Join us in TEMENOS for a weekend integrating aspects of T’AI CH’I* - QIGONG – ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE – NATURAL CONSCIOUS WALKING – BODY SENSE
All are ARTS, SKILLS and LIFELONG PRACTICES—developing us psycho—physically—spiritually.
The Weekend is a PAUSE to let go of daily life & concerns—to find Balance & Poise – to ensure natural breathing and composure - to choose appropriate effort, expression and action – to the tips of your toes and the crown of your head.
FOCUS this year is on ‘Inspirational Mobility’: Tai Chi, QiGong, Alexander Technique. Our basic TAKE-HOME ‘PRACTICES’ are practical, gentle, self-care Life Skills: FINDING Suppleness, Balance, Strength & Self-care in slow, flowing, Tai Chi/QiGong; Poise, Attentiveness, Centredness, Groundedness and Mindful-ness in Body Sense Alexander Technique & The Art of Walking. Such lifelong Practices give us Steadiness, Resilience & Meaning in the face of insecurity, change and the stresses of life. Physical benefits, yes, but also qualities essential in living a personal life of vitality, essence and meaning.
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Throughout the weekend, we will engage in all activities (& non-activities!): quietly, precisely, effortlessly and meaningfully – allowing all aspects of the BodySelf to be infused with Freedom and Vitality,
Kindness, Patience, Understanding and Learning.
‘and do not call it ‘exercise’ or ‘hard discipline’ !!
As in Nature, our movement Practices are flowing, graceful, powerful—
linking us to Nature’s ways, elements and rhythms.
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Overall benefits aim at development and integration of qualities towards
RESTFULNESS - EASE – BALANCE – HARMONY – AWARENESS/MINDFULNESS – MEANINGFULNESS,
as well as relief from stress, pain, discomfort, diminishments. Letting go of strain and tension, force & effort, thus allowing the body’s natural EASE to operate.
EMBODYING: Learning, though these practices, to integrate & Embody ‘Truth, Goodness, Beauty’- in personal action (body— mind—emotions— soul—spirit), and in relation to all Other— family, community, our environment, Gaia, our Earth, Universe & Creation Divinity...
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PROGRAMME
Early morning: walks, Meditation, Inspirational Mobility (Tai Chi, QiGong, Body Sense…)
Mornings & Afternoons: Group sessions: take-home ‘Practices’ from Tai Chi, QiGong, Art of Walking… Individual guidance through gentle ‘hands-on’ Alexander & Constructive Restfulness Practice. Own--time Evenings: quiet richness of music, poetry, story, whatever the evening calls …
Meditations: in The Well, The Little Way, Temenos Garden
Cost: R4 450 : all-inclusive: single accommodation, all meals, facilities. Stay over Sunday night at no extra cost.-
BOOKINGS,ENQUIRIES, INFO: CONTACT: Marguerite 028 271 4555; email margsmerwe@telkomsa.net www.bodysensetechnique.co.za OR TEMENOS 023 625 1871, email: temenos@lando.co.za , www.temenos.org.za
Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum OR Quite Enough Done)
TEACHER Marguerite van der Merwe has been exploring, studying, teaching, and is passionate about, these body-mind Arts for 30+ years. She also sets great value in immersion in ‘Eco-environmental Intelligence’ & love of The Land/Landscape’; is enriched through Poetry - Hafiz, Rumi, Mary Oliver and other seminal thinkers & artists of life. She brings to her teaching a practical, open, holistic approach, a respect for the individual’s ability to build health and performance in a natural, effective way. Awarded University of the Free State’s CHANCELLOR’S MEDALLLION (2016) “for exceptional service to South Africa and the world beyond our borders.”
BOOKS: ‘THE ART OF WALKING—Path to Health & the Richness of Well-Being’; ’EVE-OLUTION—Enhancing Feminine Consciousness & Body Awareness’.
‘PRAISE-POEM’ BOOKLETS: ‘In PRAISE of T’AI CH’I CH’UAN’ (2021); ‘PRAISE-POEM for the LAND’; ‘THE ART OF WALKING’; ‘POISE-PRESENCE-POWER’; ‘READINESS IS ALL’
*hereafter: TAI CHI