Celebrate your Self! - Wu Tao News Dec 2010

Hi {!firstname},

Today is the 1st December and we are heading into the last month of the year!  What a year its been! I hope you have been able to follow the flow of your spirit and all is well in your world. In the southern hemsiphere we are now in Summer which corresponds to the element of Fire in Chinese Medicine.  

(If you are reading this from the northern hemisphere, you will be in Winter and in the Water Element!  Follow this link to read more about how to Nourish yourself in Winter)

Fire is the transformer and purifier.  It can burn away anything that blocks the flow of love.  The organ that corresponds to the Fire element is the Heart (of course) and this season is the perfect time to open and share love, (which is what we really are), with others.  

Last week I heard a beautiful quote (from a Course In Miracles) that captured this.  "My only purpose is to extend love".  Beautiful hey?  When I reflected on it, I realised that whenever I was not extending love, my heart was closed at some level.  

Fear of being judged, prior hurts, anger at others.  All these 'burdens' hold me back from resting in my true nature and radiating love.  

This season is the perfect opportunity to shed the burdens of our hearts.  

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A Gift for You

My Christmas gift to you is a short meditation process to help you purify your heart from the things that stop you extending your love to others and yourself. (I've done it myself and it works).

So here it is:  

• First, find a quiet space for yourself where you can relax without interruption for 1/2 hour.
• Get some coloured pencils or textas and paper to draw/write on.
• Put on some of your favourite relaxing music.
• Sit comfortably and take some deep breaths, letting go of all tension in your body and mind as you exhale.

• Now ask yourself these questions:

• What burdens am I carrying around in my heart?

• Draw/write whatever comes to mind

• How does this stop me extending and radiating love?

• Draw/write whatever comes to mind

• What will happen to me if I release these burdens?

• Draw/write whatever comes to your mind

• Am I willing to let go of these burdens now?

• Draw/write whatever comes to mind

• Once you have answered these questions by drawing or writing, do the Wu Tao Fire Dance, brushing off the burdens you have discovered into the Fire.

• If you haven't yet learned the Fire Dance, put on some music that makes you feel joyful.  Imagine there is a big fire in front of you and spontaneously dance out your burdens, allowing the Fire to transform these for you.  

• When you are finished the dance, sit quietly for a few minutes taking your breath into your heart. Feel how much easier it is to feel your Self and how natural it is to radiate love now your Heart is relieved of what it was carrying around.

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Wu Tao Course Now available on DailyOm!

Recently I created a short Wu Tao course for the website DailyOm. Its now live on their site and I have to say its a very easy and cost effective way to learn Wu Tao. This is a great opportunity to learn the basics if you haven't been able to get to a class yet. Check it out here

http://tinyurl.com/wutaodailyom

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Free Class for Perth Peeps!

Another great opportunity for you to experience Wu Tao!  I am giving a free class on the Esplanade Park (right opp Esplanade Train Station Perth) as part of the 12 Days of Fitness Challenge (http://www.lululemon.com/perth/perthcity)

 on Wednesday December 15th

 at 6.00 -7.00pm.  

Come along, say hello!  I would love to meet you and dance with you!  It will be a lovely class learning the Fire Dance and celebrating the beginning of the Christmas season in real Joy! Everyone is welcome!

 

Are you looking to find a new career in health and wellness?  If you are AND you love to dance and work with people, Wu Tao may be the perfect new career for you.

Wu Tao Dance offers people the opportunity to nurture themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually, restoring health on every level.  Teaching Wu Tao is an incredibly enjoyable way to support people on their life journey and transform yourself at the same time. 

 

If you want to deepen into your own spiritual dance practice and be of service to the world, you won't want to miss out on our Wu Tao Instructor Training Program.  I have personally been given so many gifts from teaching Wu Tao.  It has become my spiritual path and the way for me to give back to the world.  I can highly recommend it as a career!

So, this month (it is Christmas after all!)  is the LAST chance to get the specials that I offered back in October. You can receive the Food as Medicine Ecourse for free ($600 value) OR get $300 off the the Full Instructor Course training.  

Click here for more details and email or call me if you want to take advantage of this offer.

http://www.wutaodance.com/dance-teacher-training

I would love to be sharing this healing path with you!

