Relax the Body, Calm the Mind & Renew Your Energy
Flow Like a River and Be Still as a Mountain
Conducted by Chief Instructor Brett Wagland & Fontane
April 2021 - dates to be announced
Suitable & beneficial for everyone. No pre-requisite necessary. Everyone is welcome.
The Tai Chi will be taught according to your current level. If you are a beginner, you will be taught separately in the beginner’s group with no experience necessary.
Meditation Hall at SIBA
Taking time out from our busy schedule is necessary for us in order to renew and reconnect ourselves to a more centred and contented state of being. The pressure of modern day society makes it difficult to relax deeply. When we are tired, we feel tense and more volatile emotionally. Giving ourselves permission to retreat from the constant turmoil of modern day life is an important step in taking positive action and creating a space to nurture and nourish the mind, body and spirit.
SIBA is a special place that we have chosen to present a program of moving and sitting meditation that will give us greater freedom of movement and space for our mind and spirit to experience calmness and clarity. This will be an opportunity for you to reclaim your health and well being while enjoying the company of like-minded people in an ideal setting. The delicious organic food and friendly staff at SIBA are second to none. Accommodation is motel style and very comfortable. The tranquillity 
of the location makes it the perfect place to take time out from the stress of the outside world while we explore our inner world. We hope you can join us at SIBA where we will guide you through the process of renewing the mind, body and spirit.
The program we present has two streams. One is based on movement with a meditative quality which helps to integrate the mind and body. This will give you a strong sense of qi or energy flow. The second stream is based on sitting meditation practice which builds awareness of the mind and emotions. It looks directly at our feelings and how we project our thoughts. This enables us to remain calm when facing difficult circumstances in daily life.
The basis for this retreat is the opportunity to practise more deeply in a special environment away from the usual distractions of everyday life. By practising more intensely, you will feel more and understand the requirements of the training. This helps to facilitate a breakthrough in your practice.
Stimulate and Nourish Your Energy
Waking up to clean, crisp air of the Victorian Mountains in peaceful surroundings is a great way to start the day. To top it off, we have Qigong (energy cultivation) in the morning, leaving you energised and calm for the day ahead. During our morning sessions, you will learn the core components from three qigong sets to energise your whole system. The main one is the 5 Pillars of the Wudang Mountains. This set comes from the sacred White Horse Mountain and is an immensely powerful way to start your day. Some of the Eight Golden Treasures and one of the Wudang Five Animals will also be taught. As usual, the peace and calming energy of the morning sessions will pervade your day.
The sages of antiquity would say that if you become skilful at nurturing, moving and regenerating your qi, you can protect your life. If you can protect your life, you can restore your nature. Tai Chi is considered beneficial for your body as well as your nature. The ancient sages said that the ability to protect one’s life and regulate qi flow is the core of a trained body, a cultivated character and a restored nature. In the learning of Tai Chi, the first stage is in remembering the form and laying the foundation, the second stage is in practising the form in a smooth and relaxed way, the third stage is in learning the applications to each movement and the fourth stage is in being able to express internal power (fa jin) and yet keep the form smooth and relaxed.
Tao, the Way
The style of Tai Chi that the Academy teaches is the Hun Yuan system developed by Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang (1928-2012). His teacher, Chen Fa Ke (1887-1957), spread the Chen family Tai Chi to Beijing and eventually, to the outside world. Chen Fa Ke was famous for his martial power, humble character and martial virtue. Another teacher of Grandmaster Feng was Hu Yao Zhen (1879-1973), a famous traditional Chinese medical practitioner, a Taoist master skilled in the art of Xin Yi Chuan (Heart Mind Boxing). Hu became known as the father of modern Qigong in China.
Grandmaster Feng combined the teachings of his two teachers to create the Chen style Xin Yi Hun Yuan Tai Chi system. The characteristics of this system are circular, flowing movements which relax and open the body’s joints and tendons. The movements promote the smooth flow of blood and qi throughout the body.
The principles of the Hun Yuan system are based on these Taoist principles:
- Train the internal as well as the external.
- Focus on stillness while moving.
- Nourish jing (essence), qi (energy) and shen (spirit).
In other words, we learn to conserve energy, not waste it. We train the mind or intention to lead the energy through the body which then guides the Tai Chi movements. In this system, cultivating the gong or internal energy is emphasised from the very beginning. Grandmaster Feng often says, “Without gong, one’s training is only empty forms.”
The Tai Chi will be taught according to your current level. If you are a beginner, you will be taught separately in the beginner’s group with no experience necessary.
** There are 2 sitting meditation sessions each day – morning and evening. In the evenings, Fontane conducts the meditation sessions which are highly instructive and practical. Many of the participants, who have attended several of our retreats, still want to attend these sessions because there is always something new each time. However, some people may want a different learning experience so in the evening, there is an alternative option of doing Push Hands and sampling the Taoist Taiyi Wuxing Quan, a once secret practice of the famous Wudang Abbot Xu Benshan. This form embodies many ancient Taoist principles and philosophy, such as yin yang, wuxing (5 elements) and bagua in its circling, coiling and intricate movements. It is a great set for opening the joints and getting the energy flowing. This form has never been taught in the Academy classes in Canberra. If you would like to experience this Wudang gem, come and try it!
