Mini retreat: Tai chi for stress and balance
An out-of-this-world mini retreat at the Stardome to learn how to relieve stress, sleep better and create a calm and centred new life with tai chi and qigong.
Date and time: Friday 17 September 2021, 1.30 – 7.45pm. Early bird price closes on 1 August 2021.
Venue: Stardome Observatory & Planetarium (This retreat is organised by Kia Ora Tai Chi, not the Stardome itself.)
Address: 670 Manukau Road, One Tree Hill Domain, Royal Oak, Auckland. Refer to map
Join Kia Ora Tai Chi in the countdown to the Spring Equinox in September, when the length of night is equal to day, and the earth is harmonised. Perfect timing for fresh beginnings.
Stress management
Can you imagine how good it would feel to escape from the black hole of stress from too many demands at work or from life in general? Absolutely, positively YES. At this mini retreat, through the booster rocket that is tai chi and deep oxygen-rich breathing (called qigong), you’ll learn how to avoid the gravitational force of stress. After the retreat, you’ll know how to rebalance your mind and body at anytime you feel stressed, wherever you are.
Work/life balance
How fantastic would it be to navigate into a new orbit where you had time and energy for everything you want to do? Let the countdown begin to blast off to a new and balanced universe for you. You’ll learn how to use a space journal to calm and focus your mind so you can get more out of life, enjoy ‘me time’ and shine bright and warm like a sun in your own solar system.
Better sleep
Wouldn’t it be fabulous to enjoy a feeling of weightlessness and without worry as you fall into a delectable, deep slumber every night? Imagine a full night’s sleep without tossing and turning or your brain churning about everything you need to do? Don’t just daydream about it. Through guided tai chi meditation you will learn how to empty your mind and say good night to stress and anxiety so you can wake up refreshed and ready for anything, every morning.
Testimonial: “Thank you so much for your lovely tai chi classes The feeling I get is of empowerment and understanding of how we can use our body to help in our daily life.” (Caroline, January 2020)
Mindfulness
How fulfilling would it be to feel mindful and connected, instead of a lone star adrift in a starless night? Infinitely satisfying. We’ll take you on a live 360-degree experience at the planetarium with an extraordinary tour of the stars, planets, constellations and our night sky. After the retreat, you’ll be able to look up on any night and feel that you and your amazing world are calm, balanced and in harmony with the entire universe.
Early bird price (closes on 1 August)
- Bring a friend or family member for half price (79.50) Contact Kia Ora Tai Chi to arrange payment once you’ve bought one ticket for $159.
For online banking (without credit card), click here to contact Jocelyn Watkin of Kia Ora Tai Chi or phone/text her on: 027 493 9851
Who is the instructor?
Jocelyn Watkin helps people of all ages and abilities to reduce stress and improve their overall health, fitness and balance with tai chi and qigong.
She is the founder and director of Kia Ora Tai Chi and is a qualified, premier instructor for the international Tai Chi for Health Institute. She has extensive experience in teaching face-to-face or online for regular weekly classes, workshops and retreats, and at schools, a medical centre and a retirement village.
Jocelyn has a New Zealand Diploma of Teaching and has trained in martial arts for over 25 years, specialising solely in tai chi and qigong since 2003.
What is the Spring Equinox and why is it so important for the mini retreat?
In Aotearoa/New Zealand, the Spring Equinox for 2021 happens during mid – late September. It is when the number of daylight hours equal that of the night hours. Day and night are balanced perfectly. What this means for all living things (including us humans), is that after resting over the longer nights of winter we are now ready for more sunlight so we can burst into new life and fresh beginnings.
It is the best time to learn and develop, especially for how to become more balanced and stress-free.
Who is this mini retreat for? Numbers are limited to 12 people
It will be ideal for anyone aged 18+ who wants to bust stress, sleep better or is seeking life/work balance. High school students needing help with anxiety or wanting a way to manage stress caused by assignments and exams can attend for half price if accompanied by a full price adult.
All abilities are welcome as the tai chi and qigong can be done seated or standing.
Testimonial: “Jocelyn [of Kia Ora Tai Chi] makes tai chi such an enjoyable experience! She makes everyone feel welcome, no matter what age or level of experience. I love Jocelyn’s humour and her patience too. Tai chi has helped me focus on my breathing and posture. I feel invigorated after each session.” (Cynthia, February 2020)
What’s included in the mini retreat?
- You will learn Tai Chi for Meditation, Harmony and Balance, which is powerful yet gentle on your joints. After the retreat, you’ll be able to do this tai chi at anytime to reduce stress.
