Workshops

Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate

Instructor : Rick Barrett

Rick Barrett is a senior tai chi student of Grandmaster William C. C. Chen. He also studies Chen Style tai chi and Xingyiquan with Master Yang Fukui. He teaches workshops around the country and has written a number of articles on tai chi, push hands, and tournaments for Inside Kung Fu and Tai Chi Magazine. He is author of Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate.

As a push hands competitor, Rick dominated his weight division for several years. He was middleweight national champion in 96, 97, and 98. He was also the US Kuoshu Champion in the unlimited division in 97 and 98.

Since retiring from tournament competition, Rick has been active as a forms judge and push hands referee, including recent service at the US Wushu Union Nationals and the AAU Nationals.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate, Rick Barrett presents a radical vision of the effect of consciousness on human ability. Using the ancient Chinese martial art of taijiquan (t'ai chi ch’uan), he demonstrates how each one of us can quickly and easily move to higher states of energetic coherence in body and mind. These states of heightened coherence have been utilized throughout the world to access spiritual insight, better health, and almost superhuman martial and athletic prowess.
In this seminar, Rick takes us even further beyond the Western Gate.

Love or Fear: Toward a Love-Based Martial Art
In each moment of our lives we are presented with the opportunity to choose between Love and Fear. Love embraces what is. Fear rejects it.

The human animal is wired to respond to challenging situations in much the same way as other animals: fight, flight, or freeze. The challenge is seen as a threat and our responses are fear-based (not just fear, but anger, hostility, contemptuousness, resentment, etc.). The human spirit, on the other hand, is inspired to transcend and include the challenging energies through understanding and compassion—Love.

Many martial arts draw their strength and effectiveness by emphasizing fear as motivation. Students are instructed to develop armor to resist incoming energy and powerful weapons to pierce opponents’ armor. The world is seen as a harsh and hostile place, and training rewards fear-based behavior.

Paradoxically, we are actually empowered by love and compassion, even in the face of threatening behavior. We are physically stronger and have clearer perceptions and better reactions when calm, centered, and expansive. Some martial arts use this to their advantage.

The challenge is to allay the fears of our animal nature while learning to handle unpredictable behaviors with confidence and understanding. Those who can do this are rewarded with expanded consciousness, a heightened sense of well-being, and a trove of unexpected abilities.

In this seminar we explore:

Inner Creative Journeys Workshop
Instructor: Viki Brown

Visionary explorations for conscious creativity. A great way to relax and open up to your imagination and inner artistic self. Tap into yourself to find meaningful awareness. This workshop will be using ancient ceremonial 'Indigenous Dream Journeys' from Caribbean Indians like the Taino and Arawak's along with a variety of other tribes like the Shuar and Lakota. Unleashing fields of vision, you will become more acquainted with your specific needs and goals at this time. Viki will use drumming and Lakota flute playing along with visualizations to facilitate your 'Dream Journeys'. This workshop will be held in the St. John National Park 18th Century Sugar Mill Ruin. This dynamic class will help you to become centered and clear about your goals and aspirations.
This is an evening class and will be included and optional with all daytime workshop attendees along with their partner.

Vinyasa Yoga, Jivamukti, Anusara, Ashtanga,
Yin and Restorative

Instructor : Carla Murray

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Carla is a certified Jivamukti Yoga Instructor and has been practicing yoga for 16 years. She has studied numerous styles including: Jivamukti , Anusara, Ashtanga, Yin and Restorative. When people ask her “What is your style?”, she often replies “It’s all yoga!” This always inspires the question “What is Yoga?”

There are many different perceptions of what yoga is but the ultimate goal of all yoga is: “The Realization of the Oneness of Being.”

Though the benefits to the physical body cam be significant, it is the connection of the mind, body and spirit that is most beneficial. It may be impressive to stand on one’s head but without intention and awareness, this is merely a form of physical exercise. There is a reason yoga is so popular today and it's not due to just trend, fashion or fitness. We are evolving in to more conscious and awakened beings. The practice of yoga is a wonderful path to physical, mental and spiritual well being, creating peace of mind, a healthy body and a deep connection to one's self and a strong grounding to the earth.

Classes are open to all levels and will include the practice of asana, deep relaxation and meditation.

You will be challenged and inspired by active postures in vinyasa flow sequences
Focus will include: breath awareness, proper alignment and hands on adjustments. Later in the class, we will move into more passive and restorative postures leading up to deep relaxation and short meditation. Our intention is for you to leave this class with a heightened connection to your inner being in order for you to:

Hoop Dancing
Instructor: Gina Wellner

Gina Wellner is a Certified Hoop Dance Instructor who is passionate about teaching joy and vitality through her Hoop Classes.

Hoop Dancing is a fitness and expressive dance program that utilizes heavy adult sized hula hooping as a vehicle to facilitate self-expression, creativity, and cohesive movement while having fun and exercising. This workshop will be specific for beginner hoopers and you will learn the basics such as core body hooping, freeing the feet, moving through the exercises to promote a nice flow. Simple moves on the body to "off the body" tricks will be taught along with balance work and Hoop Flow.

The students will learn through their own creative expression, how to choreograph their own hoop transitions and dance moves. This type of instruction increases coordination, strength-building, movement, balance, and expressive release through the use of instructive hoop play.