Upcoming Northampton Events
Tai Chi Workshop - Push Hands
Saturday 20th May 2023 10-4
There are three pillars to traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan:
Chi kung
Form work
Push hands
All are essential for understanding the Art of Tai Chi as a method for cultivating and using internal power (chi). This workshop focusses on push hands. In it's simplest form it is partnered practice sensing and feeling how to maintain one's own balance, whilst disturbing the balance of one's practice partner. This is intended to be done playfully and without ego, so push hands is by nature a fun activity.
The true Art is not based on clumsy force and brute strength, but instead on one's ability to listen to the opponent's force, interpret the energy and respond in an appropriate manner using chi flow. This will be investigated through fixed movement push hands exercises, that focus on the eight energies, and through sensitivity push hands, which focuses on freedom of movement with incredible stability.
Push hands moves one's understanding of internal energy quickly forwards and points towards the full potential of Tai Chi.
Chamtrul Rinpoche
The relationship between mind, energy and body
25th July 2023
Chamtrul Rinpoche is an eminent scholar and the recognised reincarnation of a great master from the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddism, the oldest school in Tibet. With his renowned knowledge of the Buddha's teachings of Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen, he dedicates his life to helping people find inner peace. Places can be booked free of charge. There will be an opportunity to make donations on the night.
Meditation and Yoga Retreat Day
Cultivating Loving Kindness
Saturday 13th May 2023
Come along to our first ever joint meditation and yoga retreat day where we will explore the theme of loving kindness. This retreat day offers the exciting opportunity to explore with two experienced teachers; Rachael Cheang, and Karen Cleary ( https://karenclearyyoga.com/ ) Open to all from beginner to advanced. Bookings before 23rd April will be priced at earlybird price of £50. (Bookings after 23rd April will be £60) Vegan lunch included
Past events
Workshop - Tai Chi concepts and principles: Being Centred
Saturday 18th February 2023 10-4
Tai Chi strengthens and harmonises mind, body and spirit. The process is through refinement, much like how a sword smith will create a pure steel blade by repeatedly hammering and folding the metal, driving out all impurities.
In this workshop we will discover more about how we build, protect and use our centre (Tan Tien) through experiential practice with workshop participants.
You are welcome to join in whether you are new to Tai Chi or an experienced practitioner already.
Suitable for beginners and experienced students.
Non MDA members - £65 on the day / £55 early bird offer
MDA member price - £60 on the day / £50 early bird offer
Workshop - Tai Chi concepts and principles: Hollowing the Chest.
Saturday 26th November 2022 10-4
Hollowing the chest to raise the back is one of Yang Cheng Fu's 10 essential principles. By focussing on this for a day you will have the time to move forwards in depth and understanding of this important principle. Hollowing the chest to raise the back simultaneously calms and roots the system, creating a natural emptiness for opposing force to drop into, allowing one to retain control of the situation. It deepens and clears the mind and protects the heart so that the energy can continue to flow naturally and be directed with focus and purpose according to your intent ('Yi') effectively.
Tai Chi Workshop - Merging, sensing and projecting Chi
September 10th 2022
10 - 4
The ability to merge and project internal energy (Chi) is a fundamental part of traditional Tai Chi training and vitally important in unlocking one's ability to apply Tai Chi's concepts and principles.
Through playful exploration, we can deepen our understanding of the phenomenon of Chi and how interacting on this basis promotes health, harmony and revitalisation. Gentleness, caring, listening and feeling are actually an important part of developing the traditional Tai Chi skills and experiencing oneness with the Tao.
During this workshop we will discover how working with internal energy to increase sensitivity to one's environment and the people around us underpins advanced health, healing and martial skills.
How to work on Yang Cheng Fu's ten essential principles - with Sifu Nick Cheang
Tai Chi Workshop - June 11th
10 - 4
Written down almost 100 years ago, these valuable principles, once mastered, create a powerful Tai Chi practitioner. They open the energy channels on the mind and body, harmonise the system and allow strong, efficient circulation and usage of internal energy ('chi'). Invaluable for health, self development and understanding of Tai Chi as a martial art. This is one of the gateways to the full traditional system and the higher teachings.
Suitable for beginners and experienced students.
Non MDA members - £65 on the day / £55 early bird offer
MDA member price - £60 on the day / £50 early bird offer
18th Jan, 8th Feb, 7th Mar, 18th Apr, 27th Jun, 11th Jul, 15th Aug, 19th Sep, 17th Oct, 14th Nov, 12th Dec 2020
Tai Chi Monthly Meet Ups by Sifu Nick Cheang
Working with and exploring internal energy. Taking skills, knowledge and understanding of internal energy ('chi') further. These monthly Saturday classes are accessible to all. Beginners to advanced welcome.
