Congratulations to Grandmaster Mantak Chia

Congratulations to Grandmaster Mantak Chia on a successful visit to London, thanks to organisers Christine, Leigh, and Alternatives. Those who completed GM Chia's Basic Course can progress their training with Healing Love, those who did both can go on to Fusion, and those who missed the visit can join the next Taoist Inner Alchemy training on 12th & 13th November at the London Tao Centre: Wisdom + Action: Visualisation, Dynamic meditation, Power Qigong = Stress management, Grounding, Flexibility. Authentic training with experienced instructors.

Meanwhile check out the Mantak Chia Book Sale for some astonishing bargains: fill your stocking with our re-stocking.

Tai Chi Training Camp and Summer Retreat

The 2011 Tai Chi Boot and Slipper Camp brought together some dedicated and enthusiastic practitioners. Dedicated to the Taoist practice, they had all completed the Third Step, Greatest Harmony of Yin and Yang, and all but one had either completed the Fourth or registered for the next training: Introduction to Taoist Shamanism.

This outstanding group's knowledge and experience showed up in the Tai Chi training, the balance between inner meditation and external action. Within just a few days under the guidance of Chief Instructor Matt Lewis and Taoist Trainer Anamarta, and the watchful eye of Master-Trainer Kris Deva North, they mastered the intricacies of the 13-Movement Yang-family form and Tai Chi Chuan Hand, Stick and Staff in the tradition of the Hidden Masters.

They have indeed set a benchmark to challenge the next generation!

Tucked away in a valley in the Welsh hills, we rose early each day for training, cooked our communal meals over a wood camp-fire, and spent our evenings in walks through the forest learning the nature of trees, and survival skills such as making a fire with wet wood, without matches, lighter or paper.

On the last evening we discovered that the skills of staff-twirling gathered throughout the training had endowed us with instant expertise in fire-dancing! what a treat, and what fun we had.

The event was hosted by Taoist Trainer Samara Hawthorn who joined us when not herding her gangs of children and animals - whose presence was a real delight. Beware a 3-year-old wielding a Tai Chi stick!

We were sorry to leave, although feeling full of achievement, but really looking forward to coming back next year!

Maire writes: "Thanks to all of you for an amazing 5 days of tai chi boot and slipper camp! I never thought I'd learn so much. It was quality, quality teaching that always seemed new and different. And really good fun.... I still have visions of that lovely walk down to the school and I miss cooking on an open fire!
Thanks for it all,
MG
ps I'd recommend Tai Chi camp for anyone who'd like to know more about their spirit."

Tai Chi Boot & Slipper Camp and more

Tai Chi Boot & Slipper Camp
Get fit, get sharp, get supple! The Boot (rhymes with root, yang, for grounding) & Slipper (yin, for supple) Tai Chi Summer Retreat and Training Camp in a remote but friendly valley wilderness of South Wales gives you tough work-outs, dynamic Chi Kung, improved flexibility and effective self-defence, a real confidence-builder.
Men, Women, Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced learn with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis and Taoist Trainers of the London Tao Centre. Dynamic Tai Chi: Form, Structures and Applications, Push-hands, Sticky- and Tricky- hands, Tai Chi stick and staff.
7 am to 5 pm daily Wednesday through Saturday (to noon Sunday) with breaks for meals, rest, recreation and exploration of the hidden valley. Nothing better than fresh Welsh air to liven up the lungs and green Welsh hills to liven up the legs!

All are welcome: all ages, all levels from absolute beginner, all Tai Chi styles for the experienced. See the video and more here.Arrive Tuesday 9th afternoon to set up camp: free rough-camping, bring your tent, plate/bowl, cup/mug, knife, fork/spoon, food to share. We organise the cooking rota on Tuesday evening. August 9th to 14th. Find out more with a click here (If you're on the path to Step 5 this is a pre-requisite: get it done and enjoy the doing.)

Let your Inner Beauty Out
A special Workshop for Women to celebrate and embrace beauty and the Yang Peak of the year, the Summer. Along with the Yin Taoist practices, meditations, Kuan Yin Chi Kung, dance and much more, with former L'Oreal model and Taoist Trainer Anamarta. Saturday 6th August 10 am to 5.30 pm. Earlybird saving until 27th July Learn more here

Tao Yin Taoist Yoga
A great one-day workshop ideal both for beginners and the more experienced/advanced, based on Mantak Chia's book Tao Yin, with Chi-Master Matt Lewis. Like Yoga? Love Tao Yin! Like Chi Kung? Love Tao Yin! The Tao Yin Workshop includes Chi Self-Massage and the Warm-Up exercises. Sunday 7th August Learn more

Enlightenment 'WuJi' Qigong
with Taoist brother Andrew Fretwell. • Super Easy to Learn - Any Age • Delivers Amazing and Quick Energy • Great Health Benefits (stress reduction etc.) • Awakens Deep Peace of True Inner Self • Your Spiritual Presence feels more Powerful • Perfect Daily Meditation + Exercise • Integrates Tai Chi, Feng Shui, Chi Kung, & Inner Alchemy. 20th & 21st August. Learn more

New ebook: Zen Tao Tantra
69 images, 88 pages packed with stories, drawings and meditations from the sublime to the salacious: Kris Deva North's journeys of discovery in the past quarter-century began with the simplicity of Zen, led into the complexity of Tao, and culminates in Tantra. Look here with a click. You could be reading it in a minute, only £2.97 instant download pdf.

