How we teach
We teach from experience
We discovered the benefits of these techniques many years ago when we were looking for something to help with stress and anxiety. Andrew has lived with anxiety for many years and had struggled to find anything that helped. We both found these techniques really helpful, even wonderful in the way they open up a different way of feeling, and so we studied and explored further. When we took early retirement a few years ago the call to teach these techniques to others was quite strong. Alison is a career-long professional teacher and this path seemed an obvious one to take.
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We therefore teach from our own experience. Everything we teach we also practice and study for our own wellbeing. For us this aspect of teaching what we practice is one of the key principles behind what we do.
A commitment to share and help
As well as teaching from our own experience we have a passion and commitment to share what we have learned to help people address the challenges they face or to simply enjoy themselves more. We know many people who have struggled with stress, anxiety and depression. It is important to us to make these practices available to all who need them.
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We provide a number of different ways of learning:
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Public sessions for qigong
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Mindfulness courses - standard or customised
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One-off talks and introductions
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One-to-one teaching, tailored to your needs
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Opportunities for continued practice.
A part of overall wellbeing
Meditation, mindfulness and qigong can be seen as a part of our overall wellbeing alongside other aspects of a healthy life such as exercise, what we eat and how we keep our life in balance.
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The methods we teach come from east asian traditions where everything is seen to be connected. In these traditions our wellbeing is also viewed and addressed holistically (seeing us as a whole person, not a collection of parts). In the western tradition, which admittedly is starting to change, different aspects of ourselves, such as the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual have often been seen as separate and treated in isolation.
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We live and teach from the assumption that all aspects of ourselves are connected and influence each other. This connectivity extends beyond just within us, to other people and our environment.
Professionalism
As teachers we are concerned to see that we teach these methods properly, safely, professionally and that students are well supported in their practice.
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Our support does not stop at the end of the course. We offer weekly drop-in sessions for those who want to continue to practise with others. We can also guide people who want to develop their practice further.
Qualifications
Our qualifications to teach these techniques come from organisations we have chosen for their strength of teacher training, teacher support, community, and their strong foundations in the traditions from which these practices come.
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We take part in Continuing Profession Development activities to develop our knowledge and experience and keep our teaching fresh. Our qualifications are renewed periodically as required by our certification bodies.
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Our meditation and mindfulness teaching qualification comes from Zenways (Zenways.org).
Our health qigong teaching qualifications come from the British Health Qigong Association (healthqigong.org.uk). We are at present qualified to teach the following forms: Ba Duan Jin (8 Brocades), Da Wu (Great Dance), Liu Zi Jue (6 Healing Sounds).
We are DBS checked, insured and are First Aid at Work certified.
