If it is your first time then please call to confirm that the class will be running. Classes will not run on public holidays.A unique blend of Qigong forms, Chinese medical knowledge and philosophy, stretching, and self-reflection, taught by Qigong Master and manual therapy practitioner Kerry Castell-Spence, of Chinese Medical and Manual Therapy.
The aim of this class is to become more aware, conscious and connected to your body, mind and spirit. It allows you to feel parts of your body that need more attention, gives you gentle techniques to help you relieve tension and stress, and helps you to gain greater clarity of how your tensions arise in the first place.
It includes self massage, Somatic Restoration (dynamic stretching), movement qigong and quiet healing qigong.
Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays each week. The cost is $20 per casual class, $180 for a ten class card, or $90 for five classes, paid in advance.
The class is taught at the School of Acupuncture and TCM, 382 Manukau Road, Epsom.
Enter off Manukau Rd and come up the stairs at the entrance closest to Greenlane/Balmoral Rd to the first floor (across the rd from the Lido Cinema). Classes will be in the first room on the right down the hallway (Room 4) on both nights.
Please call Kerry on 021794333 first to confirm you are coming and talk about the class and your particular needs further.
The class follows a simple and consistent format:
PART ONE - Self-massage and self-treatment: The first part of the class includes Myofascial release techniques followed by Somatic Restoration; a whole body/joint dynamic stretching. Most of us know some form of stretching. Unfortunately we usually only target a few major muscles and physical structures of the body. The tissues surrounding and between muscles, organs, joints and other body parts are usually left out of these stretching techniques.
Even though we may stretch all the time, our flexibility and tension may not change. This is because the connective tissue - fascia - that holds those muscles and other body parts in shape is still stuck and tense, and does not allow change to occur. Myofascial release and Somatic Restoration help to open all the connective tissue and joints of the body to allow the energy and awareness to flow through the body and allow the structures the fascia surrounds to be released and relax. This works more the physical level or, in Chinese philosophy, Jing.
PART TWO - Movement Qigong: The second part of the class involves the movement form Tong Tian Di Qigong (From the Sky through to the Earth). Chinese medicine and philosophy use the idea of meridians, or energy channels, which are like lines of connection running throughout the body, to diagnose and treat disease and ailments of the body.
It also focusses on three major energy centres of the body, called the three Dantian. These are similar to the idea of the Chakra, found in other body-mind practices. Tong Tian Di Qigong helps us to bring awareness and intention into the body and clear out the energy channels and fill up the Dantian, meaning we have less blockages and more energy where we need it. This works the energy level or Qi (Chi).
PART THREE - Quiet Qigong: This practice is an opportunity to explore your own energetic space and healing needs through a simple quiet practice called Tian Quan Qigong (Sky/Heaven Spring Qigong). This style of Qigong has no particular form but allows your body to unwind through relaxed spontaneous movement. This works the Shen level or consciousness.
About Kerry Castell-Spence.
Kerry trained at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, where he was on the teaching staff (10 years teaching in different roles), and with master Osteopaths over the last 10 years of working and training, including training in the Barral Method of Visceral Manipulation and Neural Manipulation. He Graduated with a Bachelor of Acupuncture and Diplomas in Qigong and Tuina (Chinese Osteopathy).
He has trained with Master Qigong practitioner Dr Sunny Lu for over 13 years. Kerry currently teaches Qigong, meditation and movement practices at the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts. Kerry has a background in Martial arts (Muay Thai, Aikido and Taiji) and has been training for over 20 years. He has also trained in Qigong and meditation for 14 Years. He is an ACC treatment provider and a Registered Acupuncturist with the New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists.
Kerry also does private Qigong classes for individuals, small groups and businesses. Kerry's clinical practice includes the use of medical Qigong to help to treat his clients alongside the use of hands on practices including osteopathic and acupuncture techniques.
If you are interested in Kerry's clinical practice, or to inquire about Qigong for your business, community, or for you as an individual, see his website unwindme.com.
You can also go to https://tianquanqigongnz.com/ to find out about classes in Sunnynook on Sundays.
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New Zealand School of Acupuncture and TCM 32 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
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