Taoist Medicine Wheel:
Tao of the Shaman 1, Taoist Shaman secrets revealed from rites of initiation to living death, uncut: click to see.

Taoist Training Season soon in June!

the Taoist Training Season starts on the last weekend in June: I recommend the first three Steps of Taoist Training to everyone. Beyond that, a certain dedication and commitment is required. Its powerful stuff, not for all, but you can find out as I did, in easy stages.

25th & 26th June Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 1 with Kris & Anamarta. No pre-requisites, Beginners Welcome

9th & 10th July Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 2: Healing Love. Step 1 is pre-req.

16th July Weekend Shiatsu join 10am or 2pm: Beginners Welcome

20th July Jade Arrows for Men with Matt

22nd thru' 25th July Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 3: Power of Fusion. Step 2 is pre-req.

9th through 14th August Tai Chi Summer Retreat and Training Camp

Every Monday toughen up with Dynamic Tai Chi with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis

Step 1 Foundations of Taoist Practice 25th & 26th June with Kris and Anamarta: the first Step to the Inner World of the Taoist Shaman, beginning the process of harmonisation: mind, body and spirit learn to work together, to be at ease together, to live together. Breathing, structural exercises and meditation turn stress into vitality with Iron Shirt Chi Kung (QiGong in the modern spelling) the Inner Smile, the Microcosmic Orbit (“small heavenly cycle” in the traditional texts) and Six Healing Sounds. No pre-requisites, beginners welcome!

Step 2 Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang Healing Love for Individuals and Couples, July 9th & 10th: Motivation, Increased confidence; Managing personal energy through Completion of Microcosmic Orbit, Intermediate breath-practice, Upward draw, big draw. Step 1 is pre-requisite for Step 2,

Step 3 Greatest Harmony of Yin and Yang: the Power of Fusion runs Friday 22nd July through Monday 25th. Detoxing the past, neutralising fear, managing emotions and habits, strengthen your energy field, enhance grounding!

Steps 1 & 2 are pre-requisite.

Jade Circle 24th June Level 2 with Anamarta at the London Tao Centre.

Jade Arrows for Men 20th July with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis

Bookings are coming in already for the Tai Chi Summer Retreat (Tai Chi Boot Camp, say some!) August 9th to 14th, so make sure of your place now.

Taoist Medicine Wheel: Tao of the Shaman 1, Taoist Shaman secrets revealed from rites of initiation to living death, uncut: click to see. click here to hear and for author interview on Paranormal radio, Astral travel to Zen meditation via Shamanism and Taoist mysticism - click to hear the Texan drawl - laid back, entertaining, and great questions.

For the full Taoist Calendar click here. Watch the Iron Shirt Chi Kung video here.; Learn about the Jade Circle here

Sale of Books and special savings on Resource Packs for Steps 1 to 4, Tai Chi, Chi Nei Tsang, Jade Circle.

Like Universal Healing Tao on Facebook Tweet Tao Twitter

Jade Arrows Workshop for Men with Matt Lewis - Saturday 28th May 10am to 5pm

The workshop will focus on male sexuality and the Tao. Exploring the background to taoist practices and their relationship to male energy, facilitated by Universal Healing Tao UK Chief Instructor Matt Lewis.
Learn how conserving and recycling energy can make amazing changes to your life.
Also covered will be:
Self massage
Opening the Microcosmic Orbit,
Inner Smile meditation
Tan Tien Chi Kung,
Wisdom Chi Kung
Healing Sounds
Tao Yin
All men are welcome - whether you are new to the Tao or have had some experience already. The workshop is both a perfect introduction into taoist practices and an opportunity to learn new techniques and explore new areas.

London Universal Healing Tao Centre 68 Great Eastern Street EC2A 3JT London.

Just £75 for the full day = Sign up now

June Newsletter 2011

Taoist Training

The Summer cycle starts again with a Yin (for women) Step 1 and Jade Egg Workshop with Anamarta in Dublin, 4th to 6th June: just two places left.

In London, the mixed Step 1 Foundations of Taoist Practice is 25th & 26th June with Kris and Anamarta: the first Step to the Inner World of the Taoist Shaman, beginning the process of harmonisation: mind, body and spirit learn to work together, to be at ease together, to live together. Breathing, structural exercises and meditation turn stress into vitality with Iron Shirt Chi Kung (QiGong in the modern spelling) the Inner Smile, the Microcosmic Orbit (“small heavenly cycle” in the traditional texts) and Six Healing Sounds.

