

During the pandemic I created some home help videos to assist with common problems like anxiety, insomnia, lower back ache etc. Have a look – there could be something there to help you!
Baguazhang (also spelled Pa Kua Chang) is one of the most graceful and effective of the Chinese martial arts. With its fast circular walking and continuous, coiling, turning, twisting movements, Bauazhang has been likened to a spinning energy ball, a fan or a tornado…also to the waist of a dragon, ever turning and twisting. Baguazhang practitioners can attack or defend while rapidly walking or turning.
Like the two other main styles of “Internal” Martial Arts – Tai Chi Chuan and Xing Yi Quan – Ba Gua Zhang is an integrated mind-body art that uses powerful wave-like whole body dynamics and continuous, circular techniques based on Yin-yang principles of flow and balance.
Benefits include surprisingly effective self-defence capabilities, aerobic training, improved breathing and coordination, increased flexibility and whole body speed and internal energy skills (Qigong). Since it is based on the same principles as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), its training can be as beneficial for internal health as for martial prowess.
Session at: Gosforth Parish Church Hall, Wardle St NE3 1AN. Parking available.
Date: 14th June 2019
Time: 1 – 4pm
Cost: £45
To Book: Call Dominic Cleary FwSS on 07766014912,
email. dominic.cleary@gmail.com.
Suitable for: Anyone interested in Martial Arts – beginners and those with some experience. Donna’s biography is here: www.torontotaichimeditationcentre.com/new/team-view/donna-oliver
© 2019 Shiatsu, Tai Chi & Qigong /
3 Fife Terrace Blackhall Mill, Tyne & Wear, NE17 7TE.
Students enjoyed a mixed schedule of classes, opportunities for trips to local venues and great company and good food. The course was set in the peace of the Umbrian countryside just south of Perugia.
I have been receiving shiatsu from Dominic for many years now as well as participating in his Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes. I have found this support from him truly life changing and it has affected my life in many positive ways, both personally and professionally as a psychotherapist/counsellor. I have a connected and caring relationship with my body now and I have much more understanding of the profound wisdom of my body, both from an embodied learning by experience and from learning the philosophy behind the work that Dominic does. Dominic is hugely devoted to helping others in his work and is a gifted teacher. Having been supported by him for a long period of time, I know he engages in continuous learning and I can see how his work has developed over time so he can support others in the best possible way he can. I feel strongly about the healing power of the work he does and have recommended him to many people who could benefit greatly from this type of support.
Tania Davies
When I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer my immediate reactions were, I imagine, similar to most peoples’, that is a mixture of shock, hopelessness, and resignation. I imagined my body’s defences to be puny and inadequate against it, and the treatment to be harsh, not very effective, and often worse than the disease itself.
After quite a long period of very low spirits, and three courses of ineffective chemotherapy, I went to the Bristol Centre and took part in one of their five-day retreats. That was the beginning of my seeing things through different eyes, and making up my mind that I was going to take some control back and make a more positive contribution to my own recovery. After a good deal of reading and exploration, I decided on a package that I thought would be best for me and that included shiatsu. This was to be the therapy of my choice that would complement chemotherapy. I did not at any time wish to abandon conventional medicine and indeed have had a fourth series of infusions since.
I had not actually experienced shiatsu before contacting Dominic, so I cannot say what drew me to this particular practice. I think, however, that when one is genuinely and deeply seeking what is best for one as an individual, from a physical, mental and spiritual point of view, some sort of intuition or inner wisdom takes over. Dominic was recommended to me by my herbalist, to whom I happened to mention I was thinking about shiatsu. I had no idea what to expect or what was involved, and so I went into my first session on trust. I did not have any particular expectations or requirements.
I think it would be true to say of most therapies that one session is probably not enough to be able to form any conclusion as to whether it is going to be beneficial or not. I expect it will vary from person to person, but I would think that two or three sessions of shiatsu or ‘settling in period’ might be required. I would also think it would not be the choice of anybody, who for whatever reason, is uncomfortable with being touched, as it is a very ‘hands on’ therapy. I also think it would be very important to find a practitioner with whom one can communicate or feel there is some rapport. A situation of trust definitely needs to exist.
I think what I get from shiatsu is, above all, a sense of being brought back into balance. This carries with it a sense of peace, calm, and confidence in what one is trying to achieve, that is a return to full health. The overall effect is a remarkable sort of double state or contradiction in terms – a quiet tranquility, coupled with a huge surge of energy, and a feeling of exhilaration and being invigorated. I feel more relaxed physically, reassured emotionally, and enlightened spiritually.
As my tumours are near to my Liver and my Kidneys, I ask Dominic to concentrate on boosting and strengthening the function of these organs. Also I ask him to help with keeping my energy levels high, as this is vital to boost the function of my immune system to maintain the destruction of cancer cells. At my last scan, in May, my tumours were shrinking.
I don’t imagine shiatsu will be for everybody, each person has to devise their own package of therapies and decide what suits them best. However, I am convinced I have made the right decision to include shiatsu in my regimen.
From a shiatsu patient who has cancer