- Journaling to calm and focus your mind so you get more out of life.
- The countdown method to mindfulness. Easy to remember whenever you need it.
- A journal that you can take home and keep using after the retreat.
- A live 360-degree experience at the planetarium.
- Tea, coffee and snacks.
- Free parking at the Stardome and in One Tree Hill Domain.
- Meeting new friends
What others say about Kia Ora Tai Chi sessions:
“Calming”, “Keeps the body moving”, “Inspiring”, “Encouraging”, “Feel centred”, “Sleep better”, “Feel in control”, “Wonderful”, “Fabulous”, “Loved it” and “A gift”.
Early bird price (closes on 1 August)
A full refund (less any credit cards fees) is available up until 2 August if you change your mind
After 1 August:
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- $189 per person (plus credit card fees, if applicable).
- Bring a friend or family member for half price (94.50)
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For online banking (without credit card), click here to contact Jocelyn Watkin of Kia Ora Tai Chi or phone/text her on: 027 493 9851
What is tai chi and qigong and why are they so good for you?
Often described as “moving meditation”, tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art and exercise programme that combines mental focus with deliberate, mindful steps and postures. It is sometimes referred to as “taiji” or “tai chi chuan”.
The kaupapa (underlying principle) of tai chi is Yin & Yang. These are two opposite and contrary forces in nature, which become interconnected and interdependent. An example would be night turning to day, followed by day turning to night. They work together in harmony and one can’t exist without the other.
Tai chi uses the natural balance of Yin & Yang in all movements. E.g. where there is forward step, there is also a backward one. If you move to one side, then you will also move to the other. In doing so, your body remains equally balanced as it smoothly moves from one step to the next, which doesn’t stress your joints.
Tai chi also works in harmony with your sympathetic nervous system (the fight, flight or freeze reflex). If you’re feeling tired or down, tai chi will boost and lift you. If you’re upset or anxious, it will help you to become calmer and more tranquil.
Qigong (pronounced ‘chee – gong’) is a deep breathing exercise. It is designed to calm your mind, rejuvenate your energy and increase your oxygen flow right down to your smallest fingers and toes. It will warm your hands and feet and will help you to feel good all over your body. Find out more
Numerous clinical trials have confirmed that tai chi taught specifically for health, which also includes deep breathing (the qigong) will improve your overall health and fitness by:
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- Decreasing stress.
- Improving balance.
- Increasing strength, fitness and flexibility.
- Better breathing (more oxygen in your body).
- Decreasing pain in your joints.
- Helping to reduce high blood pressure.
- Increasing your sense of well-being.
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What is journaling?
Writing in a journal (also known as journaling) can help you to process and understand what is happening in your life.
It will assist you to develop a plan of action to reduce worry, anxiety and stress and to take back the control of your thoughts and your life.
It can help you to overcome the overwhelm and create new habits to lasting change and freedom.
Jocelyn learned about the power of journaling when recovering from post traumatic stress over 20 years ago.
What will I need to bring?
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- Pen and paper or your lap top to take notes.
- A water bottle
- Something you’d like to eat during a short dinner break.
- Comfortable shoes to wear (you can also do tai chi in bare feet).
- Tai chi can be done in almost any clothing, but you are also welcome to bring a set of comfy clothes to change into if you are coming straight from work or school.
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Why is the retreat on a Friday afternoon and evening and not a weekend?
Unfortunately, we were unable to book the meeting room at the Stardome for a weekend date at this time of year. However, a vital part of what you will learn at the mini-retreat is how to make time for the activities you most want to do and for the people you love. Scheduling the retreat on what is traditionally a work day is a perfect first step for you to arrange time off for something worthwhile. You would make time for health care, as in a doctor or dental appointment, so why not for Tai Chi for Health? With a 1.30pm start time, those working will only need a half-day of leave.
What is the cancellation policy?
A full refund (less any credit cards fees) is available up until 2 August if you change your mind. There will be no refunds after that date as we will need to confirm and pay for the meeting room at the Stardome. To do this, we need a minimum number of committed people.
If for any reason we need to cancel the retreat before 17 September (for example, if there is another lockdown) you will be refunded in full. If you have any questions, please contact Jocelyn.
What is your COVID-19 policy?
All surfaces will be cleaned prior to the retreat and hand sanitiser will be provided. We will abide by the NZ Government’s health advice and regulations. Jocelyn has been fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.
Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.
And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.
It matters that you don’t just give up.” – Professor Stephen Hawking
What I love about seated tai chi is that enables all to enjoy the health and wellness benefits from tai chi, regardless of ability, age, size, shape or whether you have an illness or injury.