Jade Arrows 28th May, a full one-day workshop for men with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis at the London Tao Centre. Exploring the background to Taoist practices and their relationship to male energy. All men are welcome - whether you are new to the Tao or have had some experience already. The workshop is both a perfect introduction into Taoist practices and an opportunity to learn new techniques and explore new areas.

Jade Circle 10th June Level 1 with Anamarta at the London Tao Centre. All women are welcome. 24th June Level 2

Taoist Medicine Wheel: Tao of the Shaman 1, Taoist Shaman secrets revealed from rites of initiation to living death, uncut: click to see. click here to hear and for author interview on Paranormal radio, Astral travel to Zen meditation via Shamanism and Taoist mysticism - click to hear the Texan drawl - laid back, entertaining, and great questions.

For the full Taoist Calendar click here. Watch the Iron Shirt Chi Kung video here.; Learn about the Jade Circle here

Sale of Books and special savings on Resource Packs for Steps 1 to 4, Tai Chi, Chi Nei Tsang, Jade Circle.

Like Universal Healing Tao on Facebook Tweet Tao Twitter Taoist Blog

Mantak - the Movie

Read the book? Done a course? Met the Man? None of the above?
Now's your chance to see 'How It All Began', the Story of how Mantak Chia brought Tao to the West, from humble beginnings in New York's Chinatown to a vast international system spanning the globe.
Meet the teachers, hear the stories of how one man's vision gave new life and purpose to thousands.
From Office Manager to Grandmaster: 'How It All Began,'
showing Saturday 7th May @ 7.30 pm (1 hr 33')
at the Universal Healing Tao Centre 68 Great Eastern Street London EC2A 3JT

ADMISSION FREE

'How It All Began, Origins of the Universal Healing Tao'
starring
MANTAK CHIA,
featuring Juan Li, Michael Winn and others.
Co-produced, directed and presented by

Karin Sorvik
Taoist Minister, UHT Instructor and
Director of the New York Healing Tao Center and Tao Healing Arts.com.
The DVD will be available to buy after the screening, proceeds going to the Healing Tao Society
Herbal tea provided, bring your own popcorn/coke/chocolate.
Planning to attend? Click here and type Save my Place.

MORE ENERGY LESS STRESS: 25th & 26th June

STEP 1 BEGINNER 1 Foundation Access (1st Year) Stress management, Grounding, Flexibility The Harmony of Yin and Yang NO PRE-REQUISITES - BEGINNERS WELCOME
The first Step of Taoist Practice begins the process of harmonisation: mind, body and spirit learn to work together, to be at ease together, to live together. Breathing, structural exercises and meditation turn stress into vitality with Iron Shirt Chi Kung (QiGong in the modern spelling) the Inner Smile, the Microcosmic Orbit (“small heavenly cycle” in the traditional texts) and Six Healing Sounds.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: Chi Self Massage Exercises to transform stress into vitality Meditation of the Six Healing Sounds Meditation of the Inner Smile (Both meditations cleanse the organs, recycle negativity and the effects of stress.) Introduction to the Microcosmic Orbit the ancient foundation for the threefold path of Self-development, Healing, and Meditation. Awakening the universal (yang), earth (yin), and human-dimension (chi) energies develops and circulates increased life-force within your Self.
The basic structures of Iron Shirt Chi Kung (QiGong) for rooting, centering and body-awareness. Embracing the Tree, Turtle, Buffalo, Iron Bridge, Golden Urn, Golden Phoenix.
The effects are increased vitality, stamina, enhanced ability to fight disease and greater protection from injury, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.
Taoist Breathing: for intense energy-development and internal power
A look at some simple Tai Chi movements: whereas Chi Kung develops rooting and grounding, Tai Chi offers flexibility and adaptibility. The combination offers the means to cope with day-to-day life and more, to live life to the full.
Many students have learned to awaken the universal (yang), earth (yin), and human-dimension (chi) energies, to develop and circulate increased life-force.
Develop a form of daily practice suitable for you, to integrate with your own personal life-situation.
Step 1 Foundations Weekend is an ideal introduction for both women and men, singles and couples, young and old, and is a pre-requisite for Step 2 - Healing Love, Step 3 Power of Fusion, Advanced Iron Shirt and preparation for Nourishing the Spirit and the Higher Practices.
Save money by multiple registration: for 2 courses paid in full in advance deduct 10% from the combined total, for 3 or more courses deduct 20%.
NO PRE-REQUISITES - BEGINNERS WELCOME Learn more/sign up

Women's 3-day Meditation with Anamarta

Sat 12th thru' Monday 14th March 2011 - 10am to 5.30pm
Special Yin Step 1 - Taoist Training, Kuan Yin Chi Kung, secrets of the Jade Egg

ANCIENT PRACTICE FOR MODERN WOMEN
Jade Circle presents a unique workshop to welcome all women willing to learn more about the Jade Egg Holistic Practice and apply the benefits at all levels: physical, emotional and energetic.

