THE GOLDEN THREAD

T’AI CHI, QIGONG & THE ELEMENTAL JOURNEY

with CAROLINE MERRY, VAL ANDROUTSOPOULOU

& ELISABETH RATZENBOCK WEARDEN

Carefully seek the heart of heaven and earth with firm determination. Suddenly you will see

the original thing; everywhere you meet the source, all is a forest of jewels.      Liu I-Ming

The movements of the Yang Style Long Form embody the allegorical journey, discovered by Gerda Geddes. We will explore both movement and meaning in both the Long and Short forms, enhanced by QiGong energy work, that links us to the elements and seasons in the Taoist understanding of the universe.

The symbolic and cyclic journey inherent in the Long Form begins with birth and ends with letting go and transformation into a new phase – a cycle which is repeated many times in our lives. The sequential journey takes us on a path of discovery. Each of the 13 sequences introduces us to movements that embody the qualities in this stage of our life journey, but leaves us free to interpret them in our own way.

The images and names inherent in each of the three parts of the Long Form are vivid and expressive. They are drawn from Chinese poetry and myth as well as the martial arts. We will explore these concepts, using movement, guided imagery, meditation, writing and painting; weaving our deeper understanding into ‘playing’ the T’ai Chi forms.

Caroline Merry has been teaching T’ai Chi Ch’uan for over 30 years. She studied initially with Gerda Geddes, and then many other teachers. As well as working with image and imagination, a love of movement and dance inspires her T’ai Chi. She is an integrative therapist and lives in Oxford UK.

Val Androutsopolou has lived in Corfu since 1977 where she runs Casa Lucia, well known for its individual character and intimate setting. She combines her love and knowledge of Corfu with warm hospitality, and a wonderful ability to create a colourful and stimulating environment. Val teaches T’ai Chi in Corfu. Caroline and Val are both members of the European School of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.

Elisabeth Ratzenbock Wearden teaches T’ai Chi and QiGong in Austria, Germany and Scotland. She is the founder of and principal of the School of Centering Touch, and is a practitioner of Zero Balancing, Colour Healing, Reconnective Healing, and other types of energy healing.

On Saturday July 9^th ,  6pm to 8pm  Caroline Merry and Elisabeth Ratzenboch-Wearden will give an introductory  session free of charge

Friday July 8^th:   6.30 -7.30 pm  Opening Circle

Saturday July 9^th: morning 9- 11am; evening free session 6-8pm

Sunday July 10^th, Monday July 11^th, Tuesday July 12^th: mornings  9-11am; evenings 6-8pm

Wednesday July 13^th: morning only 9-11 am

Thursday July 14^th: morning 9-11am;  closing circle evening 6-8

For more information contact Casa Lucia.