Qigong 3: The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong

with Michael Busby

October 21st—October 22nd

Date details +

Price:

$225 Program Price

$270 Patron Price

$115 Limited Income Price

$175 Repeater Price

Pay what you can afford: write in the amount.

Room: Meditation Hall

In-Person only Weekend workshop Presented by Berkeley Shambhala

Chinese Medicine and Qigong enjoy a long history of relationship, mutually influencing each other in their approach to health and longevity. The Gourd is the symbol of Chinese medicine, and the cauldron is the symbol of the Taoist arts of health and longevity.

Prerequisites: Qigong 1 and 2

Your introduction to the Gourd and the Cauldron begins with Hua Tu Five Animals Qigong, one of the most well-known systems of health practices. Hua Tu was the founder of Chinese medicine, and his animal qigong forms are designed to enhance both physical and energetic health. In this qigong, the tiger trains tendon strength, the bear trains bone strength, the deer focuses on preserving generative energy, the monkey trains agility, and the bird sends energy from the base of the spine to the head.

As you continue to explore the Gourd and the Cauldron, you will enter the world of Immortals’ Guide to Self Massage and Breath Regulation and the Red Phoenix Calisthenics. Here, you will learn how to use techniques of breath regulation to work on specific health needs such as improving knee and hip mobility, introducing flexibility into tendons and ligaments, aligning the spine, stimulating bone marrow growth, and strengthening qi stored in the internal organs.

The highlight of Qigong 3 is an evening practice that is designed to strengthen bones and increase bone marrow density. Minimizing the risk of bone fracture and breakage is an important part of preventative medicine.

Our exploration of the world of the Gourd and the Cauldron ends with learning how to let qi that is circulated soak deep inside the body. After we have moved qi through the body, we rest in the relaxed stillness of four more standing qigong postures, allowing what we have practiced to have long lasting benefits.

Our Instructor

photo of Michael Busby Michael Busby is authorized to teach qigong by Dr. Eva Wong—19th-generation lineage carrier of Xiantianwujimen Taoism (Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School of Taoism) and 3rd-generation student of Wang Xiangzhai, founder of Yiquan. Michael has been practicing and studying qigong with Dr. Wong since 2009. In addition to qigong, they are experienced in meditation, philosophy, and martial arts. Michael is the Tea Peddler of Via Tiempo, a tea company focused on seasonal harmony. They currently reside in the redwoods of Sonoma County with their partner Trinley.

Qigong 3: The Gourd and Cauldron: Chinese Medicine and Qigong

Prerequisites: Qigong 1 and 2

Saturday, October 21st (8:30 am to 8:30 pm) and Sunday, October 22nd (9:00 am to 6:00 pm)
In-person at the Berkeley Shambhala Center. Please be vaccinated and boosted; masks optional.

Please arrive at 8:30 am to register. The program will begin at 9:00 am. Saturday will include breaks for lunch, tea, and dinner. Sunday: breaks for lunch and tea.

If you have questions, please contact shambhalaberkeley [at] gmail [dot] com

$225 Program price
$270 Patron price (paying the Patron price helps support those needing to pay the Limited Income price)
$115 Limited Income price
$175 Repeater price
Pay what you can afford: write in dollar amount in space.

Program Policy

In-Person Attendance Please be vaccinated and boosted for the safety of yourselves and others. The meditation hall is large, well-ventilated and served by two very high quality air filters. Seating will be well-spaced. Masks are optional and available.

Registration Please register and pay online in advance of programs that require registration in order to make certain you receive all communications including the link for the program. Our online payment system is set up to accept payment through PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to pay via your credit or debit card for a program.

Generosity Policy The Berkeley Shambhala Center is funded solely by your membership and program donations. Thank you for your generosity as you consider what you can pay for each program at our Center. We strive to price our programs in a way that accurately reflects the financial need of our Center and the cost to us of producing the program. We are committed to offering our programs to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Most programs include a base program price as well as a sliding scale. If you need to reach a member of the Shambhala Center Staff, email shambhalaberkeley [at] gmail [dot] org with your inquiry.

What is the Patron Price? The other aspect of our Generosity Policy is our Patron Price. Those who are able to offer more than the regular program price can select the Patron Price option. By selecting this option, your generosity is helping to cover the costs of those who may not be able to pay the full price of the program. Thank you for your consideration, and for helping all to receive the treasure of the Shambhala Dharma. We appreciate you registering and paying online. This helps us not only to plan for the program, but speeds up the registration line on the day of the program.

Work Study We depend on volunteers to make all of our programs happen. If you are interested in offering your support in this way, please contact shambhalaberkeley [at] gmail [dot] org. We would be very grateful. Please note that we have limited work-study options for online programs.

Refund Policy If you are unable to attend a program for which you have pre-registered and paid, and contact us to cancel participation at least one week (seven calendar days) prior to the start of the program, you are entitled to either receive a refund less the cost of processing the payment, or you can apply the full payment amount to the cost of an upcoming program of your choice. If you cancel your participation within the week prior to the program, you can apply those funds to another upcoming program of your choice. No refunds will be given for cancellations after a program has begun.

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