**Awaken the body sacredness and sensuous femininity,
**Connect with your Divine Feminine,
**Enjoy a deep and intimate relationship with yourself,
**Reclaim your inner wisdom,
**Improve your sexual health, natural beauty & vitality,!!
**And much more!…

As in the Taoist philosophy of Yin & Yang, the aim of this Practice is to find harmony within, to connect and honour the feminine and masculine, the love/emotional and the sexual/creative, and to bring this balance into your life. By opening and evolving the path of self-healing and self-mastery, you live life to the full!
The first Step of Taoist Practice begins the process of harmonisation: mind, body and spirit learn to work together, to be at ease together, to live together.
In addition to the regular Step 1 practices of Inner Smile, Six Healing Sounds and Microcosmic Orbit, you will learn in the first two days:

*Rooting, centering and body-awareness with Kuan Yin Chi Kung
*The extra Healing Sound for Women, the 7th for the Jade Gate.
*Laughing Chi Kung, Taoist Breathing and Special Chi Self Massage for Women to increase blood-flow to the vital organs, stimulating energy and hormonal balance.
*Sacrum secrets, the sacredness of the sacrum bone, the connection with your internal universe, the gate to the universe beyond the visible.
*In tune with the Earth Mother, engage with her healing, sensuality and expansion power.
*Kuan Yin techniques to keep breasts healthy and firm, replenish energy lost through menstruation, and enhance vitality.
*Introduction to Breath of Life: bringing chi into the sources of Life, the ovaries, accessing the healing and creative power of the ovarian energy.
Benefit from rejuvenation, self-love and self-empowerment.

And then, on the Third Day, Jade Egg Day - Secrets of the famous Chinese drilled Jade Egg Practice, in the tradition of four thousand years!
The Jade Egg Practice is a Chi Kung practice for the reproductive organs, moving the chi, offering a way for women to create and live a harmonious, pleasurable and juicy life. You will learn:

*Warming the Stove: preparing to work with the Jade Egg.
*Sacred Ceremony: to create and honour the time and space to celebrate the Divine Feminine.
*Discovery and Application of the Jade Egg: secrets for healing, inner guidance, body and sexual awareness and increased pleasure.
*Specific Jade Egg Practices and Powerful Exercises to strengthen reproductive organs and internal muscles, awakening pleasure spots, increasing sensitivity.

The combination of these three days offers women resources, to look after themselves; refining their emotions, circulating the energy through all their being, accessing deep awareness and wisdom of their body and inner self, feeling the benefits of the Jade Egg Holistic Practice and rejuvenation programme,
at the physical level, with healthy and revitalised sexual organs;
at the emotional level: inner harmony;
and the energetic level, with the power to direct and recycle energy for their higher purpose.
And develop your own daily practice just right for you!

This workshop runs in a safe, relax and welcoming atmosphere, with carefully held boundaries helps you understand the theory and experiment with the practical activities.
What to bring?
Comfortable clothing, sarong/skirt (optional) on the 3rd day;
Journal;
Yoga matte or something comfortable to lie on;
Open mind & Open heart!

Sign up Now!

AWAKENING YOUR INNER GODDESS...FOLLOW YOUR INNER WISDOM!

Sunday 27th February 2011 - 10am to 5.30pm

Ladies, Sisters,

Anamarta is proud to present a special workshop to celebrate and embrace the Yin Peak of the year, the Winter! Along with the Taoist practices we're going to awaken, stimulate or just allow space for our Inner Goddess to bloom and to be fully present.

Through meditation, Kuan Yin Chi Kung, dance, and much more, you'll:

**Do the Ceremony of the Sacred Water.

**Explore the different manifestations of the Goddess Power within and without.

**Reclaim your Divine Feminine, honour it and enjoy it!

**Embrace your inner wisdom.

**Learn how to keep your kidneys (the Winter organ, which regulates our sexual energy and links with our wisdom & gentleness), healthy and radiant.

What to bring?

Something special for you that represent your yin energy, your femininity, yourself!

Why not wear your best Goddess clothes, what makes you feel good externally and internally.

You can make savings when you combine this Jade Circle (women only!) workshop with the JADE CIRCLE I - Special Yin Step 1: learn how

VALENTINES WEEKEND for Couples: February 12th & 13th

DO YOU KNOW your partner’s most potent arousal point?

CAN YOU TELL the strength of his/her libido?

DO YOU WANT to know secrets of pleasure - giving and receiving?

DO YOU BELIEVE that however good you are already – you can be a more effective lover?

WOULD YOU LIKE to spend two days of sensual delight exploring how Pleasure can open the door to Bliss on the path to Ecstasy and, ultimately, connection with Spirit?

