Thursday, September 6, 2012

spring news 2012


Happy spring to you if you are in the southern hemisphere and happy autumn if you are in the north!  In Perth we are experiencing that beautiful oscillation between sunny days and spring rains, the temperature is warming and the daisies and first sprigs of jasmine are flowering!  Spring is the ritual season for me.  I do 3 things to mark it. 

 

On a sunny day, I find a park with dandelions and make a chain for my hair.  I made one every year for Belle and Dakota when they were young.  As soon as I spot the pink jasmine flowers, I am out picking a few sprigs and filling my house with their delicious scent.  I love the smell of jasmine.  When these 2 things have been done spring is really here for me. Then it's on to the spring detox!  Best season to do a liver and gall bladder cleanse!  If you haven't already received my spring liver cleanse recipe in a previous email, please feel free to request it and I will send it to you directly.

Click here to read about about the Wood Element in Spring.

I have recently returned from our first tour to the US and am thrilled to say Steve and I  had a wonderful time and Wu Tao was received very enthusiastically by our new friends in New York and New Jersey!  Our classes at the Open Centre, a fabulous holistic mecca with cafe and bookstore in Manhattan, were booked out and everyone enjoyed them very much.  It was wonderful to see a room full of smiling relaxed faces! Everyone loved the dances and Steve did a wonderful didgeridu meditation every class which was a treat for all of us. 


Our first class at the Open Centre!

Below is some of the wonderful feedback we received from participants in the class and a link to a sweet blog written by Jennifer who attended our Wu Tao workshop in New Jersey: 


"Hi  Michelle! I wanted to let you know that I truly enjoyed meeting you and Steve in New York.  You have developed an amazing program, and I am thoroughly enjoying my Wu Tao practice. Anna did a fabulous job last week.  She was so sincere and positive - I know you would have been proud.  I am so sad that the class will be ending tomorrow...The dances are delightful, and they make me feel great, focused...energetic...joyful!  What a blessing.  You are doing what you were born to do.  Thank you for sharing"Sincerely, Jean McDonald (Conneticut)

"I was at the Open Centre for Wu Tao's first class. Michelle's compassion, beauty and good energy just flows from her onto us.  She was great! Everyone should take this class!" Sylvia Phillips (NY) 
 

Wu Tao products in the book store!

There's a special story of how we got to the US and I would like to share it with you as it shows how profoundly Spirit is at work in our lives.  Last year Steve and I asked Shri Muniraji (the guru at Herakhan Ashram) to bless Wu Tao and our desire to expanding it internationally.  He nodded, smiled his approval and said in hindi that it was a good thing we were doing.  
A few months later we made contact with some of the very special friends we had met at the ashram.  This resulted in one friend sponsoring us to make the expensive trip to the states and another offering to organise a tour and become the first teacher in NY!  We were also supported by other friends in Florida though we didn't make it there this trip.  

I know in my heart that Shri Muniraj made it possible for us to get there and I am humbly grateful for his divine blessing.  Sadly for us, he left his body only a few short weeks ago.  He is a true saint and showed us how to live.  His last message to his devotees was to do karma yoga (your service to the world), and be happy happy happy.  He told Steve and I to be happy like children and that would keep us young! 

Thank you Shri Muniraji for all your blessings.

I would like to return to the ashram in 2013 and am open to taking anyone who wants to make the journey.  It has been the most powerful spiritual experience of my life at Herakhan and I can't recommend it highly enough for powerful transformation and spiritual growth. Contact me at taodancer@gmail.com if you are interested in going.
Bali Retreats December 2012!


Its been a challenging year for many of us as we move through the influx of experiences that require us to change, grow and heal. Many people have been facing intense challenges ranging from serious illness, job losses, relationship problems, the passing of loved ones, and even their own imminent death.  While it looks rough on the outside and we understand that all is absolutely perfect for our spiritual growth and transformation,  there is still a level of stress that occurs with such powerful movement of energy. 

My remedy?  A retreat in Bali!  We all need time out to integrate, relax, reflect and heal.  Bali is a perfect place to do this and it gives me great pleasure to announce that I will be offering 2 retreats in December 2012 for those who would like a week or two away to integrate their experiences of the past year and prepare for 2013 peacefully and joyfully.  

I would love to meet, dance and share Wu Tao with you in this beautiful tropical country so please register now if you would like to join me! I need to confirm numbers by October 5th so get on to it now if you want to enjoy the retreat!

The Transformation retreat is for individuals. We will learn and practice the 5 core Wu Tao dances as well as the Tao and Surrender Dances, relax, meditate and rejuvenate. 

In our Couples retreat we will be learning and practicing the 5 couples dances for each of the elements and deepen our intimate relationships through exploration and heart felt discussion and sharing.

Second Wu Tao Study shows improvement for people with Dementia!

We are thrilled to release the results for a second Wu Tao study done in 2011 by Debbie Duignan from DBMAS (Dementia Behavioural Management Advisory Services) that shows quality of life improvement and reduction in the symptoms of agitation for people suffering from dementia.  Debbie will be presenting a poster on her findings this week at a health conference in Queensland.  To view her poster in larger format please click on this link and see how Wu Tao is helping older people in our community.

