This ten-week course focuses on practical, no nonsense, self-defence techniques for women. It is not designed to teach all the complexities of a martial art where it can take years of practice before you can defend yourself properly. What it does teach is a method by which you can effectively defend yourself using a handful of proven techniques that will help you overcome most situations.

You are not required to be particularly fit to take part in this programme, however if you are significantly overweight, elderly, have not exercised for a long period of time, or suffer from diabetes, heart, respiratory or back problems, it is advisable to consult your doctor before commencing any type of training.

Lecture Contents

• Prevention & Avoidance
• Awareness & Self Confidence
• Fear & its Effects – adrenaline & how to make use of it
• Strike Effectively
• Self-defence and the Law

Practical Workshop Contents

• Awareness & posture
• Psychological defence
• Wrist hold escapes
• Clothing hold escapes
• Arm hold escapes
• Choke hold escapes
• Hair hold escapes
• Using your voice effectively
• Finger locks
• Wrist locks
• Arm locks
• Shoulder locks
• Choke holds
• Take down methods
• Body weapons – effective strikes
• Utilising weapons to hand

For further information, please use the form on the Contact Us page.

The Diploma course with Des Lawton MRSS, Principal Instructor of the San Bao Taiji & Qigong School, will cover diagnosis and treatment using 5 Element theory to prescribe Qigong as a healing medium.

The course, based on using the San Bao (the Three Treasures of Body/Mind/Spirit) as a holistic approach to healing, will be taught at three levels with a Graduation Certificate presented to successful students. Students will be required to learn the Shibashi qigong exercises in depth, including enhancements, know their use for healing, which is the primary Element for each exercise, be able to diagnose energetic imbalance, and be able to prescribe appropriate qigong.

COURSE SYLLABUS:

Certificate 1 (1 weekend)

• The Tai Chi Shibashi Qigong system, including variations in breathing patterns.
• The uses/healing aspects of each of the exercises.
• Listening exercises; qi awareness.

Certificate 2 (2 weekends)

• The Tai Chi Shibashi Qigong in more depth.
• Diagnosing imbalances in the meridian system.
• Using 5 Element Theory.
• Listening exercises; the different qualities of qi.

Certificate 3 (2 weekends)

• Enhancing the Shibashi exercises to increase their potency.
• Qi projection; assisted qigong with the practitioner aiding the flow of qi within the client.
• Listening exercises; using the different qualities of qi within healing.
• Assessment - Theory and practical.
  

The cornerstone of Chinese medicine is built on the concept that the universe is made of Qi and that all living things have a particular quality of this Qi. Qi is life, without Qi life does not exist. During the Healing Qigong course you are taught to listen to the Qi, and by using these listening skills you are able to identify the changes in the Qi occurring during the treatment. This instantaneous feed-back brings accuracy and confidence, and in the knowledge that all illnesses have an energetic pattern you can treat any dis-ease that may be presented to you.

As a therapy, Healing Qigong can be used either on its own or to augment any other therapy. In China it is used in the treatment of cancer as part of a regime that may use allopathic medicine, surgery, or Traditional Chinese medicine (herbal and acupuncture). Even with the new scientific technology available to us today, the validity of these ancient arts has not been diminished and current research is only now rediscovering the wisdom of our forbears.

Theoretically, Qigong follows the same rules as Acupuncture, Shiatsu, etc. in that it uses the concept of Qi, uses the meridian system and the exceptional vessels, and incorporates the Five Element Theory. The goal is to reduce excess and feed deficiency, reducing Yang conditions and increasing Yin conditions. In acupuncture this balancing is brought about by the techniques of stimulation and reduction that involve the way in which the needles are turned, or inserted and retracted. In Shiatsu these conditions are known as Kyo/Jitsu and the techniques are called tonification and sedation. These techniques are utilised to facilitate the raising or lowering of the condition (Yin or Yang), to either cool or heat the Qi in order to achieve a particular result; healing the patient, or to act as a prevention against illness.

By practising Qigong, the therapist/practitioner can increase their Qi capacity, and their ability to direct the Qi, so that the energy can be used during treatment. The therapist is also able to prescribe specific Qigong exercises to be used by the client in the healing process. For the healer to heal, he/she must first be healthy and have strong Qi. By the daily practice of Qigong, the therapist, or practitioner, remains in good health (the immune system is boosted and the endocrine system is more active). This health is not confined to the mere physical; it is health/balance of body, mind and spirit - Qi, Jing and Shen.

• The Qi affecting the physical
• The Jing increasing and maintaining vigour.
• The Shen affecting the consciousness.

The practice of Qigong is mainly used to treat chronic aliments although it can also be used to treat acute conditions like aches and pains. However, as in most of the oriental healing arts, the Qigong therapist is like the gardener who is constantly tending his plot, weeding and making sure that the ground is nurtured - rather than the repairman who only calls when there is already something wrong.