"Tantra 1 was a wonderful experience. What a valentines gift!! A beautiful intimate weekend with fun, deep time to reconnect with my loved one, looking forward to the next one." S.D. & L.P.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
What is Tantra and how it can help with relationship.
Overview of tantric traditions: Indian, Tibetan,Taoist.
Energy Centres/Chakras as Gateways to Spirit
Qigong (Chi Kung) for Couples
Sexercises to warm up and cool down.
Prelude to Intimacy: The Art of Tantric Touch
Magic Buttons and how to press them.
Intimate Tantric Massage
The Whole Body
The Nine Flowers
"We would like to thank you both again for the wonderful weekend we had - we really didn't want to leave! Tao Tantra 1 was great for the foundation of tantric practice." J.G. & J.
Pre-requisite: being a couple!
Couples work/play only with their own partner
Please bring: big fluffy towel; silk cloth; sarong/lunghi/kikoi; rug/blanket/sheepskin; open mind
"Our objective of reconnecting and spending some quality time together was successfully met. We both feel we came away more intimate & loving towards each other with some great new tools/ exercises that we are able to work into our relationship.(...)the chi kung for couples has become part of our morning courtship!(...)It was a pleasure to be led by a couple who were genuinely benefiting from the exercises themselves as well as embodying the Way."C.C. & J.H.

Sign up here to give yourselves a treat!

Learn more about Taoist Tantric Massage in ‘A Touch of Sex, Shiatsu Secrets for Love’ co-authored by Taoist Master Mantak Chia & Kris Deva North

"I would like to thank you for the loving intimacy that you expressed this weekend as a couple which contributed a great deal to the quality of love that was reflected in the ease of participants in what was a very warm and heartful group energy." K.W. & J.

Workshop Facilitators: Kris Deva North & Anamarta

...and when you have enjoyed this first step on this Taoist tantric path and completed the Foundation Step 1 - Harmony of Yin and Yang , you may like to explore together Tao of Tantra Part 2...and beyond.

"I really enjoyed the heightened intimacy my partner and I now share as a result of the practices we learned on Tantra 1 & 2. We enjoyed every minute of discovering each other in a completely new and exciting ways on these courses." L.P. & S.D.

TAOIST SHAMANIC HEALING: Taoist Shamanism London training

Learning secrets of the Hidden Masters, healing warriors and barefoot healers stepping lightly in all worlds. A rare opportunity for training like this cosmic chi kung, Hands of Light without pre-requisites. Come by 4-day event in London: Friday 28th thru' Monday 31st, 10am to 5pm daily.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Communing with Spirit
Journey through the Inner Eye, Heaven's Garden, Moon Gates, Steps and Chambers.
Affirmations

Guides Totems and Animals
Taoist Medicine Wheel, relationships to other traditions
African, American, Australian, Druid, Hawaiian, Indian/Nepali, Pagan, Shinto, Siberian, Tibetan, Wiccan,

Space Clearing and Cleansing
Personal, General and Specific

Shamanic Tools & Uses
Intuition, dreams, prayer and ceremony, hands, wand, bowl, drum, fan, incense, sage, water, herbs

Crystal Seminar
exploring the stone people, ancient allies and healing tools of the shaman

Shamanic Techniques
Intention, visualisation, communing with others; drilling, cutting, separating

Aura
Seeing, sensing, feeling, healing

Directing
Aura, energy field, anatomy, meridians and points

Adapting other traditions
Hawaiian Calabash of Light; Native American medicine cards

Practice
Evaluation, application

Daily practice on this workshop includes the 'Hands of Light' (Cosmic Chi Kung) exercises to develop sensitivity to etheric fields and enhance healing power. See demonstration video below.

Reading resource for this workshop is Taoist Medicine Wheel - Tao of the Shaman 1

This workshop is pre-requisite for Step 5, Tao of the Shaman
You can continue with Taoist Shamanic Training by going on through Steps 4 and 5 (Steps 1 to 3 pre-requisite).

Register early - make the commitment and benefit from the savings for multiple registration: 10% off the combined total for booking 2 courses, 20% off for 3 or more.
Sign up on-line

SPECIAL OFFER Taoist Shaman: Practices from the Wheel of Life PAPERBACK VERSION

SPECIAL OFFER Taoist Shaman: Practices from the Wheel of Life PAPERBACK VERSION
This is the latest and some say greatest book by Mantak Chia and Kris Deva North. Taoist Shaman comes out in the UK early March 2011.

Here's the Deal:

If you buy YOUR COPY here and now before its UK publication we will:

* reserve your copy NOW

* charge you just £11 INCLUDING postage and packing

* send it to your delivery address as soon as our stock arrives.

About Taoist Shaman

The shamanic roots of Taoist practice;

Explains the principles of the Taoist Medicine Wheel, including the Five Elements, the animals of the Chinese zodiac, and the trigrams of the I Ching;

Includes exercises from the Wheel of Love to access the Tao of Ecstasy;

Contains beautifully illustrated teaching stories about the Eight Immortals.

Thousands of years ago the immortals known as the Shining Ones shipwrecked on the Chinese coast. Passing their shamanic practices--such as ecstatic flight and how to find power animals and spirit guides--on to the indigenous people, they also taught them the wisdom of the Medicine Wheel. From the Taoist Medicine Wheel came the principles of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the Eight Forces, the Chinese zodiac, and the I Ching. The Taoist Medicine Wheel can also be found at the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine and the esoteric sexual practices of Taoist Alchemy.

