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Exhale… Autumn Qigong for Health, Energy and Vitality

Live Online Course

With Mimi Kuo-Deemer

September 17th, 2023 - October 8th, 2023

Discover how to use the energetic and nature-based practices of Qigong to help you better align with the shorter, cooler days of autumn.

An expanding INHALE can be like the lengthening of summer days; likewise, a soft, releasing EXHALE can be a metaphor for the stunning process of surrender that occurs in the autumn months. Nature easily transitions through the seasons, but often we humans unnecessarily hold on to the way things are and often resist change.

Through movements and meditative awareness, we can embrace slowing down, just as the earth slows down and prepares to rest. We can also learn that just as in nature, relinquishing helps us to release what we no longer need and open to new possibilities. This perspective invites us to attune to the natural energies at work within nature, which are also at work within ourselves.

This opening to the flow of nature – and its expression within us – is the invitation offered by meditation, qigong, and internal martial arts teacher Mimi Kuo-Deemer in this 4-week immersive course.

Using qigong breathing and intention-led movement practices, we will learn how to support our health, energy and vitality as we transition into autumn (in the Northern Hemisphere), which corresponds to the Metal phase in qigong and Chinese medicine. All levels are welcome, and options for seated practice will be included.

Click here to jump straight to the dates and times for the live sessions.

This interactive course will help you to open your mind and body to change, teaching you:

  • How qigong practice can nourish and support our relationship to nature and the seasons
  • How to align yourself with nature’s energies and elements around and within you through qigong philosophy, which can help you to stay balanced amidst life changes
  • An appreciation of the role our lungs and large intestines play in spirit and health
  • A short home qigong sequence that can be an especially useful complement to a daily sitting practice

Module 1: Breathe

Countless books have been written on the science and importance of breathing correctly. In this first session, we will learn about our lungs, and draw inspiration from the source of our breath’s nourishment: the trees.

Qigong breathing and visualisation practices will follow with gentle energy practices to support and nourish our lungs.

Participants are invited to practice these breathing techniques throughout the week, as well as 10-15 minutes of qigong forms as a daily routine.

Module 2: Cultivating Healthy Defences

Autumn is a time when many respiratory illnesses rage through the world. This session will focus on qigong routines that support our lungs, which are our first line of immunity and defence.

Practices that aid our ability to discharge toxicity and harmful energies will be shared, and discussion will include ways to bring vitality and balance into our physical, energetic and mental bodies through the Autumn months.

Participants are encouraged to continue a daily 10-15 minute qigong routine through the week as offered in this session.

Module 3: Connecting to Inner Dignity

When our Metal energy is balanced, we naturally honour a confidence that helps us touch into and express our self-esteem authentically and compassionately.

Certain qigong practices such as tiger forms can help foster by inviting us to embody and connect to our in-born strength, dignity, and courage.

An invitation to practice daily tiger forms will be encouraged, as will reflections on qualities of one’s relationship to dignity and confidence.

Module 4: Grief and Letting Go

Grief is the emotion associated with autumn and Metal energies in qigong and Chinese medicine. In this final session, we will honour this natural yet challenging emotion, exploring it through the qualities of Metal’s dignity and courage.

We will also learn a final set of qigong static postures that support an appreciation for what is most important in life and our capacity to graciously honour what has passed.

Suggestions for continued, daily qigong practice will be offered, as will contemplations on how to embrace Metal energy’s invitation for inspiration and letting go.

Praise for Mimi's Teachings

“I cherish and truly look forward to each class. I am drawn to your integrity, vast knowledge and experience, your respect to authenticity, traditions and your students. For me, your classes just stand out among others!”

“In the short time I’ve been your student I have come to understand things that I had only felt or had an inkling of. I have never felt better physically or better equipped to calmly and steadily handle life…your manner is clear, calming and fun. It is also deeply knowledgeable. I feel that I have a lifetime of nuance and deepening.”

“Your classes are keeping me together when everything goes apart. I’m much more calm and more energetic. It’s given me strength to go further, even if it’s a bad day ahead. It’s hard to describe exactly what it’s doing, it’s just beyond words. But it leaves a visible print in my actions and my life.”

“I can’t express enough gratitude, Mimi. In your class, I’ve rediscovered a spiritual centre, a springboard out of hopelessness.”

Live Online Course Details

Live Interactive Qigong Sessions

Through weekly Sunday sessions with Mimi, we'll come together to learn about this ancient Chinese art and how to develop a nourishing, inspired home movement practice – a wonderful complement to sitting meditation. Video recordings will be permanently available for you to come back to as many times as you like in the future.

Daily Qigong Practices

Each week, Mimi will offer a recommended qigong practice to continue developing the techniques learned that week, to be practiced for 15-20 minutes daily over our month together.

Woman Practicing Meditation

Live Interactive Q&A's

During our live sessions, we'll also have the opportunity to ask Mimi questions about the week's teachings and exercises, and receive her direct and insightful feedback. Our first session will include interactive breakout rooms!

Total Accessibility

All ages and experience levels are welcome, including beginners and first-timers. Options will be given for those who wish to do the practices seated. For those with injuries, suggestions will also be offered on how to best work safely and mindfully.

Schedule

Photo - Alarm Clock - Schedule

Dates & Times

LIVE Interactive #1: Sunday, Sept 17 @ 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST (90 minutes)

LIVE Interactive #2: Sunday, Sept 24 @ 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST (90 minutes)

LIVE Interactive #3: Sunday, Oct 1 @ 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST (90 minutes)

LIVE Interactive #4: Sunday, Oct 8 @ 9am PT / 12pm ET / 5pm BST / 6pm CEST (90 minutes)

Replays will be posted in the days afterwards, for those who cannot attend live.

About Mimi Kuo-Deemer

Mimi is an author and teacher of meditation, qigong, and internal martial arts (6th generation Baguazhang). She champions a balance of playfulness and precision, and never underestimates the value of wise, goofy people. A long-time dharma student of Sangha Live’s founding teacher, Martin Aylward, she also co-leads retreats with him at the Moulin de Chaves. 

Born in upstate New York, Mimi has lived most of her adult life overseas, in Beijing, London, and now Oxfordshire, where she lives with her husband and their dog, three cats, 8 chickens and 60,000 bees. She enjoys writing (her two books include Qigong and the Tai Chi Axis, and Xiu Yang, both published by Orion Spring) and creating online qigong practice videos and DVDs (available on onecommune.com, yogaandfitness.tv, movementformodernlife.com, Vimeo, and YouTube).

Her teachings draw inspiration from nature, the Dao, and the wisdom of Buddha Dharma. She particularly enjoys discovering and sharing ways we can nourish and support our vitality for our own welfare, and the welfare of all life.