Tea Ceremony and Taoist Qigong Practices/Ritual

The winter season is the time to rest and regenerate after a bustling summer and transitional fall season. The Tao (the way of nature) and Traditional Chinese Medicine promote a balanced way of living based on thousands of years of ancient wisdom. Natural living in harmony with nature allows the natural flow of life force/Qi, blood and other substances in our physical and energy body which will make us feel more balanced, peaceful yet alive.

You’re invited to rest in the presence of your own senses/body, to learn to balance Yin & Yang and to dive in and move through your Qi with a Tea Ceremony and Taoist Qigong practices guided by Leila Li and David Pho. We will meet at the beautiful tea club of Moychay Amsterdam on Sunday morning from 10-12 on December 17th. This balanced combination evolved from exploring different ancient practices in harmony with the Tao, with the invitation to observe your own unique experience, feel in your body, and integrate those experiences into a more mindful daily lifestyle. Together, we co-create a safe, connected and rooted resting space for cleansing, healing, emotional release, manifestation and call in our wishes for the future.

TEA CEREMONY AND MEDITATION

We will start the Sunday morning with an ancient and mindful Tea Ceremony as the opening. For this Tea Ceremony (‘Cha Dao’ 茶道, to experience the way of nature through the portal of tea within yourself), your host Leila will present specially selected tea (aged Shu Pu'er Tea) for the grounding of the winter season and guide you through a tea meditation that cultivates the present moments, mindful process and fluid flow in a harmonious atmosphere that brings us together and improves our taste and all the senses, health and soul. You might come home feeling a greater connection within yourself and with nature, and feeling more rested in your body/mind from this sacred ceremony. Tasty, fresh and vegan sweets will be shared to pair with the tea to enhance the senses and the mindful process.

TAOIST QIGONG PRACTICES & RITUAL

David will share his 20+ years taijiquan and qigong experience and teach a selection of 5 Taoist Qigong and Daoyin exercises aimed at promoting the natural flow of Qi through key meridians in your upper body. This area contains the heart, lungs, kidneys and triple burners which play an essential role in clearing our mind and warming our body, thus calming our spirit, and improving our energy level and immune system. The selected exercises are relatively easy to take home and support you throughout the winter days and beyond. No previous experience is required; it’s for everyone of all backgrounds.

– Standing Meditation (zhanzhuang) will nurture more focus and stillness in body & mind allowing you to deeply sense your inner body. Standing quietly and attentively without distraction from physical movements will help you open up and free your body from inner blockages.

– Eight Brocates Daoyin (Baduanjin) is a set of 8 stretching exercises based on Daoyin principles, which can be practiced both sitting and standing. Literally Daoyin means ‘steering Qi and guiding the body’. Every exercise is intended to create more openness, space and flow in specific meridians and body parts.

–Wudang Qigong is a series of 10 taoist Qigong exercises which teaches you to actively move Qi through your energy body based on taoist principles by applying intention, focus and breathing. The physical and mindfull Qigong movements will help guide the Qi flow in your body resulting in more peace and clarity in your heart, as well as physical and emotional resilience.

WHO ARE WE:

About David Pho: After obtaining his Leiden University degree in Chinese languages and cultures in 1997, he started a life-long journey and practice of taoism, taijiquan and qigong in the School van de Kraanvogel. Since 2020, he is deepening his studies with Chinese medicine at the Academie Qingbai combined with learning primitive survival and nature skills with the Bosbeweging to connect deeply with the natural world.

About Leila Li: Leila is an artist and ceremony guide hosting a variety of ancient Tea Ceremonies such as Kung-fu, Matcha and fluid meditative styles. She also has many years of experience exploring traditional Chinese and plant medicine, as well as embodied art therapy. Learn more and connect with Leila on www.leilarts.com and IG @leilaarts_teaceremony & @leilarts_plantmedicine

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

☼ Ticket: 35 euros (max 15 spots)
☼ Entrance time (doors open): 09:45
☼ Starting time: 10:00 (please arrive on time)

Looking forward to sharing this special experience with you soon!

With love,
Leila and David