Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Pregnancy by Jaclyn Snyders

"I've come across something I absolutely must share with the world,

I was one of the lucky few to not suffer much with morning sickness or worse during my first trimestre.

My theory is this:

It's not so much to do with luck, but Daily Tai Chi and Chi Kung assists pregnant women to remain balanced; during a time when there is so much hormonal change in the body affecting mind, body and spirit, increasing connection with one's chi and fostering it's development creates an internal space of peace and balance.

If I am balanced and at peace, the lil one growing inside of me is happy and benefits too - it's a no brainer, but seemingly not something that is suggested in any pregnancy-related books I've read so far!

Around weeks 5-7 of my pregnancy, after telling the father about the pregnancy, I was contemplating moving house and then actually did, due to his rather negative reaction to this gift of life. For a couple of days during this time, I lost my centre and didn't make time for my morning practice and guess what? Felt nausea all through the days that followed.

As soon as I re-started my practice, I kept the nausea and the underlying anxiety at bay. It took a few days of not doing my morning practice for the nausea to kick in, but it took just one 20min session for me to regain a sense of balance - how powerful is that! My practice sustained me for a few days of not-doing and when I re-started, the benefits were felt IMMEDIATELY! This stuff should be taught at schools or should be common knowledge.

My first step in getting it out there as much as possible is to share it with everyone I know. So please distribute to your mailing list/post on your blog/add to your website/start classes for pregnant women!! "

Mid-Winter News

Join us for Candlelight Meditation on Sunday 6th December 5.30 pm to 7pm when Zen School of Shiatsu, Universal Healing Tao, Zen Shiatsu Society and Healing NLP gather to remember those who have gone before and to celebrate Life In Winter! bring food to share and a musical instrument to play, or just listen ... the nights draw in, as our thoughts of past and future turn to changing times. The season is Winter, the direction the North, the Time of death and conception: time to let go what restricts and open to that which frees. Should you leap from the cliff, go about your work as if your hair were on fire, or stroll through life supremely at leisure? Be yourself!

Click here for a glimpse of Mantak Chia's teachings on his recent visit, and here for the video on the first Taoist Trainers Retreat - Step 8, the Tao of High Degree.

Take your first Step on Foundations Step 1 Harmony of Yin and Yang, Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th November. The first Step in Taoist Practice to learn or improve your grounding, flexibility and stress management. Master chi with Chi Kung, Inner Smile, Microcosmic Orbit and the powerful Taoist breathing practices. No pre-requisites. Learn more here. Step 2 Healing Love, Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang, follows 12th and 13th December.

Chi Nei Tsang Specialist Study Day 30th November
Step 1 is pre-requisite for this extraordinarily effective Taoist healing art that combines well with other forms. Learn more at http://www.healing-tao.co.uk/ht_taoisthealing_req.htm

Tai Chi Winter Intensive with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis 9th & 10th January 2010.

Jade Arrows with Matt is on 25th November, Jade Circle with Anamarta on 4th December (Level 1) and 9th December (Level 2). Anamarta is also presenting a women's workshop Awakening your Inner Goddess... on Saturday 23rd January 2010.

Diary Note: 29th January - 1st February Introduction to Taoist Shamanic Healing. Unmissable! No pre-requisites! Read all about it

See here for the full Taoist training programme 2010 - and pictures of our beautiful new Taoist Trainers, the first to complete the rigorous requirements for Step 8, The Tao of High Degree.

November Newsletter London Universal Healing Tao

Meet Mantak Chia in London 30th October to 4th November here at the London Universal Healing Tao Centre. Don't miss him this time. Now you can register either on-line or by fax/post Learn more here for:

Friday evening 7 to 9pm
Talk and slideshow Healing Love for Individuals and Couples
£47 in advance, £57 cash or card on the day subject to availability

Saturday/Sunday 10am to 5pm
Weekend Workshop Supreme Inner Alchemy - Basic practice, Grandmaster Chia transmits the Primordial Force to help you Open the Microcosmic Orbit, Learn to master your emotions, mastering your chi
£197 some places left

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am to 5pm
Certified Practitioner Training
Supreme Inner Alchemy Healing Art: Cosmic Healing I.
£297 a few places remain

Learn more

Looking ahead, Foundations Step 1 Harmony of Yin and Yang runs through Saturday & Sunday 28th & 29th November The first Step in Taoist Practice to learn or improve your grounding, flexibility and stress management. Master chi with Chi Kung, Inner Smile, Microcosmic Orbit and the powerful Taoist breathing practices. No pre-requisites. Learn more about Step 1. Step 2 (click to see) Healing Love, Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang, follows 12th and 13th December.

