THE ART OF ABDOMINAL THERAPY
…an integrative approach to healing the core…

A 50-hour multidisciplinary training, interweaving the ancient Taoist practice of Chi Nei Tsang abdominal work with principles and practices of myo fascial energetic release and visceral osteopathy. This course will be a blending of the embodied wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with emergent bio-intelligent practices from the world of somatics and neuro-fascial research.

We will be…
Working with the tools of chi gong, somatic meditation and movement to support us to deepen into a self practice and cultivate stillness, resilience and our own healing presence.

Cultivating listening touch .. how to listen to another body with our hands and whole being and trust the guidance of what we are feeling.

Learning how to engage with the fascia and “fluidbody” system.

Inviting curiosity and play into our practice.

Nurturing ourselves deeply through connection with nature.

Honouring ceremony and prayer.

Building confidence to work with our intuition.

Learning how to circulate chi, using the micro cosmic orbit and the practices that go with it and the impact of the Chinese 5 element system in our lives.

Our training is offered as an immersive residential retreat in the wilds of the south west coast of Ireland. Your learning will be supported by meditation, breathwork, chi gong and guided movement practice to discover deeper levels of core connection, vitality, fluidity, stillness, expansion and healing presence.

WHAT IS THE CORE?

The source of all bio intelligent life rests in the core. As the centre of our physical being, it represents the abdominal cavity where all our vital organs and their dynamic web of interconnections live.
In Taoist philosophy it is considered the reservoir of our life force energy, our Qi, essential for physical health, emotional balance and spiritual well being. We will work with our central axis, an energetic pathway that facilitates Internal Alchemy, connecting a practitioner’s internal energy with the forces of Heaven and Earth.

The core of the body structurally is also the diaphragm, torso , pelvic floor and hips. It is the body’s crucial foundation for stability, movement and balance. Scientists are now calling it the “second brain” or “Enteric Brain” , because of the vast network of neurons lining the gut, that intensely communicate with the Brian via the gut- brain axis. It controls digestion and strongly influences mood, immunity and general well being.

WHAT IS CHI NEI TSANG?

Chi = energy and information. Nei Tsang = visceral or internal organs. Chi Nei Tsang translates into “working the energy and programming the internal organs”. A holistic approach to massage therapy within a Traditional Chinese Medicine paradigm, it integrates a person’s physical, mental and emotional energy. It was developed a long time ago by Chinese Taoist monks in mountain monasteries striving to detoxify, strengthen, and refine the body to carry the energy needed to perform the highest levels of spiritual practices. It continues to be used by spiritual seekers as well as by people who are searching for greater health and well-being. Above all Chi Nei Tsang is the Art of Listening and holding space for others to receive insights on a sub-conscious level that can create transformational healing from within.
Chi Nei Tsang practitioners work mainly on the abdomen with deep, soft, and gentle touch that trains internal organs to work more efficiently. All of the body systems are addressed: digestion, respiration, lymphatic, nervous, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary, and skeleto-muscular as well as the energy system (chi) as commonly used in acupuncture.

WHAT IS VISCERAL OSTEOPATHY?

Utilises gentle, hands-on techniques to release tension and restore blood flow ,mobility and balance to the vital organs of the body and their fascial connections. It is very much aligned with developing the skill of” listening hands “ and supporting the body’s own natural healing mechanisms

WHAT IS MYO FASCIAL ENERGETIC RELEASE?

Myofascial energetic release employs specialised touch techniques focused on the fascial layers of the body to facilitate release on an energetic , emotional and somatic level .This work primarily addresses the holding patterns in the tissues, and the focus is on staying with the experience in the body and using the breath, felt sense and movement to release any long held tension and emotional charge from the body.

WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?

This training is open to anyone with a passion to deepen their own innate body intelligence and capacity to heal. It is a therapeutic touch based training designed for bodyworkers, and we also invite those from non-touch based modalities to experience the wisdom that comes through touch. This includes movement therapists, yoga teachers, space holders, or anyone working with healing modalities, including beginners in this field. Practitioners at all levels will gain valuable tools and perspectives that they can put into immediate use.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

SUSAN KEOGH

Susie is a physiotherapist, myo-fascial therapist, movement educator, pilates and yoga instructor and a life long student of meditation and the Daoist healing arts. She received her professional training in UCD school of physiotherapy graduating in 1993 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree. She has undertaken a considerable amount of training over the years in somatic therapies, breathwork, myofascial release, structural integration and visceral osteopathy. She offers bespoke workshops to introduce people to working hands-on with the body in a fluid and dynamic way. The inspiration for these workshops is rooted in the depth of what she has received through bodywork and a real passion to share this experience. She blends all the wisdom and experience she’s received through her own direct experience and clients responses in over 35 years of working as a bodyworker, as well as all the insights and inspirations drawn from extensive travel and study with incredible teachers and traditions of bodywork.

KERYS WILLIAMS

Kerys has been working with therapeutic touch for more than 20 years now. She started with Thai massage and over the years has become more and more fascinated with the massage work related directly in the abdomen. Having studied a variety of approaches ranging from Chi Nei Tsang and Cranio Sacral, to Osteothai and Mayan abdominal massage, she has been exploring different bellies over the past few years and has fallen in love with this alchemical mixture of shamanism and practical techniques around this area of the body. She has witnessed transformations in people, as they come into a deeper connection with their core center and begin to wake up to their energetic ties to the past, to pain and to unhealthy habits. Her work as a doula has also brought her into a deeper connection with this part of our bodies and her dedication to the path of the sacred woman has led her to practice in a way which sees beyond the physical. She runs women’s retreats, both on and off line, facilitates courses in The Alchemy of Abdominal massage, raises her three children, writes, sings, dances, and connects with the path of the medicine woman and the forces of nature – both internally and externally.

Kerys and Susie met in the Lahu village of Northern Thailand over 20 years ago while studying Thai massage together. A lifelong friendship and deep respect immediately established, sandwiched between belly laughs and sacred tears. It is the first time they will be teaching together, sharing their passion for music, dance, poetry, and healing touch.

SCHEDULE

July 23rd:
4 -7 pm dinner and rest.

July 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th:
7 am – 9 am meditation and morning practice
9 – 10.15 am breakfast
10.15 – 1 pm class time
1 – 3.30 pm lunch and leisure time
4 – 7 pm class
7 – 9 pm dinner
9 – 10 pm evening programme

July 29th
7 – 9 am meditation and morning practice
9 – 10.15 am breakfast
10.15 – 1 pm class time

Departures after lunch

THE VENUE

AN SANCTOIR is a holistic eco-friendly venue tucked away in a secluded setting on a 23-acre natural habitat in the wilds of West Cork, near the coastal village of Ballydehob. It has a fabulous light filled octagonal hall and accommodation on site. The land will be exclusively ours for the retreat, and there will be plenty of time for nature immersion, wandering around the diverse nature trails and nearby swimming in the Atlantic ocean .

GETTING THERE

An sanctoir is an 90 minute drive from cork city . The nearest airport is cork airport , there are public transport options , and a shuttle taxi can also be arranged for people arriving within close proximity to each other.

An Sanctóir, Bawnaknockane, Ballydehob, Co. Cork, P81XF34

ansanctoir.ie