“He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble, he will stay forever safe.” (Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English).

The basis of a of a safe practice is staying connected to your centre and remaining active at end range. With reference to the Tao Te Ching, Chap 44.

Discover the serene wonders of the forest as you embark on a restorative journey filled with relaxed and friendly vibes. Step into a weekend escape dedicated to nurturing your mind and body through slow, mindful movement that focuses on organizing and activating your whole body from the ground up and connecting your facial lines to your core.

(Yogis have been asking about the cost of this weekend retreat.

Single and shared accommodation is available. There is an accommodation deposit of $60 on booking. Facilitator cost is by dana, or fair exchange, think $150 +/- $50, ask if you are unsure. More booking info at the end of this post.)

Led by the experienced and like-minded duo, Bevie Barker and Chris Newell, this unique workshop invites you to explore the profound connection between your feet and your core. Practice priming your fascial lines and connecting to your core, the powerhouse of the body. Throughout the weekend, we'll employ a range of movement modalities, including Slow Yoga, Feldenkrais, and Qi Gong, to gently unite the foot-to-core connection, extending it and ultimately experiencing a sense of whole-body harmony.

Central to our approach is the concept of interoception - the profound awareness of our internal bodily state. By engaging in slow, mindful movement practices, we cultivate a deep sense of interoceptive awareness. This heightened awareness allows for both bottom-up and top-down self-regulation, empowering the nervous system to naturally find balance and return to a state of calm. As you learn to identify and understand how you feel, you'll discover the ability to make more informed and positive choices in life.

Throughout the workshop, we'll delve into the exploration of fascial and core activation from a proprioceptive and interoceptive perspective. Our aim is to establish a profound integration of the whole-body biotensegrity model. Slow Yoga, inspired by Subtle Yoga, Feldenkrais, I Liq Chuan Qi Gong and Activated Asana form the foundation of our bodywork modalities. Emphasizing slowness and mindfulness, these practices are ideal for cultivating interoception and fostering a deep sense of self-awareness.

In addition to our enriching bodywork sessions, the weekend will also feature short meditation sits to promote relaxation and inner peace. So, take this opportunity to unwind, recharge, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the forest environment while cultivating proprioception and interoception for a more connected and revitalized you. Join us on this transformative journey towards whole-body activation and greater self-awareness.

Experience the transformative power of slow, mindful, and breath-centric practice as it builds and fortifies your resilience. Resilience, the remarkable ability to respond adeptly to both internal and external physical and psychological stressors, enables us to swiftly return to a state of equilibrium known as homeostasis – a state of balance and clarity.

Delving into the Window of Tolerance (WOT), a profound model developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, we gain insights into the adaptability of our nervous systems. This concept defines our optimal arousal zone, where emotions naturally ebb and flow. Stepping beyond this window, either into hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal, can lead to stress and affect our overall well-being.

The WOT model illustrates how our nervous system performs a dynamic dance seeking homeostasis between energetic states: the sympathetic arousal state and the parasympathetic rest-and-digest state. A gradient exists within the window, ranging from hyper to hypo activation. The ideal ratio between these states, often suggested to be around 7:1, contributes to a harmonious and balanced nervous system.

In a state of homeostasis, our nervous system reaches an optimal, centered position – one of rest, relaxation, and calm. Ideally, this serene state is our natural default setting. However, various factors can induce stress, making it challenging to achieve relaxation. Yet, through slow, mindful movement and bodywork, we find a pathway to cultivate resilience and enhance our nervous system's ability to return to a balanced state.

In the gentle embrace of these practices, we learn to harness the power of resilience, enabling us to navigate the ups and downs of life with grace and composure. By nurturing our nervous system resilience, we discover the profound impact these practices have on our overall well-being. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and inner strength as you uncover the wonders of homeostasis through slow, mindful movement and bodywork.

This weekend retreat is held at Origins Retreat Centre in Balingup, a hidden gem in the South West, surrounded by natural forest, streams, gardens and starlit nights. You can arrive at Origins between 3pm and 6.30pm on Friday Nov 15 to settle in.

Origins has a fully equipped kitchen for you to use, but you’re encouraged to bring pre prepared meals so you have more time to enjoy the space. Balingup is only a few minutes’ drive away, if you want to get lunch at a local cafe.

 Accommodation is limited and a non-refundable deposit of $60 for Friday and Saturday payable to Origins Centre is required payable to Commonwealth Bank BSB: 06 6504 ACC: 1001 7993. Please include in the bank transfer details: “OC_NOV_your name”. This deposit is required to confirm your place at the time of booking, this dana goes toward your dana (fair, considered exchange) for the accommodation. You will need to bring your own bedding. Please email a confirmation to Chris Newell chris@circlework.training  when this is done.

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