Chi Nei Tsang Specialist Study Day 30th November
Step 1 is pre-requisite for this extraordinarily effective Taoist healing art that combines well with other forms. Learn more!

Look out for the Tai Chi Winter Intensive 9th & 10th January 2010
Enjoy the Tai Chi Camp video here

That wonderful CD we made seven years ago, Taoist Meditation, is now available as an audio-download in three parts, Inner Smile (18 minutes), Microcosmic Orbit (10 mins) and Six Healing Sounds (17mins). You can download each for just £3.97 as mp3 files to play in iTunes or Windows media. Click to learn more
We originally made the video as part of the Lets Do It project to help fund new permanent premises for Zen School of Shiatsu and Universal Healing Tao UK and now we've been established in our beautiful new home for over three years! Time flies. Huge appreciation to all who gave their time, energy and talent: acknowledgements in the catalog.

Jade Arrows is on 21st October, Jade Circle on 28th October (Level 2) and 6th November (level1),

All ways to help others
Kris and Marta

October in the Tao

I thought to give you a little more information on Taoist events in October, in particular the Couples 1 training weekend, and Mantak Chia's teachings for Individuals and Couples at the end of the month.

Tantric Secrets of Love 1 If you are in a partnership and interested in ways to deepen and enhance your relationship, perhaps add a spiritual dimension without giving up any of the pleasures of the physical - in fact increasing them - and learning new techniques to spice up your encounters then why not join us? With so many opportunities for tantric practice in our New Age few seem to be taught by a Couple. I recently saw a listing for a festival of tantra with over 30 speakers, of which only 3 were teaching in partnership. Please understand, I have absolutely nothing against single individuals teaching tantra, as I did myself for many years before entering a committed relationship with my beloved Anamarta. My point here is I believe it is reassuring for couples to be taught by a couple coming from a background and with experience of practice together: living and loving in the Tao.

The basic Couples Training is a great opportunity for you and your partner to learn more about this aspect of Taoist practice. You don't need any knowledge or experience and the only pre-requisites are to come as a couple - and with an open mind. We practise only with our own partners. Anamarta and I guide you through the first steps of Taoist tantra from an overview of the different traditions (the Tao honours all ways) through the beautiful Nine Flowers massage to the Dance of Dragon and Tiger.

Many who have taken a little time to learn the Tantric Secrets of Love have discovered a pleasurable sensual practice, wonderful for enhancing relationship. You may have in mind a special person to surprise and delight, a new partner to impress, or to refresh your relationship with a long-loved friend or lover.

The weekend is from Saturday through Monday, 10th to 12th October, 10am to 5pm at our Universal Healing Tao Centre, 68 Great Eastern Street, London EC2A 3JT. You can sign up on-line here or Learn more with a click here and the cost of the 3-day training is just £397 per couple.

Of course, not everyone is a couple! Mantak Chia's Talk and Slideshow on the evening of Friday 30th October is on his specialist subject "Supreme Inner Sexual Alchemy - Healing Love for Individuals and Couples". I love the clarity of his explanations - I've been seeing them for nigh on 20 years now and never tire of hearing those rich tones guiding us through the images of ancient practice that can do so much to enliven our modern world.

On the Saturday and Sunday he teaches "Supreme Inner Alchemy - Basic practice", transmitting the Primordial Force to help you open the Microcosmic Orbit, learn to master emotions, master your chi. My first memory of training with him is of how he takes us from fits of giggles to deep meditation- this was a pleasant surprise as I had gone with the expectation that everything would be very sombre and serious. And this year Master - now Grandmaster! - Mantak Chia is teaching throughout his visit at our London Universal Healing Tao Centre, our beautiful permanent home in the heart of London. Learn more here

The last three days of his visit is a Practitioner Certification course in Level 1 of Cosmic Healing. This I believe is a must for anyone on the energy-healing path. You learn new and different things very quickly and effectively and what you take away is a way of helping others and looking after your own self: guarding against energy-depletion or contamination. I have used the techniques on their own, to enhance my Shiatsu and Chi Nei Tsang, and as a sound introduction to Shamanic Healing.

