Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi

𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐈𝐧: 𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭
Reconnect with Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

📍 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚, 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚
🗓️ 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏-𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

Join us for a transformative 𝟑-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 focused on Qigong and the healing power of nature. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with your inner self amid the stunning landscapes of the 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚.

Each day, you will engage in mindful practices such as:

𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠
𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤
𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬
𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠

Evenings will provide time for relaxation at the historic 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥, allowing you to unwind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Experience the life-changing benefits of unplugging from daily distractions and immersing yourself in nature.

Participation in activities is 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, ensuring you can spend time in solitude if you prefer. Our retreat is designed for a small group of 8 to 10 participants, fostering a supportive environment.

𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: A good level of fitness and comfort walking on uneven ground.

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: Full payment is required to confirm your place.

💌 Contact: 𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦

Don’t miss this chance to slow down and listen to nature!

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫!

Join us in Galway this September and experience the transformative power of Tai Chi and Qigong! Our new classes start on Monday, September 2nd, and we invite you to explore these ancient practices that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Class Schedule:

𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠

Mondays at Croí Nua: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesdays at The Hub, Bearna: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢

Thursdays at Knocknacarra Community Centre: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

In these classes, you’ll learn how to improve your strength, flexibility, bone density, coordination, and balance. Tai Chi and Qigong are gentle, meditative practices that involve flowing movements and deep breathing, known to reduce stress, boost immunity, and enhance overall wellness.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to deepen your practice, our welcoming and supportive environment is the perfect place to start.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟎𝟖𝟔 𝟖𝟓𝟑 𝟑𝟑𝟗𝟓

Hosted by Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi, this is your chance to take a step towards a healthier, more balanced life. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for growth and well-being!

We look forward to seeing you in class!

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠.

Our classes begin on 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝐧𝐝, with 𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 sessions running from 𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌, followed by 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 from 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌.

Through these classes, you'll build strength and flexibility, increase bone density, improve coordination and balance, and enhance your concentration. Qigong and Tai Chi are ancient Chinese practices, combining gentle movements, deep breathing, and meditation. They are widely recognized for their health benefits, such as reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being.

These classes are perfect for beginners and will introduce you to fundamental techniques in a supportive and encouraging environment.

𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟎𝟖𝟔 𝟖𝟓𝟑 𝟑𝟑𝟗𝟓

Hosted by Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi, this is a fantastic opportunity to take a step toward better health and wellness. Don’t miss out!

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬!

Unlock the benefits of Tai Chi in our 8-week beginner course starting Monday, September 2nd at 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:

Date: Monday, September 2nd
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Duration: 8 weeks

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧:

Build Strength & Flexibility
Increase Bone Density
Improve Coordination & Balance
Enhance Concentration

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢?

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that combine gentle movements, deep breathing, and meditation. Known for its numerous health benefits, it helps in reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and improving overall well-being. Perfect for beginners, this class will introduce you to the fundamental techniques in a supportive environment.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭:
Contact Maeve at 095 41116 to book your place.

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐐𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 & 𝐓𝐚𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐢
Don't miss this opportunity to improve your health and wellness!

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

I am very excited to be running the first of hopefully many retreats with my good friend Marie in Renvyle house hotel in Connemara from 11-13th October. This is an opportunity to rediscover yourself, your inner power and energy through the medium of the ancient health practice of qigong within the wonderful landscape of Connemara and the Renvyle peninsula in particular. Marie will bring her vast experience as a psychotherapist to the group making that transition from the outside world to our inner world as smooth as possible.
Activities will include qigong, breath work, nature walks, guided meditation , self reflection and sharing in small and large groups. Please contact me on 086-8533395 for further information of to book your place.

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

First live in-person training the weekend before last with Master Tary as part of my Taichi certification with the Deyin institute in Telford, England.
Plenty of hard work during the weekend and excellent instruction from Master Tary. Looking forward to our next live training weekend on the sword.

World Qigong and Taichi day is coming up this Saturday. Why not join us and see what Taichi and Qigong are all about. No charge - this is all about getting the opportunity to try out something new which gives you energy, calms your mind and makes you feel good.

Our second term of evening classes of qigong starts next Monday in Croí Nua. Clear your mind and body at the end of your day and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep with our evening session. Qigong rebalances our body, emotions and our mind allowing us the peace to reflect on our day and contemplate on what we want for tomorrow.
Come join us and discover for yourself the soothing balm of this ancient Chinese practice.

