Courses 2024

Day Courses are available simultaneously live and online at Horfield Quaker Meeting House 300, Gloucester Rd  Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8PD

Saturday 19th of October

Come and expand MIND, BODY and VOICE with the VAST UK Team -Sound Daoyin, Taijiwuxigong and Singing with Sarah and Jo + Guest Musicians

Day Course with VAST UK- ‘Voice and Somatic Training for All’
This course can be attended both live and live online.
This day course (for ages 16 plus) is suitable for all levels of confidence and ability. Expect a fun, lively and easy-going day, enabling some serious learning. We will support you all the way!
Cost: £70 (£60 for previous attendees)
Please email buqiworks@gmail.com to book or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/…/vast-voice-and-somatic…
and book your tickets online
Embark upon an expansion of mind, body and voice!
Understand and experience the importance of posture and releasing physical tension to improve confidence and voice projection.
Learn how to work effectively with your breathing.
We will be using a powerful combination of Qigong, Sound Daoyin and contemporary singing technique. At the end of the day we will be singing some great songs from a variety of genres, to enjoy the positive effects/results of the day’s exercise.
SOUND DAOYIN
Sound Daoyin is a Chinese system of vocal sounds and breathing techniques to improve health and vocal power. More than 2000 years ago, Daoyin specialists in China were teaching breathing techniques in order to prevent and also to treat illness. Another technique was to use sound. The producing of each sound is linked to one of the five organs. Exercises using the five sounds use sound waves to open the body’s channels and meridians. The sound waves also cause vibration in the organs and tissues, which is beneficial in the treatment of problems in the relevant areas. Different sounds can be used to precisely target specific areas and the organs, wherever there is a malfunction. Good results can often be achieved in a short time. Whilst the Sound Daoyin contains many references to singing, it also applies to all who need to make good use of their voice and can help with many issues regarding loss of voice and problems with voice projection.
COURSE AGENDA
10.15am Short introductory talk followed by Qigong exercises to release tension, establish good posture to support vocal production, and free up the body.
11.15 Refreshments and a chance to ask any questions.
11.35 Sound Daoyin a long established Chinese system of breathing and sound techniques for self-healing.
1.00pm to 2.15pm Lunch with an opportunity to eat together at a nearby venue.
2.30pm: Short meditative exercise to aid digestion and clear the mind, followed by singing technique and warm up exercises.
3.30pm to 3.45pm: Refreshments
3.45pm to 4.30pm: Lively and informal session in which we sing a wide variety of songs from different genres (we will share the playlist with you upon booking). You will be supported by the musicians with voice, piano, guitar, cello and accordion and perhaps a few surprises! For example, Dennison Joseph, from legendary Bristol reggae band Talisman, will be dropping in to end a beautiful day with a couple of reggae songs!
Who are ‘VAST UK’?
Sarah Bartlett is a highly experienced Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor and Buqi Therapist. She has 32 years of Tai Chi training and was a dedicated student of the late lineage holder and internationally renowned Tai Chi Grandmaster Dr Shen Hongxun. Over the past 23 years, Sarah has run her own successful private teaching practice offering courses, retreats and 1:1 therapy. She has also worked for a wide variety of organisations including many years with Bristol Parkinson’s. As a musician, Sarah has sung with Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown’s band), members of Black Roots, Talisman and Jungle Red and with some of the top Jazz and Soul session musicians in Bristol.
Jo Levine is a qualified and experienced Music Therapist and is registered with the Health Professions Council. She has worked with people with a very wide range of complex needs, in the NHS, schools and community settings. Jo has also taught Piano and Piano Accordion for over 25 years, as a freelance tutor in her own studio, in schools, and at Bath University. As a performer, Jo has played Piano Accordion with bands at many festivals and events including Glastonbury and WOMAD, and in music and dance shows supported by Arts Council England.
We will also be joined by guest musician Sophie Barford. Sophie is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, specializing in the piano and cello. She has performed and recorded with a range of artists around the world, mostly notably with Sam Scott, Ant Noel and the Peabody Drakes, Grant Tilly, Matt Mays and many others. In the classical sphere, she’s had solo performances at St. John Smith’s Square and played for many years with the Bristol Symphony Orchestra, on top of work as a session musician and accompanist throughout the South West. Sophie has more than ten years’ of teaching experience and currently sits on the ABRSM examining panel, having worked across much of Asia as an ambassador for the Board. She’s now studying towards a Master’s in Music Therapy and working towards broadening her musical scope – even attempting to learn the jazz saxophone!
We look forward to meeting you!

Saturday 26th October-

TAIJIWUXIGONG -SELF HEALING QIGONG FOR BODY AND MIND

 ATTEND IN PERSON OR ONLINE
BOOKING – email buqiworks@gmail.com for details and if you want to attend online, for the zoom link
NEED TO BRING-Please bring a blanket, a mat and wear loose comfortable clothes. If you do not have a mat, let me know in your email and I will bring one for you
DATES LEFT THIS YEAR
October 26th -Taijiwuxigong
November 30th- Introduction to Taiji 37
Discount for upfront payment for both dates-email for details
TIMES- Saturdays 10.15am- 4.45pm
COST-£70 for a day (£60 for early bird payment), please email for discount and payment details

Taijiwuxigong improves posture, balance, flexibility, spine health, strength, mental clarity, and general physical function. It can also work powerfully to release trauma, and improve emotional well being. Taijiwuxigong brings one eventually into a natural meditation and opens the pathway to latent functions and lineage information.
Can anyone practice Taijiwuxigong?
Taijiwuxigong is accessible to most people except for those with certain serious health conditions. Taijiwuxigong offers standing, sitting and lying down exercises. Exercises can be tailored according to your age, physical ability (or disability) and general state of health (physical, mental and emotional.)

I look forward to meeting new students 
Come and explore Buqi techniques for health on all levels, for mental and emotional healing, clarity and connection..
Change and health benefits can begin immediately As we refine our physical, energetic and mental information and also learn how to be both receptive to and to utilize external forces more effectively, we can begin to understand ourselves as incredibly subtle and powerful information systems receiving and transmitting highly refined information moment to moment. Through this practice we seek to bring into balance all the dynamics available to us. In addition to improved well being on all levels,, we can experience times of deep internal peace, enabling us to be receptive to a wider scope of information, enhancing our understanding of ourselves, of others and of our experiences. We face many challenges as human beings.  Buqi study can be a great support and an agency for change – a practice of great wisdom, unlimited in possibility, as are we!
Buqi practice explores all the developments of the art of Tai chi, (with particular focus on its development for self healing and healing of others and can help with many human concerns). Physically and emotionally we can use the techniques to help us find balance and healing, encouraging us to treat ourselves and all life with humour, kindness and grace….Intention is important.

Wishing you all a wonderful Year of the Dragon!

Kind Regards Sarah B