For carers, support workers and health professionals who want to learn a fun and easy way to increase enjoyment and  quality of life for the older person and implement a non-pharmacological method of reducing agitation in clients with dementia and alzheimers disease. Please click here for details.


If you have an older relative who may enjoy Wu Tao or you think the slightly easier movements may suit you better, check out our Wu Tao Wisdom DVD and start your practice at home today!
Wu Tao Instructors are the best!
There are so many wonderful people teaching Wu Tao across the globe now.  I want to take this opportunity to highlight a few instructors and their websites so you can get a feel for how we are collectively transforming the world little by little.  I am very grateful for the effort, dedication and commitment of EVERY SINGLE Wu Tao teacher. All are humbly and lovingly offering their work in service and there is no better job than that!  These are just a few of the gorgeous women teaching Wu Tao right now. Next month I will introduce you to a few more!  To find a teacher in YOUR area go to our main website athttp://www.wutaodance.com

Diana Bonwick: Victoria http://www.wutaoyoga.com

Maki Obakata:  Japan http://wutaomaki.blog.fc2.com/

Joanne Henderson:  New Zealand http://www.kindlingspirit.co.nz/

Lisa Fabry: South Australia www.wutaoadelaide.com


Megan Reffo: Victoria  http://www.idyllheart.com

Lisa Monk: New South Wales  http://www.walkthelabyrinth.com.au

Gabby Toth: Austria http://wutao-gabby.wix.com/wutao

Jessica Heiler: Germany https://www.facebook.com/jessica.heiler

Anna Brooke: New York USA https://www.facebook.com/WuTaoNYC
Instructor Training Spring Special

Our Instructor training course is a program that will change your life.  Not only will you gain the skills to teach Wu Tao within your community, but you will learn how to live your life from a deep connection to your Self and Life.  Wu Tao brings you back into balance with your natural state of inner peace, joy and limitless energy.  Teaching it to others is the greatest gift and joy!  

If you want to start the training this Spring (or autumn for northern hemispherer's!) between September and November I will include in your training the Food as Medicine Course, (worth $600) as my gift to you or if you prefer $300 off the course cost.


The next training intensive will be held in Perth 22 - 28 February at the beautiful Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre.

Here's a moving testimonial from the lovely Lyndall Parsons who completed her training in 2007.  Thanks for sharing your story so eloquently Lyndall x

"Wu Tao came along for me when I had reached a point in my life where I didn't want to live anymore. I had given up on everyone and everything. I had undiagnosed post traumatic stress and severe depression and I decided I had given up.continue reading
Poetry Corner
NOTHING NEW 
Aw, it's nothing new, really
You've been there before and sampled the whisper-weaved warmth
Of the lullaby-laced wraps that cradled you in its fairy-filigreed folds
You've felt your soul-whisperer's caress that covered you in lyric-infused liniment
You've nestled in its folds - the folds of your soul-cloak
You've surrendered to the cupid-couplet strumming of your own soul-harp,
Submitting to a luxurious self-serenaded soak in heart-healing symphony.
So, go ahead
Enfold yourself in your soul-shawl and bask in its god-burnished wisdom
Know that you are the chalice that catches the dust from a distant star
Sup from your own inner stream of cosmic knowledge
And drink deep of new-age, age-old healing in soul-swaddled solitude
Nothing new - you've supped there before
It's the brew that sparks the life-light in your eyes
Beaming infinite radiance to others
So tune in and turn up the volume
The world needs your song.
by Shireen Tripp - Wu Tao Instructor Cronulla NSW
Have a beautiful Month,
much love and healing to you,


Michelle 
Wu Tao Dance
 

Want more peace, balance and energy in your life?



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Friday, June 29, 2012

Wu Tao Winter News June 2012


Dear Friends,

How are you today?  I hope your life is flowing smoothly for you.  I know its not always smooth sailing.  Life brings us a never ending tide of ebbs and flows that at times require us to be a master sailor! A gift no doubt, but often the learning curves can be intense and challenging.  I know I have been in one for the past 12 months and as I look around me I can see many other fellow travellers are also facing master challenges.

I call them master challenges when they involve crisis of some kind.  For me, it was my daughter's transition that made me set sail on a previously unknown path.  I have been communicating regularly and sweetly with Belle over the past months.

Most recently she said, "mummy, from where I am it looks so beautiful on earth!" She showed me a world covered in lights (that's us!). "People everywhere are waking up to who they are! It might look a bit messy for a while, but don't be concerned.  The crises people are experiencing are just the created opportunities to grow and evolve quickly". 

She told me that what we have to do is surrender to the experiences we find ourselves in and we will grow expotentially.  Its all about us remembering WHO WE ARE! As I witness people around me going through challenges, I can see that they are having to delve deep, plunge into themselves and retrieve their inner gold.  This comes in the form of qualities they never knew they had.  Courage, compassion, deep love, forgiveness and joy.  These are the qualities of our true being!  When we find these, we realise how unimportant the 'superficial' world really is! How important it is to be present, love one another and celebrate this life we share.  