After a long hibernation, we are re- emerging and starting our first outdoor sessions of Taichi and Qigong in the Circle of Life garden, Salthill.
Doing Taichi and Qigong in this beautiful garden is very special. Breathing in the lovely sea air, surrounded by trees and hearing the sounds of the birds mixed in with the water fountain is the perfect backdrop to allow our Qi to flow with nature’s Qi.
Come join us on Monday 1st April, 11am-12 midday for Taichi or
12midday to 1pm for Qigong and experience for yourself the joy of moving to the rhythm of nature.
Contact me at 086-8533395 to book your place.

I am really looking forward to our second term of Qigong at Westport Leisure Park in Westport town. There has been a great response to our first term and the students are really enjoying the simplicity of qigong and it’s adaptability to seated or standing positions and how good they feel after class.
Come join us on Wednesday 3rd April and discover this great way of looking after your body and mind.
Please text me on 086-8533395 if you would like to book a place.

Happy Chinese New Year, the year of the Dragon. Every year in February, the Chinese celebrate the new year and the animal assigned to that year. This is the year of the wood Dragon. People born this year are said to be entrepreneurial, creative, charismatic, innovative and lucky. The year of the dragon promises change sparking creativity and with the wood energy behind it, a year of transformation.
May we all welcome change in our personal lives and in the world in general.
This photo is of a painting of a dragon that I did just before Christmas in my Chinese painting class. This dragon looks quite fierce but in Chinese mythology the dragon is always kind and benevolent

I’m really looking forward to our upcoming Qigong workshop this Sunday in Croí Nua. This workshop will have as it’s theme the ‘Gentle transition from Winter to Spring’. We are moving out of my most Yin, reflective time of year when we nourish our kidneys into Spring when our Yang energy begins to rise and we come into our abundance and power.
Come join us and enjoy flowing with your kidney and liver energy.
Contact me on 086-8533395 to book your place.

Still some places left on our Taichi strength and conditioning class starting Thursday 1st February in Knocknacarra community centre 11.30am- 12.30pm.
Contact me on 086-8533395 to book a place or more information

Spring term gets off to a roaring start in Westport on Saturday 3rd February in the Westport Leisure park with an Introduction to Qigong workshop 3-4pm followed by an Introduction to Taichi workshop 4-5pm.
This is a perfect opportunity to try out these ancient Chinese movement traditions where we work with our energy to improve our vitality, strength and flexibility while calming our mind and emotions. Some people prefer the slow gentle movement of Taichi to energise them while others prefer the simplicity of Qigong where we don’t move our feet during practice. You can book your workshop place or your interest in our classes by contacting me on 086-8533395
Our new term classes start on Wednesday 7th February
Taichi 12-1pm
Qigong 2-3pm

A new venue for the new term of this year. I will be starting a Taichi health and fitness class on Thursday mornings 11.30-12.30 in the wonderful studio of Knocknacarra community centre.
Taichi is often underestimated as a fitness exercise as the movements are so slow. However the warm up of every taichi class is a work out loosening our muscles , stretching out tendons and muscles and then after warming up the body, we have enough strength and flexibility to move very slowly in the Taichi form. The warm up takes up half the class as without warming up the body, the slow taichi movements are not easy and not enjoyable.
Come and join us for this very effective way of keeping out bodies supple and healthy without overdoing it.

Please contact me on 086-8533395 if you would like to enliven your body and keep it fit and healthy.
First class Thursday 1st February 11.30am- 12.30pm

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

‘Connemara Taichi’ has transformed into ‘Stillness in Motion Qigong and Taichi’ to reflect the wonderful addition of Qigong classes to my teaching programme of Taichi classes.
The term ‘Stillness in Motion’ is used in both Taichi and Qigong and expresses the sweet spot we all strive to attain in our practice when everything flows.

In celebration of this new name, new year and new term there will be a Qigong workshop in Galway the first weekend of February, marking the Chinese New Year. This workshop will gently ease us out of winter into spring.
Croí Nua ,Taylor’s hill, Galway
Qigong workshop 4th Feb 11-1pm

There will also be a new Monday evening Qigong class 7.30-8.30pm in Croí Nua to calm us after our day’s activities and energise us for the next day. This class starts Monday 5th February and continues for 6 weeks.

Please contact me on 086-8533395 if you would like to register for the Qigong workshop or join our Monday evening Qigong class.

Our second workshop in Croí Nua.

So what is Qigong anyway? Qi means Energy in Chinese and gong means Skill, so qigong is skill working with our energy to improve our health. Qigong is about 4,000 years old and comes from China.
In winter time we concentrate on nourishing our kidney energy with Qigong movements. According to Chinese medicine, our kidneys are our batteries, they power everything in our bodies. When we work with our kidneys we are ensuring that our battery is charged. Our kidneys also are in charge of our bone health, our bone marrow, our joints and our skeleton. When we give attention to our kidney function, our skeleton, back, joints and bones all benefit.
During our upcoming workshop we will be working with our kidney energy, moving our bodies to the ancient Qigong rhythm, learning what to cook and eat during winter, how best to spend our wintertime so that we enter Spring time refreshed, energised and ready to move forward with confidence and good health.
Come join us and discover for yourself the joy and power of qigong. No previous experience required, movements are very simple and easy to do.
Workshop is 20€, please contact me on 086-8533395 to book your place.