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Teacher Profile

The pictures below are of one of our lovely Wu Tao Instructors in Melbourne Miranda Brett.  Miranda teaches in Cheltenham. You can find all the details about Miranda's classes and workshops on her website http://www.path-to-stillness.com or call her on 0405 780 498.

 

Here, Miranda is doing the Makko Ho Stretches for the Fire Element and its corresponding meridian channels. 

Why not commit yourself to doing them everyday for a few weeks and feel the benefits for your Self?

 

Heart and Small Intestine

 

 

Heart Constrictor and Triple Heater

 

 

Have a fantastically joyful Christmas with your family and friends and I look forward to sharing more Wu Tao with you in 2011!

Blessings and much love from all at Wu Tao

Michelle Locke

Wu Tao Dance

Wu Tao Specials Extended!

Hi!

I have just got home from teaching Wu Tao in Melbourne to a new group of Instructors AND spending time teaching the new Surrender Dance to a gorgeous group of teachers.  It was a great week and I have come back feeling energised (from a week of dancing every day) and inspired!

I meant to send you a reminder earlier in case you were wanting to take up one of our 'special october offers', but I got caught up in my other job, mothering! Sorry about that!

 So I will extend the specials for another week until the 7th November.

Here's the link to the page with details again. 

Anniversary offers for you.

Feel free to email me if you need more information.

Oh and if you want to do the Wu Tao Couples retreat in Bali you had better be quick! There is only 1 spot left! 

Wu Tao Couples Retreat Bali

Blessings and much love

Michelle

PS.  Some of the beautiful messages I got during the week!

"What a great week this has been! Wu Tao has given me so much peace and good health. I can't wait to see where it takes me" 

"Thankyou. For creating and supporting such incredible beauty.  I have loved this week"

"I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful day yesterday.  I truly feel so blessed to have you and Wu Tao in my life.  I came away yesterday, knowing in my heart that without Wu Tao and without dance in my life I am not myself.."

Blessings and much love

Michelle

Happy Birthday Wu Tao!

Hi everyone,  This month I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has ever taught, participated, listened, played and most importantly, danced Wu Tao! This month October 2010 is the 10th anniversary of Wu Tao!  I started my first class of Wu Tao in a beautiful hall overlooking the Perth Swan River at 6.00am.  How Wu Tao began is a long story but a good one.  If you want to hear it let me know and I will find a way to share it with you!  (The picture above is of my partner Steve - who composes all the music for Wu Tao - and I, at the Dockers Doig Medal Ball.  We had fun!) I have been very blessed to have been given the purpose of bringing Wu Tao into the world.  It has been a gift and a teacher to me.  I have experienced firsthand the benefits of the dances and the processes we use in Wu Tao.  They are powerful and transformative and have taken me to the depths of my Self and connected me in the deepest way with Life and Spirit.  Nothing has brought me so much joy as dancing and sharing Wu Tao. I really want to thank all the Instructors for their dedication and commitment not only for teaching Wu Tao and building the business, but to their own personal growth and spiritual development.  Wu Tao is so much more than a dance program, it's a spiritual pathway and the beautiful people teaching Wu Tao know that more than anyone. All the teachers embody compassion and wisdom in their own unique way and are a wonderful source of guidance and strength. I speak for myself, but every class, workshop, performance and business event I do for Wu Tao turns into a deep spiritual learning.  I have had to grow up, change, heal, expand and develop parts of myself I would rather have overlooked.  More than anything I have been challenged to do things in a different way, a way that is more flowing, balanced and Yin.  This often goes against the ways of the world and my old ways of doing things, but it has brought me so much joy, energy and inner peace. Nicky Castle, one of our very first Instructors and trainers shared this with me earlier this week.  Nicky is a powerhouse of energy and wisdom. I am so grateful for you Nicky and for what you have given to Wu Tao.  Dear Michelle, I can only begin to express the incredible gratitude that I have for you and Wu Tao Dance.  I am honestly not sure if I would still be here on this earth if I had not found my way to you 8 years ago.  I was so filled with grief and manically out of balance - there is no possible way that I could have continued in that way without manifesting some awful physical dis-ease.  Wu Tao the Dancing Way gifted me with the remembrance and knowledge of who I truly am and the peace that comes hand in hand with that remembrance. Life is a continual journey of mountains and valleys and Wu Tao is there with me each and every step of the way, always when I need it the most to gently remind me .....I am loved, I am supported, I am connected to all of Life. Blessings, Nicky Castle To Wu Tao instructors everywhere, I love and appreciate you so much.  Thank you for sharing the journey.  You are the ones that make Wu Tao what it is today.

