Dear Sue,

Grace and Generosity: That is Qigong

When we match the breath to the movement, grace naturally emerges. That is Qigong.

When we soften our bodies and stretch, a natural ease arises. That is Qigong.

When we ground ourselves and relax into the moment, confidence flows. That is Qigong.

Through the regular practice of Qigong we gradually shed the layers that conceal our innate good nature which is a bottomless well of the immeasurable qualities of generosity, kindness, compassion, joy and wisdom.

As a teacher of Qigong I marvel at the subtle, and not-so-subtle, shifts that occur in regular practitioners. One such, who has been a dedicated practitioner for many years, is Sharon Leighton. As well the Tuesday and Thursday sessions, she has attended all the weekend courses I have held over the years, and comes to the Qigong & Meditation Retreat Week held every year on Holy Isle. This offers a compete immersion into the wisdom and complexities of Qigong and meditation that the regular sessions can only touch on.

Sharon is also immensely kind. As are many others. The flow of generosity from many of you since my mobility started slipping south earlier this year is heart-warmingly touching. The legacy of many years spent as a professional dancer is the deterioration of one ankle: osteoarthritis. I have adopted the attitude of ‘What can I do?’ instead of dwelling on what I now cannot do and this has resulted in sharing the ancient Qigong form of Tao Yin, or the guiding and following of energy, over these past few weeks. Many of the Tao Yin postures can be practised seated or on the floor.

The power and focus of Tao Yin help to develop wonderfully strong core strength. The fore-runner to Pilates, who did study these ancient movement forms by a few thousand years. If you haven’t been to one of these sessions yet, do please pop into the Zoom room today at 6pm, Tuesday, and next week on Tuesday 8th November. 

PLEASE NOTE: There will be only one more Thursday 11am class this week on 3rd November. This then will be paused until the New Year.

While I am taking time to get this dodgy ankle into better shape, Sharon will be stepping in to guide you through the marvellous moves of Qigong from Tuesday 15th November at 6pm. This is her first plunge into teaching this ancient form of healing. I know she will be joy to experience. I hope you will support her and continue to get your weekly Qi fix whilst I get an ankle fix!

Warm wishes,

Sue

Weekly Qigong

Every Tuesday at 6pm 

Thursday 11am: one more on 3rd November, before starting again in The New Year

On Zoom

Suitable for all ages and abilities. 

The regular practice of Qigong has a powerful effect on balancing mind, body and spirit. Benefits include reducing levels of stress and cultivating a brighter and more balanced outlook on possibilities in life.

THE BENEFITS OF QIGONG PRACTICE INCLUDE

• Improved balance
• Strong back & supple joints
• Maintained bone density
• Easier breathing
• Better quality of sleep
• Stabilised blood pressure
• Calm, clear mind
• Core stability and strength
• Increased vitality & energy

Qigong’s gentle moving postures can be practised in in a standing, seated or prone position.

Sue will be pausing her teaching of both sessions after Tuesday 8th November. Sharon Leighton will be leading the sessions from Tuesday 15th November onwards. 

£7 per session.

Further details and ways to pay

Torfaen Qigong

Thursdays 2pm – 3.30pm

St Hilda’s Church Hall,

Kemys St, Griffithstown. Pontypool. NP4 5DJ

A friendly and welcoming face-to-face class. All welcome to join.

Further details

Thursday Fortnightly Mindfulness Practice

6pm - 7pm BST

• Fortnightly on Thursdays at 6pm - 7pm unless otherwise posted here.
• Thursday 3rd November
• Thursday 17th November

The Zoom recurring login link to access all the sessions is embedded in this Newsletter.

Our fortnightly Mindfulness Practice offers time together to refresh and deepen our peaceful practice, 6pm - 7pm BST. This hour together is for all to share a period of calm, replenishment and reflection. We will be rotating the lead in this session from Thursday 17th November.  Come along this Thursday, 3rd November, to find out more.  

These sessions are free, and donations (suggested £5) offered are sent to a local charity of our choice.

This year we have decided to support the Abergavenny Food Bank. Food poverty is prevalent everywhere and our donations will help alleviate some of this sometimes invisible suffering. Over the past two years we have donated over £1500 to this charity.

Qigong & Meditation Retreat Week

Holy Isle, Scotland

Wednesday 9 August to Wednesday 16 August 2023

During The Qigong & Meditation Retreat Week Sue will guide you through the healing yet gentle movements of Chinese Medical Qigong and take you into the stillness of peaceful mind and loving kindness meditations. Holy Isle will soon become a sanctuary for you and is where Sue spent a year in retreat – and it will become a refuge of peace, kindness and calm in your awareness when you return to every-day living.

Follow this link to secure your place and for further details.

‘Sue has a rare gift of helping people transform their lives very powerfully and with great grace and dignity.’