Meditation – the Way to Perfect Satisfaction
Apart from the moving meditation of Tai Chi, Fontane will present an in-depth sitting meditation practice. Meditation allows you to look into the differetn layers of the mind, eventually experiencing an oceanic sense of spaciousness which is our natural state. Another dimension of the meditation is the development of insight into our patterns of reactions to changing circumstances in life. The style of meditation is non-denominational. It focuses on relaxing the body and calming the mind.
In the retreat, the following areas will be covered:
- the causes of frustration brought about by some common meditation techniques
- getting in touch with the natural effortless calm within
- turning daily activities into a practice of meditation
- maintaining a successful meditation routine
- the difference between meditation and mindfulness
Fontane will take you on a journey
of self discovery. Being aware of the rich tapestry of experiences during meditation will enable you to accept yourself and others. This allows you to transform negative situations into positive experiences. The effortless calm you will discover within will become part of your daily life.
One of the unique aspects of this retreat is the combination of sitting meditation with moving meditation. This will enable your body to feel good while you experience a sense of deep relaxation, peace and calm from both practices. The skills learned and insight gained here will serve and inspire you for your whole life. We warmly invite you to experience the awakening and healing for yourself!
Workshop Presenters
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland established the Tai Chi Academy in Canberra in 1982. Brett has over 37 years of teaching experience. Brett’s teachers include Grandmaster Fu Sheng Yuan, a world recognised authority on Yang Style and Grandmaster Feng Zhi Qiang, the founder of the Hun Yuan Tai Chi system, who is known universally for his amazing feats of internal power.
Brett is the creator and presenter of the television series "Let's Get Fit", an innovative exercise program of 65 episodes, based on Tai Chi. This most popular program on Foxtel's Lifestyle channel is the first of its kind in Australia. The series is also broadcast in South America and Europe.
Fontane Ip is the assistant director of the Tai Chi Academy. Fontane specialises in energy cultivation and meditation practices. She has over 29 years of teaching experience in relaxation techniques. Fontane's method of teaching meditation makes it easy to learn. She speaks about significant aspects which are rarely discussed. This knowledge is usually not taught openly. She explains the relevance of this wisdom as it applies to our daily lives. Through her elucidation, she is able to bring people's attention to their own intrinsic nature.
Retreat Venue
SIBA is a purpose built retreat centre ideal for meditation and healing. This 108 acre site is located in the mountains of East Gippsland, Victoria, surrounded by Australian bush. The property grows its own organic vegetables. All meals are prepared and cooked on the premises. Just staying in this peaceful setting for a few days will calm your mind and renew your energy.
Dining Hall at SIBA
Duration of Retreat: September 2020 - dates to be announced
Venue:
SIBA Retreat Centre (formerly known as ONTOS)
2592 Gelantipy Road, W Tree, East Gippsland, VIC
(25kms north of Buchan Caves)
Motel Style En-suite Rooms at SIBA
Cost:
- $720- per person for motel style en-suite shared room (twin share)
- $620- per person for camping site (toilet & shower amenities included)
Shared accommodation, delicious vegetarian meals (much of the food is sourced from the certified organic gardens on site) and Tai Chi and Meditation teachings are included in the above cost. Great value!
The creative cook in SIBA is happy to cater for special dietary requirements (such as gluten free, etc.). Please specify in your booking.
Dining Hall at SIBA
Retreat Schedule
1st Night
6.00pm Dinner
7.30 to 8.45pm Welcome and Introduction - Brett and Fontane
2nd, 3rd & 4th Day
7.00am Qigong
8.30am Breakfast
9.30am to 12noon Meditation and Talk (morning tea at 11am)
12.15pm Lunch
2.30 to 5.30pm Tai Chi Workshop (afternoon tea at 4pm)
5.45pm Dinner
7.15pm to 8.45pm Meditation and Talk (alternative option - Push Hands & Taiyi Wuxing Quan)
Last Day - 5th Day
7.00am Qigong
8.00am Tai Chi
9.30am Breakfast
10.45am Meditation and Talk
12noon Lunch
Bookings are essential as numbers are strictly limited. Book now! Please confirm your booking by paying the full retreat fee or a $220- deposit, with the balance due by date to be announced.
Links
► Reflections on the 2018 Tai Chi & Meditation Retreat
► Reflections on the 2016 Tai Chi & Meditation Retreat
Directions to SIBA
By Car from Canberra:
At Cooma, turn left at the roundabout to Bombala.
After Nimmitabel, turn right to Bombala.
Monaro Hwy A23 – 244km south to Cann River.
Turn right on Princes Hwy A1 110 km to Nowa Nowa.
Turn right at Nowa Nowa, then follow Bruthen Rd 7 km to Buchan turn-off on the right.
After Buchan (29 km), SIBA is 26 km north on the right hand side of Gelantipy Rd.
Tibetan prayer flags at the SIBA entrance.
By Car from Melbourne:
Princes Hwy M1/A1 – 294 km east to Bairnsdale.
Omeo Hwy A195 24 km to Bruthen.
Then follow Nowa Nowa Rd 22km to Buchan turn-off.
After Buchan (29 km), SIBA is 26 km north on the right hand side of Gelantipy Rd.
Tibetan prayer flags at the SIBA entrance.
By Train and Bus from Melbourne:
4 hours from Melbourne by train to Bairnsdale and
2 hours by bus (Mon, Wed, Fri) to W Tree.
Contact SIBA (ph 03 5155 0329) to confirm the bus timetable.
Book Now! Everyone is welcome. Reserve your place by filling out this secure online payment form!
Certified Organic Vegetable Gardens at SIBA
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