Anniversary Gifts for You! To mark this special occasion of our 10th anniversary, I have some extra special offers that I hope you will take advantage of, if you deeply desire to create more beauty, balance and harmony in your life. Instructor Training Course Special  Enrol for the Instructor Training Course in October and receive theFood as Medicine Ecourse for free ($600 value) OR if you prefer, get $300 off the full Instructor Course cost. (You choose your special offer) The Food as Medicine home study course is one of our most popular courses.  It gives you a thorough grounding in Chinese Medicine and nutrition and will give you the skills to treat yourself, your family and clients with healing foods and dietary advice.  Click here for detailed information. PS.   If you love to dance and help others, and you want to be fit, healthy and balanced inside and out, this course is for you! Not quite ready to embark on a new career but want to delve deeply into Wu Tao?  Begin your study of Wu Tao and related programs at home!  Special! Start any of our stand alone Home Study courses (some of which can be accredited towards the Instructor Training and get a massive 30% of the cost of the course!  Yep, that means that a course that usually costs $600 you can get for $420 in October.  (gst excluded). The home study courses we are currently offering are:   Course in Transformation (This course WILL definitely change your Life) Food as Medicine (Build your nutritional expertise and become a great cook at the same time) Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (All the basics to help you understand and integrate this ancient and powerful healing system into your daily life) Stretch and Relax Certificate Course (Do the course and you can teach this simple class to anyone who needs it) Click here to purchase at these special prices If you are just starting out on your Wu Tao journey and want to begin experiencing the maximum benefits of Wu Tao for yourself, here is my lastspecial gift. Purchase the Ultimate DVD package and I will send you the 'Living your Divine Purpose' seminar that I held on-line earlier this week for free. (That's if you didn't get to join in then).  Next month it will cost $27 to download.    Make sure you follow this link to get the specials. All these specials are my gift to you, but they are only available until the end of October, so don't delay in getting started.  Next month the anniversary is over and it will be back to business as usual.

Living your Sacred Purpose Webinar was a great success thanks to you!

Thanks to all those people who attended my first webinar event "Living your Sacred Purpose!  I really appreciated you all showing up! Thanks for your encouraging feedback and comments as well. I had fun and I hope you enjoyed it too. I look forward to sharing more with you in the very near future. Here's one of the many beautiful emails I received. (Thanks Barb!)

Hi Michelle,

I just finished listening to and working through the replay of the webinar and wanted to let you know that I loved it!   On a personal level, the topics you covered remain so meaningful for me and bring fresh insight every time I hear you speak of them. I've been struggling a bit lately, and know that your words of wisdom will help me find some focus.

I think the webinar was a wonderful way to bring attention to the emotional and spiritual aspects of Wu Tao - the aspects that are so powerful and make Wu Tao so unique - not just another fitness program.

For you, I once again applaud your courage in finding ways to reach out and share your inner thoughts, passion and wisdom...I hope you will plan more webinars in the future. 

Barb (WA)

(PS If you missed the webinar and would like to listen to it,  the podcast will be available in the very near future.  Stay Tuned!)

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Special Events!

Wu Tao Couples Retreat Bali 3-9 December 2010

We still have a couple of places left in the Couples Retreat in Bali!  Are you sureyou don't need a week with your beloved, away from the children, enjoying each other, connecting deeply and getting yourselves fit and balanced at the same time?  

I know its December and things are starting to get busy, but you know what?  Your relationship with your partner is precious gold and deserves to be nourished!

Steve and I are so looking forward to this retreat!  We get to hang out with each other, dance, play and have fun with other gorgeous couples!  It doesnt get any better than this for us.

Click this link to join us!

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Sondra Ray in Perth 25-29 November

Liberation Breathing Training.

Sondra Ray and her husband Mark Sullivan are back in Australia for another amazing week of breathwork training.  We have been going to India with this couple for the past 3 years and they are of the highest calibre and truly inspiring teachers.  If you want to change the limited thought patterns that run your life, I can highly recommend working with Sondra.  Click here for more details. 