Cost: £20 Time: 10am - 1pm Tai Chi Class
Cost: £14 Time 2pm - 4pm Tai Chi Push Hands
For more info or to book, please contact Nick on 0798474712, email nick@masterdingacademy.com
31st January - 3rd February 2020
Residential Meditation Retreat
Courage, Compassion & Connection
led by Rachael Cheang & Anna Gillions
This residential retreat is for anyone wanting to explore what it takes to be open and present with the heart, to open to our own suffering and vulnerability and to be able to connect with others with confidence and authenticity.
Details of venue and price to follow soon.
For more info or to resister your interest, please contact Rachael on 07949248892, email rachael@deeperbeing.com.
Sat 2nd - Sun 3rd May 2020
Master John Ding and Master Alan Ding visit Northampton!!!
The last visit by Masters John and Alan Ding was very successful! They're returning to give us more! If you have ever been curious to know how far a Tai Chi practitioner can go, or to just experience what a high level mastery of internal energy feels like, this is for you. You will learn and experience more than I can adequately describe in words. People travel from around the world to find Master John Ding. All are welcome. Truly not to be missed. You can do one or two days of training. To receive information about this open event email me, Nick Cheang at nick@masterdingacademy.com or call me on 07984748712.
14th Mar, 6th Jun, 12th Sept, 5th Dec 2020
Awakening the Heart - The 4 Limitless Qualities Meditation Workshops
led by Rachael Cheang
This series of 4 workshops will look deeply at how we can train in the 4 limitless qualities to awaken the enlightened heart - Bodhicitta. They can be approached as a whole course or individually.
The first on the 14th March 2020 - Loving Kindness
This practice touches the tenderness of our heart, the experience of love and happiness, which lies within all of us. This training is about opening to both giving and receiving love to ourselves and others.
The second on the 6th June 2020 - Compassion
This practice opens us up to the rawness of our world, contacting our own and others’ suffering and developing the resilience and capacity necessary to embrace and hold space for it. This allows us to be fully present with ourselves and others through difficult circumstances.
The third on the 12th September 2020 - Joy
This practice awakens our sense of gratitude and appreciation of the world. It develops a lightness with life and a wish to share with others.
The fourth on the 5th December 2020 - Equanimity
This practice trains the non-judgemental mind, allowing us to move beyond prejudice into an open space. It develops our capacity to hold all mind states equally, freeing us from dualistic thinking.
These interactive workshops include the use of simple meditation, contemplation and visualisation techniques to explore in-depth the practices of the four immeasurables.
Refreshments and a simple vegetarian lunch will be provided during all workshops. Please let us know on booking if you have any specific dietary requirements.
Cost: £45 each (or all 4 for £160 if booked in advance) Time: 10am - 4pm
For more info or to book, please contact Rachael on 07949248892, email rachael@deeperbeing.com.
Past Northampton Events
Sat 10th - Sun 11th Aug 2019
Master John Ding and Master Alan Ding visit Northampton!!!
Sat 11th May 2019 - 12noon - 1pm
Northampton Moment of Mass Mindfulness led by Rachael Cheang
This international event (MOMM) takes place in cities all over the UK. This year is the first time it is taking place in Northampton and Rachael has been asked to lead it.
Taking place at the Umbrella Fair Organisation at The Racecourse Pavilion this is a free public event.
The meditation will be guided and no meditation experience is necessary. This event is part of a national initiative to bring the benefits of mindfulness to the masses.
An hour of community mindfulness will happen between 12 - 1pm, last entry to the event will be 11:50 am so that the group can prepare for the hours mindfulness. We are hoping for good weather, if so the session will be held in the Umbrella Fair Pavilion garden.
Moments of Mass Mindfulness(MOMM) is a meditation movement for everyone. They are raising awareness of, and co-creating in community, a model that fully embraces the true definition of health as both an Art and a Science. At the heart of it all, they are focused on building community, connection, collaboration and to enhance personal wellbeing.
Imagine if mindfulness and meditation was a regular part of daily life in society. If every person was able to slow down, and connect with their calmer, essential self and find balance, it’s likely feelings of negative self-talk and aggression would disappear. Mindfulness is a strategy for directing yourself away from these self-incriminating thoughts and limiting beliefs. It’s a meditative practice of paying attention to your body, mind, and surroundings in a non-judgmental manner.
For more info please contact Rachael on 07949248892, email rachael@deeperbeing.com or visit the MOMM Northampton facebook page.