In the Taoist Shaman, Masters Mantak Chia and Kris Deva North explain the shamanic principles of the Taoist Medicine Wheel, how it is oriented on the Five Elements rather than the Four Directions, how it relates to the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac and the trigrams of the I Ching, and how it aligns with the Eight Forces of the Pakua. Through illustrated teaching stories, the authors show how the energetic principles of each of the Eight Forces are reflected in the Eight Immortals. Revealing the wheel’s application to sacred sexuality, they offer exercises from the “Wheel of Love” to strengthen and deepen relationships as well as providing a means to access the Tao of Ecstasy.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Putting Taoist Shamanic Techniques into Practice

1 Taoist Shamanic Tradition--from Mystery to History

2 The Taoist Medicine Wheel

3 The Five Elements

4 The Eight Forces

5 The Twelve Animals

6 The I Ching Hexagrams and Daily Life

7 Shamanic Practice

8 Spirit Guides

9 Comparison with Other Traditions

10 Creating Power Fields

11 The Wheel of Healing

12 Turning the Wheel of Love

Buy now with a click here

Winter Newsletter

Here comes Winter with her dark white tree-clawed sky, and when better to renew friendships? Bringing the Courage of Autumn to the Wisdom of Winter with remembrance, reconciliation and peace-making, celebrating Kris's 70th at our Winter Gathering on 5th December, bring food to share, a song to sing and a heart of light. Candlelight Meditation and feasting from 5.30 pm at 68 Great Eastern Street.

Meanwhile, exciting pre-hibernation things to do: A Shiatsu Open Evening followed by Intensive Immersion, and a Taoist Step 1 followed by ... Step 2! And, early days yet but bookings in already for Tai Chi Winter Intensive, Tao Yin, Taoist Shamanic Healing in January, and a Valentine Weekend for Couples in February (a few spaces left, see below). Come on by!

All the info on what you like - see you there!

Cool links to connect you with what's what, where and how:

• 19th November Jade Circle Level 2 with Anamarta
• 24th November Zen Shiatsu Free Open Evening with Kris and Marta: no need to book, come on by and learn about the Zen approach to Shiatsu
• 27th & 28th November Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 1: Harmony of Yin and Yang, the first experience of Taoist Alchemy: transforming stress into vitality, awaken healing light.
• 29th November to 2nd December Shiatsu Intensive Immersion with Kris and Marta, four days of the Art of Gentle Healing, leading to Certificate in Practical Shiatsu and your first steps on the Way of the Helping Hand - watch video
• 1st December Special Jade Circle Level 1&2 together! with Anamarta
• 5th December Winter Gathering for remembrance, reconciliation and peace-making, candlelit meditation and feasting
• 11th & 12th December Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 2: Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang with Tanya and Matt. The next step on the Taoist path: motivation, increasing confidence; managing that special energy
• 8th & 9th January Tai Chi Winter Intensive with Chief Instructor Matt Lewis: learn the form and applications
• 22nd January Tao Yin Yoga with Matt: like Yoga? Love Tao Yin! Like Chi Kung? Love Tao Yin!
• 28th thru' 31st January Taoist Shamanic Healing with Kris Deva North
• 12th & 13th February Valentine Weekend for Couples with Kris and Anamarta (places left for just four couples)
  

Christmas Shopping? The Taoist Book Store has opened at Amazon.co.uk, with titles on Meditation, Martial Arts, the Art of the Bedchamber, a whole section on books for Taoist Women, Healing (including a Shiatsu Reading List with discounts for students with the NUS-extra card - see Student Union below), and individual categories for Taoist authors. Browse with a click here

27th & 28th November Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 1: Harmony of Yin and Yang. The first step, the first experience of Taoist Alchemy: transforming stress into vitality, awaken healing light, leading to:

11th & 12th December Step 2: Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang: Motivation, increased confidence; managing energy: a workshop in Taoist Alchemy for individuals and couples.
There are excellent savings to be made by signing up for both these courses together. More info on this, plus course content, with a click here.

'Taoist Medicine Wheel - Tao of the Shaman Part 1' available here in full colour illustrated pdf (you can see the Chapter-list.) Weekly serialisation on the Taoist Blog here. This week's Chapter (6) is I Ching, the Book of Change, contributed by Guillaume Bouteloup.

For the full Taoist Calendar click here

Watch the Iron Shirt Chi Kung video;

Sale of Books and special savings on Resource Packs for Steps 1 to 4, Tai Chi, Chi Nei Tsang, Jade Circle.

Join us for the Winter Gathering 5th December 5.30pm for remembrance, reconciliation and peace-making: bring food to share, a song to sing and a heart of light. Candlelight Meditation and Feasting from 5.30 pm at 68 Great Eastern Street.

