Apricot Grove In-Person Qigong Courses

Fall Courses

Dancing with the Rivers:
Opening the Acupuncture Channels

  • Anyone with a body and an interest in embodied practice!

  • The rivers of the body, better known as acupuncture channels or meridians, are a living, breathing aspect of every person's body and can be felt directly. In this course, we will explore a simple but profound practice that teaches us to feel into these embodied rivers, gently get to know them, and gradually unwind and clear any regions of impairment.

    Initially, we will learn the structure and postures of the Willow Dance. This sequence of postures teaches us to feel into all twelve of the regular rivers. While touching in with them, we begin to make friends with the varieties of openness, sluggishness, stagnation and other subtle sensations that arise. Once we're comfortable with how these rivers feel, we'll begin to allow for a subtler awareness by exploring a simple, step-by-step approach to progressive relaxation. This approach can then be used in any region of tension or guarding in our body, and allows for open and relaxed states to permeate our whole being. Once we are comfortable with settling into the body, we will explore the nature of the Nine Qi Wounds and their different embodied sensations. Finally, we will consolidate the practices into a personalized daily practice that ensures the rivers remain flowing and flourishing for as long as we desire.

    The practices and teachings will take place over 4 separate 90 minute classes on Saturday mornings. There will be a combination of warm-up, teaching, and then integrated practice followed by time for questions at the end.

  • 4 Classes

    September 6, 13, 20, 27

    10am-11:30am

  • 350CAD

Clarifying the Breath:
Breathing Practices to Balance the Body and Settle the Mind

  • Practitioner's wanting more tools for their patients, and anyone who has an interest in using the breath to settle and clear the mind.

  • Breath is central to life. According to the Huangdi Neijing, it is responsible for the rhythm and movement of vitality and circulation for the entire body. Because of this central role, in Neijing Nature-Based Medicine (NNBM) we always begin by examining and restoring it. Thankfully, we don't need to use needles or take expensive herbs to access the powerful restorative and balancing effects that a healthy breath can bring. In the autumn, we are advised to clarify the breath, settle our minds, and move towards stillness. In this spirit, we will explore simple and effective breathing practices to restore the body and settle the mind in preparation for the stillness of winter.

    We begin with the practice of restoring the natural rhythm and movement of the breath which can act to very effectively shift us into a slower and more present state. We settle from the hustle and bustle of daily life into the deep, slow, and restorative state of waking rest. From there, we will gradually move into more intricate practices that can be used to restore and invigorate the body, bringing a profound sense of presence and calm alertness that often continues outside the practice.

    The techniques covered will include classical practices that trace back thousands of years, combining and supporting them with modern takes on their technique and the scientific backing for why they work.

    This course is excellent for people who want help slowing down and bringing a stable sense of tranquility into their daily life and for practitioners who want more tools to give their patients.

    The practices and teachings will take place over 4 separate 90 minute classes on Saturday mornings. There will be a combination of warm-up, teaching, and then integrated practice followed by time for questions at the end.

    Initially, we will learn the structure and postures of the Willow Dance. This sequence of postures teaches us to feel into all twelve of the regular rivers. While touching in with them, we begin to make friends with the varieties of openness, sluggishness, stagnation and other subtle sensations that arise. Once we're comfortable with how these rivers feel, we'll begin to allow for a subtler awareness by exploring a simple, step-by-step approach to progressive relaxation. This approach can then be used in any region of tension or guarding in our body, and allows for open and relaxed states to permeate our whole being. Once we are comfortable with settling into the body, we will explore the nature of the Nine Qi Wounds and their different embodied sensations. Finally, we will consolidate the practices into a personalized daily practice that ensures the rivers remain flowing and flourishing for as long as we desire.

    The practices and teachings will take place over 4 separate 90 minute classes on Saturday mornings. There will be a combination of warm-up, teaching, and then integrated practice followed by time for questions at the end.

  • 4 Classes

    October 4, 11, 18, 25

    10am-11:30am

  • 350CAD

Settling Into Stillness:
An Introduction to Daoist Heavy Hands

  • Anyone with a body and an interest in embodied practice!

  • Winter is a time where the world slows down and we naturally slow along with it. For generations, it has been a time for personal practices to shift into stillness and waiting; traditionally this involves standing Qigong (Zhangzhuang). The Heavy Hands practice is an excellent doorway into the practices of standing and the main entry for most other Qigong practices taught at Apricot Grove Canada. While originally developed as part of the Shaolin Iron Palm system by Gu Ruzhang, this system has been adapted over time making it a strong pillar for health and longevity. Its twelve static postures cover a profound combination of useful structures for every day life (and martial arts) and restore the entire body when practised correctly.

    Throughout this course, students will be introduced to the twelve postures of the Heavy Hands practice and the core principles of standing Qigong. Once they are comfortable with the foundations, they will be guided through several "passes" or layers of increasing depth that will prepare them for the 100 day initiation at the end of the course and give them years of material to practice.

    The Heavy Hands practice is one of DJ's most precious practices, it was his first in depth practice and was the first system he was given permission to teach. With over 10 years of experience in the system, he is thrilled to be able to transmit the practice and share the benefits with others.

    Initially, we will learn the structure and postures of the Willow Dance. This sequence of postures teaches us to feel into all twelve of the regular rivers. While touching in with them, we begin to make friends with the varieties of openness, sluggishness, stagnation and other subtle sensations that arise. Once we're comfortable with how these rivers feel, we'll begin to allow for a subtler awareness by exploring a simple, step-by-step approach to progressive relaxation. This approach can then be used in any region of tension or guarding in our body, and allows for open and relaxed states to permeate our whole being. Once we are comfortable with settling into the body, we will explore the nature of the Nine Qi Wounds and their different embodied sensations. Finally, we will consolidate the practices into a personalized daily practice that ensures the rivers remain flowing and flourishing for as long as we desire.

    The practices and teachings will take place over 4 separate 90 minute classes on Saturday mornings. There will be a combination of warm-up, teaching, and then integrated practice followed by time for questions at the end.

  • 4 Classes

    November 8, 15, 22, 29

    December 6, 13

    10am-11:30am

  • 450CAD