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

We were blessed with the weather this morning at Croí Nua for our Taichi workshop - the rain held off and when the sun came out, we moved outdoors to make the most of the beautiful gardens. A lovely venue full of peace and tranquility both indoors and out which we enjoyed whole heartedly.

Our first workshop this year in the lovely Croí Nua Centre, Taylor’s hill, Galway, H91 WY2A.
This is a chance to try out Taichi and see what it is all about.
Taichi is an ancient Chinese movement sequence where we move very slowly and deliberately through a set pattern to build up our strength, flexibility and balance. Taichi is a mind body practice in that we use body movement to calm the mind and emotions giving our body and mind a chance to strengthen and heal. Come join us and enjoy engaging your body and mind in this very beautiful practice.
Contact me on 086-8533395 to book your place or if you have any questions or queries.

Taichi in Parkinson’s disease.
More and more people with Parkinson’s disease are being advised by their consultants to include Taichi in their exercise programme. It reduces the stress level in the body through relaxation, it improves strength, gait, posture, walking ability and helps prevent falls. Improved sleep can also experienced by some people.
I have started a slower paced Taichi class in the auditorium in Westport Leisure park 1-2pm on Wednesdays for people with balance issues or Parkinson’s disease.
If you have balance problems or have mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease, consider joining our class. You can contact me at 086-8533395 to try out a session and see how you feel during and after class.

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

Some photos from my early morning walk up Croagh Patrick this morning with the Mayo ‘Head up Hiking’ group to practice some qigong at sunrise- 7.15am on the top of the mountain.
We were unfortunate with the weather but did our practice all the same.
Head up hiking was started by Brian Cawley to allow people the opportunity to explore our beautiful mountains at a relaxed pace and improve our mental well being in the process. Brian is also asking practitioners like myself to add a bit of novelty to the walk. Check out their Instagram ‘headuphiking’.

I had the pleasure of talking to Colin on his inspiring Podcast ‘A quiet Voice’ all about Taichi and Qigong. Listen in and get a flavour for these ancient Chinese traditions.

A new term beginning the first week of September, how quickly the summer went! Looking forward to preparing our bodies,minds and emotions for autumn by concentrating on our lung health in our qigong practice, boosting our immunity and building up our lungs’ resilience to withstand the winter to come. Also during autumn we will be encouraging our body and mind to let go of anything holding us back from leading the life we want to lead.
I am just back from a summer retreat with the Deyin institute in Telford in England. I was honoured to be taught by Faye Yip, a direct descendant of the person responsible for introducing the very popular 24step Yang Taichi form to China. I will continue to train with Faye over the autumn and winter and I am really looking forward to passing on Faye’s wonderful enthusiasm for Taichi to my students studying the 8, 16 and 24 Yang forms. Let the fun begin😊😊

Connemara Qigong & Tai Chi Bringing the healing arts of Qigong & TaiChi to Connemara, Galway City, and Westport. Join us to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

Stillness in Motion Qigong and Taichi Stillness in Motion introduces Qigong and TaiChi to students in Galway city and Westport

New venue, new time and back in Westport town. Looking forward to 6th September.

I took this at our last Qigong class of term. A live heron visiting the beautiful Circle of Life garden sussing out the park’s heron statue - Life meets art!
We start our summer schedule next week with outdoor classes in the Circle of Life garden:
Taichi (11-12midday) and
Qigong (12midday to 1pm) on Mondays(except Bank Holidays) and Tuesdays, weather dependent.
So far we have been really lucky with the weather- long may it continue.

New day, new week, new month, new season. New beginnings. Hello Summer!!

To celebrate World Taichi and Qigong Day this coming Saturday 29th April , we are organising a free Taichi class 10-11am and a free Qigong class 11-12midday in the Circle of Life garden, Salthill. Contact me on 086-8533395 to reserve your place.

Looking up from my picnic blanket, taking a breather after my lunch in Errif woods, beautiful spot just off the Lennane to Westport road

First outdoor class in ‘The Circle of Life’ garden Salthill on Monday morning and we were blessed with the weather- sun hat and sunglasses instead of woollen hat and gloves. Great to get back outside and smell the sea nearby, hear the birds, the waterfall in the garden and the rustle of the leaves in the trees- heavenly.