SEASONS OF THE BREATH:
ZOOM ONLINE HEALING CLASS SERIES
These ZOOM qigong classes are offered for those who do not live nearby Saki but wish to learn healing and transformational practices that enable you to take charge of your own physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Besides movement, breathwork and meditation, each class includes some theoretical background on the element dominant in the season, drawing upon the timeless wisdom and resources of Traditional Oriental medicine. Please go to the blog sections for more information on each of the elements and seasons covered in these classes.
There is a sliding scale for these class series, according to your income. However, no sincere seeker is ever turned away. Please write if you need special arrangements. Included in the class tuition are access to the class recordings for your individual practice. Once registered you will receive the ZOOM link to join.
Here are the upcoming series of classes planned:
SEASONS OF THE BREATH:
SPRING TO NEW LIFE!
The Wood Element
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the season of spring is connected with the Wood element. Like the rising of sap in the trees, the Wood energy rises upward in all of nature as the life force pushes up from the cold winter earth, and new life is awakened and flower buds begin to push through. The Wood element is powerful, forceful and determined as the wind, and yet also flexible and resilient as tall bamboo swaying softly in the breeze. So, springtime is a dynamic time of movement, activity and change – throughout nature as well as in our lives.
To be in harmony with nature’s energy and rhythm during spring, we need to be careful of excessive tension and pressure build up in the body-mind which produce hyperactivity, heat, blocked energy and emotional volatility. Overwork and over-activity need to be balanced with relaxation and down time in order to protect yourself from chronic stress, fatigue and burn out, and to restore mental and emotional clarity and harmony. It’s important to go for regular walks in the greening power of nature and take in the vital life energy. Exercises that are supportive to body-mind wellbeing include gentle stretching, loosening up and softening the muscles, discharging accumulated tension and slow movements to keep your energy circulating smoothly and harmoniously. It’s also an optimal time to still spend some “soul time” in silence and solitude, to allow in some new inspirations and creative ideas that you’d like to plant in the coming months ahead.
During our Spring Seasons of the Breath Healing Classes, we shall cultivate skills that nourish and tonify the body’s over-all vitality, relax and calm the restless mind, ease tension and stress, transform irritability and anger into positive emotions, and help us connect with the divine Source of healing.
Our classes will include transformational movement and breathwork (qigong), meditation, TCM theoretical background, and self-healing practices. Classes are recorded and participants have access to these recordings in between sessions as a support.
You may attend either or both Monday and Wednesday classes:
MONDAYS 10:00 – 11:15 CET: March 20 – May 22 (8x)
WEDNESDAYS 18:00 – 19:00 CET March 22 – March 17
Costs: € 110,- 150– or 175 for full series, according to income
Winter: Conserve and Nourish Your Inner Life!
The season of winter is connected with the water element and the energetic systems of the Kidneys and Bladder. Its power is deep and yin. And like nature in her resting period, this is an auspicious time of inwardness, reflection, quietude and rest. During these Winter classes, we shall cultivate skills that nourish and tonify the body’s over-all vitality, calm the restless mind, transform anxieties and fears into positive emotions, and help us connect with the divine Source of healing that is always within us. Please see blog for winter: https://www.quanyin.nl/2022/01/02/the-water-element-and-the-winter-season-time-to-nourish-the-inner-life/
DATES FOR 2023 WINTER/WATER ELEMENT CLASSES:
MONDAYS AT 10:00 CET/9:00 UK
JANUARY 16, 23, 30, FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20, 27
PLUS EXTRA PRACTICE SESSIONS WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AT 18:30
JANUARY 18, 25; FEBRUARY 8, 15, 22
To sign up or for any questions please go to and fill in contact form: https://www.quanyin.nl/contact/
Autumn: The Art of Letting Go
Autumn is associated with the Metal element. It is a good time for strengthening and balancing the lungs, large intestines and immune system, and for setting limits and protecting boundaries in our lives. The energy of this season, more than any other, supports our letting go of inessentials, what is toxic, outmoded, or stale in our lives. Clearing enables us to receive pure and new life energies. Autumn returns us to our essence, moves us to eliminate what we no longer need, and reminds us to prioritize what truly gives heart and meaning to our lives.