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Tomorrow I am off to teach a new group of trainee instructors in Melbourne at a 7 day training intensive.  I am so looking forward to feeling the bliss that comes from dancing everyday. I hope you get to enjoy dancing this month too!

Have a fantastic month.

Michelle Locke

Wu Tao Dance x x

Are you Ready to Start Living your Sacred Purpose?

Hi everyone,

To prepare yourself for the webinar, it would be wonderful if you could take a few minutes to ask yourself the following question and jot down the answer:

Q. What am I absolutely passionate about?

EVENT: Living your Sacred Purpose Webinar
Time : Monday 11th October 6pm Perth Time Australia

Listening Method : Attend via Phone or Webcast -- it's your choice).

To attend, visit :
http://AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=15156066

For all other time zones please use the time zone converter at
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

(You can listen in for 48 hours after the call via this link above, if you can't make it live at 6pm!)

I've learnt a few more things that will make it easy for you to join the call. If you want to call in on the phone, the easiest way is to purchase an international phone card. It costs a couple of dollars for an hour.

Phone number to dial from Australia:
0011 1 918 8770147
Then enter conference no: 978814#

When you register you will get access to the webinar for 48 hours so you can listen to it again. This will make it easy to take notes after the event and put into practice what you have learned.

If you have questions you would like answered at the webinar write them down prior to it starting.

I am really looking forward to meeting you in cyberspace!

Blessings!

Michelle Locke
Wu Tao Dance

PS. If the link doesn't work for you, try cutting and pasting the link into your web browser. That should do it!

Challenge your Self in Spring

Hi there,

Michelle here. Spring has arrived in Australia and this means it's TIME to put into action the plans and dreams we made through winter!

A lot of people talk about getting on purpose and living their dreams, but how many people do something about that?

Are you one of those people who keep putting it off and never feel satisfied with your life?

Many people ask me how I manage to run my Wu Tao company, take care of my special needs daughter and stay happy and focused. Well, I have a process I follow and it's been working extremely well for me for the past 15 years. I have created a life that reflects my deepest soul purpose and it's a real joy to be living an authentic, creative and fulfilling life.

Do you feel on purpose in your life?

Are you ready to put your thoughts into action, stop procrastinating and find out exactly what YOUR sacred purpose is?

Here's a Spring Challenge!

Put your dreams into action and make your sacred purpose real. No more excuses! Being on purpose makes everything else in your life, so much more effortless. So, if you are tired of waiting, I want to support you in getting there.

This is my gift to you, as part of Wu Tao's 10th Anniversary Celebrations.

Please join me in my very first free WEBINAR course "Living your Sacred Purpose" to be held on 11th October 2010 where you will learn exactly what YOUR sacred life purpose is AND how to live it in your life now. Mark it in your calendar now.

In this webinar, you will:
Find out exactly what you are meant to be doing in your life NOW.
Learn how to access your Qi energy so you can use it to create what you want.
Discover what your deepest soul purpose is for this lifetime.
Learn a simple formula that will help you to restore balance quickly and easily

I will be in touch again soon with more details of how to register. Remember, this is a free gift as part of our anniversary celebrations, and there are only limited places. After that, the course will still be available, but at our regular price of $27.00. So make sure you look out for the next email, and register early!

I hope to be meeting you in cyberspace soon!

Warmest regards

Michelle Locke
Wu Tao Dance

PS. When you are on purpose, doors of opportunity open everywhere. What you learn at this seminar will benefit you for years to come.

PPS. If this is your first webinar, let me say from my own experience its easy to sign on and lots of fun to participate! All you have to do is follow the instructions and you will end up at in the right place. I promise!

Follow your Inner Dancer - Quote of the Day!

Three Ways to stay Inspired and on Purpose

I was inspired to write this after a number of my students wrote in or called me to share their gratitude for what they were receiving from Wu Tao. I will share their expressions with you later, but it made me think about what it takes for me to stay inspired and on track in my life. Its easy to get discouraged when things don’t seem to be going my way, or at least the way I think they should be going! I definitely need to stay inspired to keep on track with my work. So after sitting with this question I came up with these 3 ways that I find useful in keeping me focused and inspired!