Find Universal Healing Tao on Facebook Tweet us on Twitter

November Newsletter Universal Healing Tao

Air cools as nights draw in and thoughts turn like leaves to warmer times past or future, hopes and memories of good turns done, friendships lost and found, of magic childhood moments getting into warm ironed pyjamas in front of the fire...
A Taoist autumn is to let go the melancholy of season's change, grow courage to face winter, and smell the sunshine on those rare bright days that skymark this time. One such lit up the half-marathon when we gave shiatsu to the Capital runners: it was a real thrill to hear their appreciation on the radio. The week before we were at the Mind Body Soul exhibiting the art of gentle healing, meeting new people and making new friends.
And now, hooray for Amazon publishing three e-books: Taoist Medicine Wheel, Finding Spirit in Zen Shiatsu and Taoist 4Play Shiatsu Secrets for Love, that people can download for really a very small sum to read on (the beach?) their Kindles, iPhones, iPads, Androids, Blackberries ... when I first went to school we wrote on slates; paperbacks had just been invented, credit cards not even a tinkle in a banker's eye, and keys were made for locking. Now we can go anywhere in the world and spend money by tapping numbers on keypads - scary!
Talking of years, our Winter Gathering on 5th December will be a celebration of Kris's 70th and an occasion for remembrance, reconciliation and peace-making. We would love to see you there.

We close the Year opening doors to new experiences in Shiatsu and the Tao. Come on by!

All the info on what you like - see you there!

Cool links to connect you with what's what, where and how:

• 3rd November Jade Circle Level 1 with Anamarta
• 8th November (- 20th December) 'Chi Kung for Health and Vitality' with Tanya in North Wales
  
• 11th November Zen School of Shiatsu Assessment-Training Day
  
• 19th November Jade Circle Level 2 with Anamarta
• 24th November Zen Shiatsu Free Open Evening with Kris and Marta: no need to book, come on by and learn about the Zen approach to Shiatsu
• 27th & 28th November Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 1: Harmony of Yin and Yang. The first step, the first experience of Taoist Alchemy: transforming stress into vitality, awaken healing light.
  
• 29th November to 2nd December Shiatsu Intensive Immersion with Kris and Marta, four days of the Art of Gentle Healing, leading to Certificate in Practical Shiatsu and your first steps on the Way of the Helping Hand - watch video

Click for Kris's ebooks on Amazon including the latest 'Taoist Medicine Wheel - Tao of the Shaman Part 1'
Also available here in full colour illustrated pdf (you can see the Chapter-list.)
Also serialised on the Taoist blog with, so far, Ch1 From History to Mystery, 2 Comparison with other Traditions, 3 Evolution of the Medicine Wheel, and coming next, Chapter 4 The Five Elements.
A paperback version 'Taoist Shaman, Practices from the Wheel of Life' co-authored with Mantak Chia, is due out soon published by Destiny Books.

27th & 28th November Foundations of Taoist Practice Step 1: Harmony of Yin and Yang. The first step, the first experience of Taoist Alchemy: transforming stress into vitality, awaken healing light, leading to:
11th & 12th December Step 2: Greater Harmony of Yin and Yang: Motivation, increased confidence; managing energy: a workshop in Taoist Alchemy for individuals and couples.
There are excellent savings to be made by signing up for both these courses together. More info on this, plus course content, with a click here.

For the full Taoist Calendar click here

Watch the new Iron Shirt Chi Kung video;

Sale of Books and special savings on Resource Packs for Steps 1 to 4, Tai Chi, Chi Nei Tsang, Jade Circle.

Congratulations to Mariela Taskova, the first Associate Instructor in Bulgaria of Grandmaster Mantak Chia's Universal Healing Tao System . Mariela did her first training at the London Tao Center with Kris Deva North. Well done Mariela!

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Taoist Medicine Wheel - Tao of the Shaman

On the publication of the Taoist Medicine Wheel Kris Deva North offers this overview of Taoist Shamanism

My interest in Taoist Shamanic practice began with that 1998 interview with Master Mantak Chia at the Tao Garden:

"A group of Aryans was shipwrecked on the China shore thousands of years ago. They did not die, nor have children, and became known as the Shining Ones. They taught shamanic practices, including the protective circle, calling the elements, ecstatic journeying and flight, power animals and tutelary deities or guides.
"With the rise of Buddhism shamans were persecuted, like witches in the west. They continued their practices in secret, without the use of drums, rattles, robes or other articles of the craft to identify themselves. The saying goes ‘you cannot tell a sage by his clothes.’ They were also known as magicians, wizards and sorcerers.
"Magic is like religion. It can be of great benefit, or cause great harm. In Taoist magic as in the Tao, there is no judgement - we are all responsible for ourselves. As long as you do not harm another being, you are free to do what you want."

My studies and research over the years since show that some of the old shamanic arts flourish today under the shield of Chinese Medicine, most practitioners unaware of the magical connections.

From its shamanic roots, Taoism rose to become the official religion of the Imperial Dynasties. It is the foundation of most Chinese art, of the Traditional Chinese Medicines we know today as acupuncture and herbalism, of Chinese Astrology and Divination, of Tai Chi Chuan "the Supreme Ultimate" combining meditation and martial art, and of the esoteric sexual practices taught to the Emperors by their female advisers to form the basis of Taoist Alchemy: the quest for immortality.

