*This course is no longer bookable*
A five-day onsite workshop
Sally Ibbotson
Monday 14th August- Saturday 19th August 2023
Qigong: A Space for Life
Immerse yourself in the ancient practice of Qigong with this five-day onsite workshop led by Sally Ibbotson.
About Qigong
Qigong is a moving meditation and a way of maintaining health and addressing disease. It is a way of moving that works with Nature, according to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and ancient time tested texts/instructions.
If you are looking for a way to be more centred, grounded, connected to and resourced by life and free-er in your movements then this course could be for you.
Immerse yourself with Qigong
Qigong is unique and adaptable practice which allows you to immerse yourself in an ancient practice which has remained unchanged for thousands of years. It will also enable you to view yourself from an elemental point of view and to explore what, in terms of a daily practice, would be good for you as an individual.
Who this workshop is for
If you are looking for a way to be more centred, grounded, connected to and resourced by life and free-er in your movements then this course could be for you.
This course is open to all from complete beginners to experienced practitioners who want to explore Qigong.
Participants 18 years of age and older are welcome.
What you will learn
At the end of this course you will be well informed about the movements of Qigong and the theory behind them. You will be able to self-diagnose according to season and time of day (elemental theory). You will leave with several practices, including a 20-minute movement practice, a self-massage meridian routine, and an internal Qigong form.
Your Experience
- A five-day workshop consisting of group-led activities by Sally Ibbotson
- A five-night peaceful stay at Cluny Hill, situated in the historical town of Forres in north-east Scotland and perfectly placed for visiting the stunning Moray Coast
- Three nutritious, balanced meals per day
- Access to Cluny Hill’s beautiful gardens and local walking trails
- Free bus rides between Cluny and the Findhorn Ecovillage
- Free wifi and library access
- Unlimited coffee, tea, and refreshments
- Free onsite parking
Choose between standard and boutique rooms. All rooms have access to free WiFi. Learn more about Cluny Hill, its location, and directions.
The prices stated below are for the duration of the programme.
Standard Single Room @ Cluny Hill: £1045
Standard Shared Room @ Cluny Hill: £945 / person
Boutique Single Room @ Cluny Hill: £1110
Please enquire about a non-residential option if you have your own accommodation. Call our bookings team +44 (0) 1309 691 653 or contact us with any questions.
We provide you with the essentials, so you won’t really need very much once at Cluny Hill, but we do recommend bringing:
- Toiletries/ Electrical appliances (Hairdryer etc.)
- Loose / comfortable clothing
- Warm clothes (outside of summer time)
- Shoes for walking in the garden or the beautiful local walks
This programme takes place at Cluny Hill in Forres, with registration at 10:30am Monday, 14th August.
Departures
Check out is 10am on Saturday, 19th August.
Cluny Hill is located on the hill above Forres in the county of Moray in north-east Scotland.
Our closest town is Forres (0.7 miles miles/1.1km), which has good bus and rail links. The nearest airports are Inverness (24 miles/38km) and Aberdeen (71 miles/114km).
We recommend taking a taxi (about a 5-minute drive from Forres train station), as there’s no direct bus route.
Alternatively it is 1.4 miles/2.2 km (about 30 minutes on foot) from the station. Head for the High Street, then up St Leonard’s Road (B9010), and then left up Edgehill Road.
If you use a wheelchair or have any other mobility difficulties please let us know when you book. Cluny Hill is a multi-storey building with access to the upper levels via a staircase only.
If you have specific requirements please contact Bookings before you book to ensure we can meet your needs. Please also include details with your booking form.
“I awoke with a headache and soon felt revitalised and healthy! I reached the end of this marvellous day of Qigong with an ineffable sense of calm and profound tiredness – it was the best kind of tiredness – it lead to a deep and peaceful sleep.”
Marianne De Giorgio, October 2022
Your Workshop Leader
Sally Ibbotson
I started my career in Complementary Medicine in 1993, qualifying as a Massage Therapist with the Gerda Boysen Institute and as a Counsellor with the Centre for the Advancement in Counselling.
Seeking depth to my work and more of a spiritual dimension, I studied Shiatsu between the years of 1995 and 2001 and, on qualifying, undertook post-graduate study which resulted in a Teacher qualification in Qigong. Qigong has been taught to undergraduate Shiatsu practitioners as a means of keeping our own energy intact whilst treating clients.
I have studied Qigong under many Teachers and myself taught in the NHS. Specifically, I worked in the Therapies team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London for 6 years, where I taught Qigong as part of our pain management programme. During this time. I studied and qualified with Mark Peters in Birmingham. Mark is responsible for creating a rehabilitation pathway within the NHS, which includes Qigong on site and in the community.
In 2016, I moved into palliative care at St Christopher’s Hospice in South London and set up weekly Qigong classes alongside my Shiatsu clinic there. These attracted both in-patients and out-patients.
Throughout this time, I have been self-employed and running Shiatsu clinics and Qigong classes in the community. Before the Covid 19 pandemic, I also ran an annual 4-day Qigong retreat at Gaunt’s House in Dorset and regular London Workshops. I also offer Qigong and Shiatsu at the Breast Cancer Haven in Fulham, South East London and at Open Age classes, who are funded to address social isolation in the over 50s.
I am a regular attendee of programmes at the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland (and have lived in the Findhorn area for the past few years) and as a result of this self and spiritual development, my current style of Qigong has changed somewhat. I teach from a passion for the Earth and all that she offers us. I incorporate integral imaging and affirmations alongside the traditional movements with the breath.