Nei Gong - Internal Training

Discover a process of alignment, release, opening, deep relaxation and internal awareness through a simple daily practice inspired by the Daoist arts.

Opening & Releasing the Body

Saturday July 27th 1pm-4pm
Sunday July 28th 9am-12pm

Using the Daoist theory of Yin and Yang to frame the approach, this workshop will look at the process of opening and releasing the body. Yin Yang theory is a vast and versatile topic, one that can be interpreted in many different ways other than the way I am presenting below. Using it to look at opening and releasing the body, we can consider the following groups:

In essence what we are looking to understand in this workshop is how to create a yin / structure in the body that is open and capable of anchoring and containing the yang / energy of the mind, so the yin and the yang can work together in harmony and our evolution can unfold more fluidly. 

This approach is not about arriving in a specific state, but rather entering a process and then connecting various pressures (from gravity, our own internal inconsistencies, or a partner) to the process so that the pressure can also be released. From there it becomes possible to engage with all sorts of activities - whether they be physical or very energetic / esoteric - and ground them in the same process.

For the consciousness to be able to settle in and be contained by the body, it needs space. If the body is too collapsed and closed, consciousness will tend to 'float' in (and identify with) the cloudiness and chaos of theory and thoughts, and we become disembodied. If we open some space in the body and teach ourselves to drop our consciousness deeply into our bodily structure, our energy will start to move down and in until it naturally anchors and stabilizes. 

Physically speaking, we have two basic aspects: the yang aspect which involves actively (but lightly) spreading out the structures and tissues, and the yin aspect which entails a lot of patiently listening to whatever is revealed by this spreading out. Whatever is revealed will release in due time; we cannot force a release but our conscious attention fuels this natural process so it can happen of its own accord. 

If I only release, then the weight of the release will collapse the structure, like a balloon deflating. 

If I only spread out through a forceful stretching then I will make myself perpetually more tight like an over-filled balloon (mentally and physically) and prevent any possibility of release. Both extremes prevent the union of the mind and body.

We are looking to refine a relaxedly held, attentive openness that gives space for the unconscious and deep parts of our system to naturally regulate themselves. We can view it as a spectrum that goes from collapsed, to a perfectly delicate and relaxed opening, to a forced, stretched opening that invites progressively more tension:

An less theoretical example can easily be made with the hand: if I relax the hand too much, it collapses, if I stretch it too much it gets tight. We are looking for the balanced central point of relaxed opening:

This workshop will present fundamental theory and exercises in a format that is both completely accessible to beginners, and will also provide deeper exploration points for advanced practitioners of the internal arts or other modalities of practice.

All are welcome, and no prior experience is necessary!

For more information about the workshop content, please visit our workshops / events page.

For questions, please email Craig

Pricing:
Early Bird $260 (use code EBCANB)
General $300

About Craig

Craig specializes in teaching internal and external physical practices, helping people to explore and restore their relationship to their body and internal landscape. He aims to teach methods that are sustainable, not tied down by culture, tradition or lineage, with the idea that we can continue exploring this vast landscape for the rest of our lives. Craig does his best to make my teachings of this complex topic as simple and clear as possible so they are accessible to everyone. Coming to us from Noosa, he is passionate about sharing his experience and knowledge with curious and interested students.