Spend time in nature. Make time as often as possible (I try to sit in the garden every day) to be in nature. That might mean your garden, a park or the beach. Make a conscious intention to open and receive. Maybe you want to sit with your eyes closed, or perhaps walking and breathing works better for you. Whatever way, be open and allow nature to speak to you. No effort is required, in fact, no effort is the way! It really is a matter of simply being open, appreciating the beauty of nature and receiving her blessings. I often receive great inspiration from sitting in the garden. I even ask questions and the answers come, sometimes as words, sometimes in the message of a creature or a plant. The tree below is one I visit whenever I need her inspiration!

Appreciate people. Take a good look at all the amazing people you have in your life. Reflect on what they bring to your world. Then expand your view further and look into the world to see how many incredible people are out there doing great things! I am inspired daily by other people! Close to home, my daughters are my greatest inspiration. My youngest Isabelle who has Rett Syndrome is the perfect example of how to live even with great adversity. She embodies patience, joy, tolerance and peace. My oldest Dakota, shows me just how perfect life can evolve when given space to grow. She is graceful, compassionate, strong and knows the meaning of service. She gives generously of her time and energy to her sister and all who need her. This past week Isabelle has been in hospital with severe pneumonia. Dakota has spent all her free time with her, bringing home made food, doing her hair and in total service to her sister. What teachers these girls are for me!

Nurture yourself with good nutrition and exercise. Our physical condition affects our emotional and mental state. If your body is not healthy and energised, you will be more prone to imbalances in all areas, so make sure you are looking after yourself with good food and pure water. What works for me are fresh vegetables from the garden, prepared with love and creative flair! If you can’t grow your own, choose organic when you can. And of course we need to move the body to keep it strong and flexible and the energy moving. Wu Tao is my answer for the perfect way to exercise (you already know that!), but whatever feels right for YOU is the best way to exercise.

So that’s my three ways. Here are a couple of the emails I received last week. Thanks to the women who sent them to me. Very inspiring!

Have a great month,

Michelle

PS.  If you haven't yet incorporated Wu Tao into your life but are ready for some serious inspiration and focus, get started with our Ultimate Beginners Course, check out our home study packages or find a teacher close to you

Dear Michelle,
Today I was pleasantly surprised to find myself happy. I’m not normally happy and calm at work but today I was laughing and taking time out to joke with colleagues. And I attribute much of the cause to be Wu Tao. On Tuesday I applied for a new job. My mind started racing, trying to guess how it will turn out and analysing all of the possible scenarios. I learn more about the position and then have to decide if I really want to go for it or not. They want an immediate start which I don’t want to do as it is unfair to my current employer and besides, I had unfinished work. So I struggle wondering if I have done the right thing applying for the job at all but my usual support friends and family are unavailable so I have to work it out myself. I have a little cry, feeling sorry for myself then decide I have to be responsible for myself and how my life turns out. And then I turn to Wu Tao. With the inspiration of your story Michelle, and that of other students and teachers, I decided to trust Wu Tao. I danced every day for the next 3 days, sometimes twice a day and in amidst of my stress and uncertainty, I feel happy. I feel like I’m in a calm centre with chaos ensuing all around. What a miracle! Thank you Michelle for Wu Tao. 

Erica Fletcher (Melbourne Victoria)

Hi Michelle,

My name is Toni Madigan and I purchased a kit of Book CD and Dance DVD. I have had it now for about 4 weeks and I love the feelings I get from each dance.
I love feeling the music within me and the light peaceful place of joyful balance when I am finished. I give thanks every time to you and all involved in bringing this beautiful form of cleansing, grounding and revitalisiing to our entire beings. Thankyou!

I read your book (or parts of) most days....do the stretches every morning as part of my daily routine and find the whole thing just fits perfectly with where I am now and my continued plan of spiritual growth.

I would love to become a teacher at some stage in the future so I can share this with others. I look forward to every newsletter that sheds a little more light on the different aspects of Wu Tao.

On Tuesday when I did the dance video it came to me that I should visualise the brushing away of all that no longer serves me when brushing down the arms. It felt very natural and the obvious thing to do and here you are telling us that’s what it is intended to be....amazing how things work out isnt it?

Thankyou again for sharing your creative gifts

Toni Madigan (Western Australia)