Levels

The work we teach is powerful so it’s important to have an idea of what level is appropriate for you. Students’ paths are never linear and don’t follow the same trajectory. We all come to a process of awakening with our own strengths and weaknesses, with parts of our lives that are well resourced and some more in the shadows. We each have our own unique flavours of Karma to digest. Our work is designed to accommodate this so, for example, two students in the same class might be doing the same piece of form but engaging with it from a different perspective and level of understanding.

Here is a guide to our three 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…