Outside of the Imperial Court Taoism evolved as the folk religion, the Old Ways common to many First Nations, a way of mystery and secrecy, with rites, rituals, and initiations. A notice stating ‘There is an altar in this house’ was a sign of a safe haven for the travelling Taoist during the Buddhist persecutions. The tradition has been maintained to this day to show the location of a Taoist household or temple.

Barefoot healers, pre-Taoist shamans, wearing red headbands, wandered naked and were subject to fits, a characteristic particularly of the Siberian but also known among shamans of other traditions.

The shaman, as ‘mediator with spirit’ is chosen by spirit and called by humans when healing practices such as herbs, massage, acupuncture or allopathy have failed. If the sickness prevails, Shaman finds out from Spirit what healing the soul needs for the body to be whole again. Everything is a gift and a blessing, for everything is Love, and gratitude and thanks must be given even for hurt and pain. Then harmony can be restored between soul and body.

Practitioners of shamanism can be susceptible to suffering afflictions of spirit in this earthly dimension. I personally know two people, one an acknowledged practitioner and the other a young boy recognised by his teachers as having shamanic power, who have an extremely difficult time living in the "normal" world themselves but through their spirit-connection are able to help others. This of course is where modern-day Taoist practitioners have the advantage of the Healing Tao system to protect themselves from depletion and contamination.

Families and priests, sources of the great Schools of Taoism with their ideological and geographical differences, practiced Shamanic Taoism as local cults. The simple philosophy, or Tao Chia, expounded by Lao Tsu in the Tao Te Ching c600 BCE had become Tao Chiao, religious dogma, by 2nd Century of the new millennium. The ‘Do-It-Yourself’ principles of Taoism were competing with Confucianism’s reassuringly strict codes of behaviour for all situations. After another thousand years the Complete Clarity school sought to return to the untrammelled simplicity of the original practice.

Interesting comparisons between Taoist and other shamanic practices:

Worship by Smoke: the Native American "peace-pipe" equates to the Taoist practice of burning incense, with the smoke rising as a prayer to Heaven. The Taoist has the additional feature of the ash falling as a prayer to Earth. The Taoist also uses the ash to establish other "altars" such as when the student leaves to start their own practice; they take a pinch of the accumulated ash from the mother-altar.

Purification by Sweat: here is a common thread running around the world among First Nations in the cool-to-temperate latitudes. Native Americans with their Sweatlodge, North Europeans with Sauna and the Taoist Hot Tub Immersion all share the sweat-detox practice, social as well as ritual in nature.

Symbolic Sacrifice: common to all traditions with varying relationships between symbolism and reality, from the killing of the Corn God at the end of the harvest in North America and Europe, to the ritual breaking of bones until death in the Siberian tradition, to the burying of slaves at the temple corner among the ancient Hawaiians, crucifixion and ascension for Christians etc etc. The suffix name -ti for the Emperor implies a meat sacrifice reflecting the killing of the old one when his son reached puberty. The shamanic blood-sacrifice traditions of ancient China were modified in religious Taoism: the scriptures were written on parchment, which is made from lambskin, a lamb being killed only once but thereafter each time the priest reads the scriptures he evokes the spirit of the sacrifice.

Ecstatic Flight: Whereas the early Taoist practice culminated in ecstasy, the shamanic practice began thus, using it to launch into the celestial or lower realms. Other traditions perceive the Taoist practice as more familiar with the Heavenly path than the lower worlds. True, Taoists begin with the celestial realm then use its light to illuminate the dark places below.

Bone Spirits: all traditions practise "changing the bones", the cellular crystalline structures capable of transmitting and receiving energy-waves: the first radios were crystal-sets. Mantak Chia teaches bone-changing through the Advanced Iron Shirt practice. In Hawaiians cooked off the flesh and preserved the thigh-bones (the location of the bones of the last king who died 100+ years ago is still kept secret.)

Initiation: common to all traditions and the Taoist are as testing as most. Overcoming obstacles the Initiate gains knowledge of her or himself and learns secrets of the craft. Through Initiation the Shaman learns the power of Spirit, using it to understand the illusion of fear and physical limitations of discomfort and fatigue. After the Ordeal of Initiation the Shaman is reborn to take his place in the Community and returns to the Outer World

The Shaman is the Healer in the community and, particularly in the Taoist tradition, is known only to the community, unknown in the Outer World. This secrecy stems from the days of persecution. As Healing Warrior, the Shaman mediates with, or combats, Spirit, by taking into her or himself the energies, to heal and to seal.

For more information and a Chapter List of the book go to: Taoist Medicine Wheel - Tao of the Shaman 1
I plan to serialise extracts from each Chapter over the coming weeks, so watch this space! Meanwhile, you can buy the pdf from Universal Healing Tao UK and an e-version for your Kindle or iPad from Amazon.