deeper

  • Previous Level 1 experience necessary

  • Explore the Three Dantien (San Bao)

  • Further reconditioning of the muscle tendon

  • Deeper enquiry into psycho-physiological patterning and how to release it safely

  • Clear confusion and static from the bodymind

  • Restore elasticity in the body, tendon and fascia rejuvenation

  • Define a clearer understanding of potency, what it is and how to access it on your own

  • Strengthen the Yi (wisdom mind)

  • Develop a personal relationship to Source, free from dogma

  • Define a personal practice that is flexible and suits your bodymind, current life conditions and goals

Level 3

Shen Dao ‘Cultivating the spirit of the Dao’

  • For experienced students

  • Deepen your understanding of the dynamics of form and formlessness, Yin/Yang, Taiji, Wuji etc.

  • Yi is firm enough to be able to effectively engage internal alchemy, working with the 5 elements and states of fusion – Samadhi

  • Sense breathing and deep absorption

  • Awaken our Buddha nature and the heart of compassion

  • Develop more advanced Nei Gong (internal) techniques to build potency using mind and breath and lead it through the bodymind - Guide, Lead & Listen

  • Take the practice beyond a practice…

The History of Gathering Essence

Tez Sawicki

Founder, Director, Master Teacher

Tez is the founder of Gathering Essence. He is a Master Practitioner in Biodynamic Meditation, Daoyin Qigong and Taiji and his weekly classes, workshops and retreats have been popular for decades. His transformative and powerful teachings are testament to his ongoing dedication to applying the skills inherent within an embodiment practice.

The work of Gathering Essence is a direct path to working effectively with the bodymind, Qi and Shen. Tez’s dynamic, supportive teaching allows his students to deepen their meditational and therapeutic processes, develop sitting and moving meditation skills and create the conditions for deep tissue opening and strengthening.  Tez says “Gathering Essence practices create the opportunity to clear stagnant, confused energies and clarify and resolve unhelpful attitudes or beliefs while supporting the regulation of conscious embodied integration that is centred in the Dao”.  

Tez has also developed a style of Taiji, called Spiralling Dragon and couples it with an in-depth Daoyin Qigong Meditation practice called Shen Dao (Shen means Spirit and Dao means the Way of Nature).

Tez’s personal practice has evolved over 40 years. After 12 years in residential therapeutic and meditational communities around the world, he returned to his native Scotland and dedicated his time to refining and cultivating bodymind consciousness skills. He taught ‘Meditation in Action’ Qigong classes until 2007 when he and Ewan opened Gathering Essence, a dedicated centre for Biodynamic & Biomechanical meditation and movement.

Ewan Kenny

Director, Manager, Master Teacher

Ewan discovered Tez’s teachings in the late 90s and they resonated deeply with him. He began an apprenticeship in 2001 and together they developed a partnership and opened their first dedicated teaching studio in 2007.

Ewan has spent over 20 years working with groups and individuals in therapeutic and meditative contexts. As an experienced Master Practitioner in Biodynamic Meditation, Daoyin Qigong and Taiji Qigong, his down-to-earth, inclusive, and warm-hearted teaching style make his classes popular with beginners and more advanced students alike. He helps his students develop the necessary skill base to respond flexibly and creatively to the flux and flow of daily life.

He is also responsible for the day to day running of Gathering Essence.  

Over many years of working directly with the healing capacity and creative potential of the Dao, Ewan has made it his life’s work to share the power of transformation, healing, and deepening personal relationship to Source and Spirit.