Beginners are welcome both to the Couples Training and Mantak Chia's visit: no pre-requisites, so don't delay! You can sign up on-line for Mantak Chia here.

I should mention also, for those who have completed the first three Steps of the Taoist training, we have a Step 4 Introduction to Taoist Shamanism coming up over the four days 23rd to 26th October, Friday through Monday, 10am to 5pm.

I look forward to seeing you this month!

October News at Universal Healing Tao UK

Congratulations to Matt Lewis, Tanya McCormack, Anamarta, Annie Hooley, Bernadette Carelse and Samara Hawthorn on completing the Step 8 Tao of High Degree Retreat at Monchique in Algarve. The first ones who completed so far!...Well done, the new generation of Taoist Trainers!

Couples Training with Kris and Anamarta October 10th to 12th. No pre-requisites, apart from being a couple. Great for relationship and deepening the practice. Learn more

Mantak Chia in London 30th October to 4th November here at the London Universal Healing Tao Centre. Bookings open NOW for:

Friday evening 7 to 9pm 30th October
Talk and slideshow Healing Love

Saturday/Sunday 10am to 5pm 31st October-1st November
Weekend Workshop Supreme Inner Alchemy - Basic practice, Grandmaster Chia will transmit the Primordial Force to help you Open the Microcosmic Orbit, Learn to master your emotions, mastering your chi

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10am to 5pm 2nd to 4th November
Certified Practitioner Training
Supreme Inner Alchemy Healing Art: Cosmic Healing I.

Bookings are coming in fast - don't miss him this time. Learn more and sign up

and not only but also - we are seeking a London-based martial arts club to sponsor an Evening with GrandMaster Chia for a programme of Tai Chi and Iron Shirt on one of his evenings- Saturday through Tuesday. If you are a member of such a club, email.

Jade Circle introduces new dates for newcomers and introducing Level 2 for the more experienced.
Jade Circle level I (All women are welcome!) on Friday 9th October with Anamarta.
Jade Circle level II (All women who already came to a Jade Circle and heard the Jade Egg explanation are welcome!) on Wednesday 30th September with Anamarta. We focus on the Jade Egg secrets and practice the powerful Jade Egg exercises! Learn more

Jade Arrows the men's club for Taoist practice meets Wednesday 21st October, 6.30 to 8pm. For info call Matt 07949 602 216 or click for the web page

Tai Chi in full swing again, Monday evenings at the Centre with Matt Lewis. The Summer Camp was great - take a look with a click here (great music!)

FIT FOR PURPOSE

You know how you look at people when they're fit. Probably how they look at you when you're fit! August is packed with new and exciting events to help YOU be a perfect fit for purpose member of the superhuman race. Special Summer Schools in Tao Yin (new), Zen Shiatsu, Jade Circle Beauty Tips (new) (from a L'Oreal former model now Tantric Dakini,) Tai Chi, Enlightenment Qigong (new), and Healing NLP Practitioner Certification training. Everything with recession-busting savings, too, plus a special 'heatwave meditation', "Under the Waterfall."©
So, for Summer Benefits, read on and click your pick.

LEARN ZEN SHIATSU: Summer School with Master of the Zen School Kris Deva North. No pre-requisites. August 3rd to 6th. New career-fit or helping hands fit for family and friends. Learn more about the Zen School including full course information See the new video Yin Yang Zen Shiatsu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elMdYoO4wkc

LET YOUR INNER BEAUTY OUT and get beauty-fit with L'Oreal former model now Tantric Dakini Anamarta of the Jade Circle. Saturday August 8th. Let your Inner Beauty out! Learn more about Let your Inner Beauty Out . See the video of Anamarta demonstrating Kuan Yin Chi Kung warm-up exercises including Chi Self-massage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNQccG0MTU

Experience TAO YIN Yoga for the first time in the UK and get fit with Chi-Master Matt Lewis of the Universal Healing Tao Centre. Beginners to advanced, no pre-requisites. Sunday 9th August. Like Yoga? Love Tao Yin! Like Chi Kung? Love Tao Yin! Taster evening 29th July 6.30 to 8pm Learn more about Tao Yin including fees and booking info

