There was something that mysteriously existed before the birth of Heaven and Earth,
not knowing what to call this great source, I humbly call it Tao - The Great Natural Way…

Taoism is an ancient wisdom tradition that originated in China  thousands of years ago. It preaches a way of harmony of self and nature, stressing balance, yielding, and nurturing. Within the Taoist Tradition, we find a wealth of Yogic Arts, self healing practices, and methods of mastering the Universal Energy Force. These Tao Yoga practices yield vital health, awaken healing energy, balance our emotions, help us to develop inner strength, reduce stress and uncover our inner spiritual nature.

From August 28 - October 9 on Saturday afternoons from 1:15 - 3:15 p.m., Jesse Lee Parker will provide a complete introduction to the practice of Tao Yoga a series of classes at Yoga Tree. In Taoist theory, a human is viewed as being composed of three basic treasures: Vital Essence, Vital Energy and Vital Spirit. This series of classes provides a systematic step by step approach to training and developing these three treasures, through intensive training of the body, breath, energy and spirit using traditional methods of Tao Yoga practice.

As the series is designed as a complete introduction to the practice, we encourage interested students to register for the series; however, if committing to the full series is difficult, you may attend classes on a drop-in basis as long as space is available. This series of classes is limited to 16 students and the cost is ¥18,000 (drop-in rate: ¥3,500 per class).

REGISTRATION

For more information about the series, click the “More” link below.

Students who take part in the entire course training will be given an outline of daily practice to help them bring the lessons into their daily life, and help to insure the proper growth and development of their inner energy in between workshops.  We will also offer an additional evaluation for each student prior to their starting, concerning their 5 element system condition, and their Yin and Yang energy balance, and how to balance this system during the training in regards to diet, Tao Yoga Practice and lifestyle. We will keep a record of each students condition, and also list any goals the student may have such as weight loss, healing, or other lifestyle changes they wish to gain from taking part in this series.  This is a course in self transformation, awakening and change using the methods of Tao Yoga; a wonderful life changing experience through the application of ancient Taoist Wisdom in these stressful modern times.

Class 1: Dantian Development (1)

The first class series focuses on the process of awakening our core energetic center, the Dantian.
The Dantian is a root energetic center that functions to develop, transform and distribute energy through our entire system.  Our health and ability of self healing is dependent on the health and proper functioning of this root center.
In this first course we will learn the following foundation Tao Yoga practice methods:
• 8 Silk Brocades for awakening and balancing our energetic meridian system~
• Dantian Inner Nurturing Breath Training for awakening our Inner Energy~
• Dragon and Tiger Qigong for gathering energy from nature~

The student who attends this class will gain the ability to balance the energy meridian system for improved health and healing, gain a union of mind intention with the Dantian energy center, learn how to develop and nurture energy in the Dantian center, how to gather healing energy from nature and draw this energy into our energetic matrix system, the energetic circulation routes of the small water wheel and the TaiChi Pole, how to store and conserve energy in the Dantian center, and also diet and lifestyle advise on supporting our practice and energetic development.

Class 2: 8 Immortal Tao Yin - (1)

In this second class series we will focus on learning the practice of Tao Yin.  Tao Yin is an ancient practice composed of regulated breath training, dynamic stretches, and movements which help to circulate the inner energy and open up the energy meridian system.  The benefits the student will receive from the practice of the 8 Immortal Tao Yin system will include transformation of the physical system, particularly the tendon and skeletal system.  This form will also aid in detoxification, strengthen our internal organ system, and help to further purify the physical system.  We will also begin the process of opening up the 12 yin and yang energy channels, gain a stronger connection to the Earth and Universe force, and further develop our Dantian Energy Center.

We will learn the following Tao Yoga methods in this class:
~8 Immortal Tao Yin (exercises 1-4)
~Energetic Meridian Self Massage
~Primordial Standing Meditation

Class 3: Dantian Development - (2)

In this third class series, we will further continue in our development of the Dantian energetic center, and cultivation of the Vital Life Force Energy - ‘Qi’.  The Dantian center is a place for storage and transformation of the vital energy.  In this class we will explore this process of storing energy, transforming base energy, gathering energy from nature, and the process of purification of energy.  Our focus point in this class will be on developing a balanced energy that can be further used to gain self healing, transformation of the body, and be used to open up the blocks in our energy meridian system.

We will learn the following Tao Yoga methods in this class:
~Activation of the Earth Gate, or Seat of Yin
~Gathering the Golden Elixir
~Dantian Breathing
~Embrace the Moon Standing Meditation

Class 4: 8 Immortal Tao Yin - (2)

In this fourth class series, we will continue in our exploration of the 8 Immortal Tao Yin system, learning the final 4 movements and completing the form.  The main focus will be in gaining opening of our 12 main energetic channels, gaining balance of our 5 elements, further developing our Dantian energy, and strengthening our connection to the earth and universal force. The benefits the student will receive from the practice of the 8 Immortal Tao Yin practice will include transformation of the physical system, particularly the tendon and skeletal system.  This form will also aid in detoxification, and help to further purify the physical system.  We will also begin the process of opening up the 12 yin and yang energy channels, gain a stronger connection to the Earth and Universe force, further develop our Dantian Energy Center, and gathering of energy from the 4 directions.

We will learn the following Tao Yoga methods in this class:
~8 Immortal Tao Yin (exercises 5-8)
~Energetic Meridian Self Massage
~Primordial Standing Meditation

Class 5: Heaven & Earth Qigong

In this fifth class series, we will explore the Heaven & Earth Qigong system.  In this stage of our training, we begin to depart from the physical and enter more strongly into the energetic.  We will explore the process of opening the 8 Spiritual Vessels, and explore the 5 Energy Gates.  The 8 Spiritual Vessels are a very special network of deep energetic channels which store and circulate spiritual energy.  The 5 Energy Gates are centers from which we may gather external energy into our energy meridian network.  In this practice we begin to join the ‘Three Forces’ of Human, Earth and Universe into a Great Union and Harmony.  This practice is a wonderful self healing method, a profound moving meditation, and also a bridge to move from the physical to the spiritual.  This form will aid the student in developing a profound level of healing energy, gain union with nature and the universe, gain a deep balance of the mind and emotions, and also circulate energy throughout the spiritual orbits.

We will learn the following Tao Yoga methods in this class:
~Heaven & Earth Qigong
~7 Stage Purification Breathing
~Energetic Meridian Self Massage
~5 Gate Standing Meditation

Class 6: Internal Alchemy Meditation

In this sixth class series, we will explore the ancient practice of Taoist Internal Alchemy Meditation.  The practice of Inner Alchemy Meditation is the highest point of study and practice within the Tao Yoga system.  It is a practice of transformation, change and spiritual awakening.  We will learn deeper aspects of Dantian development, unification of the energetic channels, cultivation and circulation of healing energy, and the process of entering into Stillness and Tranquility.   This is a profound and wonderful life practice and a very rare treasure.  The student who takes part in this course will gain a deeper understanding and ability in how to remove blockages and obstructions in the energy meridian system, cultivation of healing energy, further development and strengthening of the Dantian Center, enter into spiritual growth and development, and enter into the state of Tranquility and Stillness.

We will learn the following Tao Yoga methods in this class:

~8 Seated Silk Brocades
~Unification of Mind Intention and the Dantian Center
~Taoist Hand Postures and Mudras
~Taoist Seated Meditation Method
~Theory of Energetic Cultivation
~Theory of Transformation of Energy
~Theory of Cultivation of Spirit
~Theory of Gaining Union with Tao
~Energetic Meridian Self Massage