Please see blog on the metal element “The Art of Letting Go”
https://www.quanyin.nl/2021/10/25/autumn-the-art-of-letting-go/
DATES FOR 2022 AUTUMN/METAL ELEMENT CLASSES:
Mondays at 10:00 CET/9:00 UK:
October 17, 24, 31; November 7, 14, 21, 28; December 12
OR
Wednesday evenings, 18:30 – 19:45
October 19, 26, November 2, 9, 23, 30, December 7 and 14
Costs: €100,- €130,- €160,- sliding scale according to income
Late Summer: Gather, Harvest and Store
Late Summer is related to the Earth element. During this series of classes, we will be strengthening and balancing the Earth element and its association with how we digest food, impressions and experiences. Our focus will include grounding and firmly establishing our roots as we bring the outer warmth and yang energy of summer deeper inside us. It is also a good time to quietly reflect on the gifts we are harvesting.
Please see the blog on the Earth element “Gather, Harvest and Store”
https://www.quanyin.nl/2021/08/12/late-summer-and-earth-element
DATES FOR 2022 LATE SUMMER/EARTH ELEMENT CLASSES
Mondays at 10:00 CET/9:00 UK:
August 29, September 5, 12, 19 and 26
Plus
Wednesday evening practice sessions at 18:00 CET/5 p.m. UK:
August 31, September 7, 14, 21
Costs: €100,- €130,- €160,- Sliding scale according to income
SEASONS OF THE BREATH:
ZOOM ONLINE HEALING CLASS SERIES FOR SUMMER
TENDING YOUR INNER FIRE
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the season of summer is connected with the fire element. Fire’s power is radiant, hot, outgoing, ascending, dynamic and revitalizing. During this season, all of Nature reaches its peak of growth and maturation. As we are inseparable from the rhythm and cycles of Nature, we can also harness the power of our inner fire to attain to the fullness of our human potentials and maturation.
It is important to avoid getting over-heated by too much fire or excessive yang, which can lead to mental and emotional agitation, hyperactivity and nervous exhaustion. Summer is a time to chill out, to relax and enjoy our family and friendship circles, and to be restored by the magnificence of nature.
At the same time, we also need to make sure that our inner Fire is strong enough to keep our energies warm, vital and circulating harmoniously on all levels of our being. We can then radiate forth our joy, creativity, fulfilment and love under the warmth and beneficence of our inner Sun!
Self-healing practices that are supportive to a healthy and strong inner Fire include gentle stretching, flowing movements, dynamic discharging of excess heat and toxic emotions, and building up of inner power in body-mind-spirit.
During our Summer Seasons of the Breath Healing Classes, we shall specifically cultivate skills that nourish and strengthen the body’s overall vitality, calm the restless mind, enhance sleep, reduce anxieties, open to compassion, and connect with the divine Source of healing.
Our classes will include transformational movement and breath work (qigong), meditation, self-inquiry, and self-healing massage.
These skills are not limited to effectiveness during the summer season, but can be added to your repertoire of self-empowerment and healing tools to use whenever they are needed.
Dates of next series of 8 classes:
Monday mornings, 9:00 – 10:15 CET/8:00 – 9:15 a.m. UK
Saturday mornings, 9:00 – 10:15 CET/8:00 – 9:15 a.m. UK
Weekly, from May 30 through July 18
Costs: sliding scale according to income
€100,- €125,- €150,- for 8 classes To register write to Joshua: lightsong@gmail.com
After this series, we shall have a summer break until September when we begin the series for the Earth and Metal elements for Indian Summer and Autumn.