Enjoy TAI CHI CAMP and get Tai Chi-Chi Kung-fit in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside with Kris Deva North and Matt Lewis at the Rosewell Centre. Beginners to advanced, no pre-requisites. Learn Form, hands, weapons, demonstrations, practice. 11th to 16th August (free rough-camping) http://www.healing-tao.co.uk/Tai_Chi_training.htm Taster evening 27th July See the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4sqKt5T070

Enlighten your QIGONG and get fit with Andrew Fretwell, Taoist brother and Senior Instructor Universal Healing Tao, 22 and 23 August. Learn more

Enhance your Mindpower with HEALING NLP and get head-fit with Kris Deva North Licensed Trainer on Society of NLP Practitioner Certification Training 24th thru' 31st August. Free Evening Talk and Demo 7pm to 9pm Friday 31st July, no need to book, just come on by Healing NLP @ Zen School of Shiatsu, 68 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3JT. No pressure, no obligation: in NLP you make your own choices, so start now. TASTER Day Saturday1st August. Learn more about NLP including fees and booking info

"Under the Waterfall"
People have told me this has been helpful to cool down and calm their energy on very hot days, in close conditions, or when feeling over-excited, dizzy or nauseous:
Imagine yourself sitting under a waterfall, your feet on cool wet grass
Close your eyes and lift your face to the water, imagine feeling it splash cool on your face
Spread your hands to the water, let it splash cool on your hands
Sit upright and let the water flow down, all over the crown of your head and cooling down, over all your skin, down to your feet on the cool wet grass,
and then
Imagine feeling the water pour down, into the crown of your head and cooling down, all under your skin, down to your feet on the cool wet grass,
and then
Let the water cascade down, through the crown of your head and cooling down, gushing down through the centre of your being, down to your feet on the cool wet grass,
and then
repeat three times
Under the Waterfall © Kris Deva North May 1972

Tune in with TAO YIN Taoist Yoga

Tao Yin, from Mantak Chia's book of the same name, is the Taoist form of Yoga

A GREAT ONE-DAY WORKSHOP 9th August 10am to 5 pm

NO PRE-REQUISITES, Ideal both for Beginners and for more experienced
The Tao Yin workshop includes Chi Self massage and the Warm-up exercises.
Like Yoga? Love Tao Yin! Like Chi Kung? Love Tao Yin! And here's why:

In the old days when people still lived close to nature, the heat that was released by the body was absorbed by the woods. These days, the artificial environments that we live in don't provide us with this kind of release. Heat is more and more trapped in the body, causing it to overheat and to damage the internal organs. This may cause various diseases including heart attacks.

Tao Yin lying and sitting positions for exercise contain a set of postures, breathing exercises, and meditation that are designed to move the excess heat out of the body. They stretch, detoxify and revitalize the muscles and the tendons. While in the relaxation period after the active phase of movement and stretching, we guide the Chi with the breath to that particular part of the body affected by the exercise. This yin phase of the practice expels the heat and opens the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that are emphasized in the postures.

In general, the combination of active and passive phases of the practice conditions the spine, tendons, ligaments, muscles and diaphragm - and in ways that cannot be achieved in standing and moving positions. A balanced session of practice opens chi flow throughout all the meridians, removes toxins and tension throughout the body and engenders a deep sense of relaxed peace and calm - yet wonderfully energized at the same time.

In particular, Tao Yin focuses especially on the Psoas muscle because of its central role in our body. The Psoas muscle connects and moves the hips, spine and legs; all movements of Tai Chi Chi Kung come from the Psoas muscle. The kidneys are connected to the Psoas muscle, and the nerves move it from behind. While doing Tao Yin, one also trains the Second Brain in the abdomen as the control and coordination center of awareness for the body. Practicing Tao Yin is very helpful for the practice of Iron Shirt and of Tai Chi Chi Kung.

Come by the London Tao Centre, 68 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3JT - Old St/Liverpool St Tubes/BR
Just £87 for the whole day workshop with Chi-Master Matt Lewis, Chief Instructor Universal Healing Tao UK

Click here to Register
All course calendar

Resource: Tao Yin, by Mantak Chia