More information about Freedom of Being

Alongside studying Qigong with Zhixing since 1990, for the last 18 years I have also been working with a teacher of embodied awakening. I am now feeling inspired to include more of this work alongside Qigong in some of my teachings, within an approach I am calling ‘Freedom of Being’. I am also continuing to offer Qigong only classes.

This approach brings together the practices of Enquiry, Qigong and Meditation to support us in an ongoing exploration into embodied consciousness, embracing, both our timeless nature and this ever changing experience of being human.

By bringing an interest in meeting each moment just as it is, we explore our capacity to live more fully this precious life; opening to the possibility of tasting the freedom of being through embracing life as it unfolds from one moment to the next, in all of its ups and down – the glorious, the messy, the awkward and the delightful. This is a very personal and individual enquiry for each of us.

The work is both effortless and rigorous; deeply relaxing and yet not casual; all encompassing and very specific; playful and deep; mysterious and yet blindingly obvious; intangible and yet right in front of our nose. Paradoxically these realisations are so close and always available to us and yet there’s nothing to hold on to and nowhere to get to.

The Practices
Together we cultivate a quality of Presence, an embodied, heartful awareness that is curious, responsive, insightful and engaged with the immediacy of each moment. Within this field of Presence the specific practice of the Hua Gong Qigong is offered to help free up our energy and attention.

Through the physical/vigorous Qigong we cultivate the soft power within the fluid of the cells, known as Jing. Opening to our sense of grounding, waking up the connection to feet, loosening/freeing up our physical body the ‘old information’ is released. From this sense of being more loosened up, energised and embodied we can begin to develop the ability to connect directly to the subtle Qi energy, both in and around us, this is where we bring together the power of mind and body and learn how to open and let go into energy.

Through the more meditative approaches, we explore the subtle energy of Qi through digestive Qigong, sitting meditation and standing forms. The Meditation practice also helps us collect and open to the more bright and luminous quality of energy, known as Shen, which can be a very liberating experience connecting us to the ‘cosmic’ universal Qi.

The practice of Enquiry in pairs explores various themes arising from our practice within an environment of Presence, stillness, and curiosity, helping us to integrate the depths of our being with the ordinariness of everyday life.