So, if crisis appears in your life, don't be afraid. Surrender to it and if you can, be grateful knowing that it has appeared in your world as a vehicle for your growth.  I find the gratitude really helps.  Even when I can't see why I would be grateful! It puts me in a position of openness and trust. 

I have found this phrase from A Course in Miracles helpful. "I do not know my own best interests." My interpretation:  When things look like **** and I can't understand why things are happening, this reminds me to surrender to the SELF that does know, even if I am not consciously aware of it in that moment.

If you are a student of Wu Tao you will know how much it helps the process of trust and surrender to what is.  If you are new to Wu Tao, and haven't yet experienced it for yourself, I encourage you to learn the dances either with a teacher or with the DVD and see how much easier it makes your life journey!  It really works! 

I wonder what your experience of Wu Tao has been?  I hope that it has been a support to you physically and spiritually.  I would love to hear how Wu Tao has impacted on you so I have put together a short feedback survey which I would very much appreciate you taking 2 minutes to complete.  I promise it won't take you longer than that!  Here's the link. Wu Tao Feedback Survey Thank you for your feedback!
New York here we come!

Wu Tao opens in New York City in July! Steve and I will be there for a month offering classes and workshops in New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey!  If you have friends or colleagues in the US please let them know we are coming by sharing this newsletter! If you are in the US and want to join us for a class, check out our schedule at Wu Tao US Tour or visit us at WuTaoNYCFacebook
We can't wait to be sharing Wu Tao with our friends in America and so looking forward to seeing the Big Apple!
Free Stuff
If you want to hear all about Wu Tao from (the horse's mouth so to speak) Here is an interview I did for Global Talk Radio last month. Gives a bit of an overview of what it is and how it works. 

To celebrate our US tour and to thank you for your ongoing support of Wu Tao, I am giving you a free MP3 of the beautiful Tao Dance Music. Click here to download it.  Tao Dance MP3 I know many of you have been waiting for the new CD which will have this music on it along with the stunning Surrender Dance music. While you are waiting for the CD, please enjoy this beautiful track by the very talented Steve Richter. I am sure you will enjoy it. If you know the dance, you will appreciate it for sure!  The music and dances are also on the Surrender to Heart DVD which has the Tao and Surrender Dances along with the advanced versions of the Element Dances. (P.S. the MP3 download will only be available for a  month so download it before it goes offline!).

If you are new to Wu Tao then the Beginners DVD Dancing the Elements may be better suited for you.  You can purchase it here: Wu Tao Beginners DVD
Winter Warmers
Its winter here in Perth and quite lovely to enjoy some rain and wind!  Winter is the ideal time to rest, rejuvenate and dream. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, its the season to nourish the Kidneys. The Kidneys house the Qi, life force energy and its important to build up and tone the Kidneys in Winter.  
If you are on the East Coast and looking to nourish yourself during this time, check out this retreat with Diana Bonwick and Lisa Fabry Wu Tao Winter Retreat

Enjoy this gorgeous Qi Tonifying Chicken Soup
This is a soup I make regularly. You may have even seen it here before! Handed down from my Thai grandmother, it is warming, delicious and very easy to make. Chicken is a tonic for the Kidneys, while the onions, garlic and ginger are warming and pungent, helping to keep colds and viruses at bay. My family calls it, 
Tomato Chicken Rice....
1 whole Chicken, boiled and shredded (boil it until the chicken falls off the bone, in water with 1 onion cut in half, 1 Tbspn grated ginger and some soya sauce.  Keep the stock.  
Heat 2 tbns of olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add 3 tbspns grated ginger, 4 cloves of chopped garlic and 8 spring onions.  Add 1 - 11/2 L of stock (from chicken) or water, 1 can chopped tomatoes, splash of soya sauce or salt to taste and pepper.   Add chicken.   (If you didn't have time to boil a chicken, use 1 kg of diced chicken thighs).  Simmer the soup for 15-20 minutes adding more water if necessary.
Serve the soup over steamed rice.  Add fresh coriander and chilli to serve as desired.

Have a beautiful Month,
much love and healing to you,
Michelle 
Wu Tao Dance
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Thursday, April 19, 2012

"Changing Times Wu Tao April News



Dear friends,

Its nearing Autumn in Australia, though where I am in Perth, its still very warm and perfect for the beach!  No sign of rain, just blue skies and gentle breezes.
My apologies for the lateness of Wu Tao News.  I usually like to get one out to you once a month but life has been moving very fast these past weeks and its only now I have had the time to sit and write to you properly.

2012 has started with a great deal of intensity and challenge and I suspect there is more to come as the energy frequency on the planet changes and we are called to live more authentically and lovingly.  I have noticed that many people (including myself) are undergoing deep transformation both internally and externally through powerful experiences such as illness, loss, and changes in location, jobs, relationships etc.  Wow!  Its big, its beautiful and it takes a great deal of energy to move gracefully through these major upheavals!  

I wonder, what is going on for you in your life?  Are you experiencing a lot of change?  
I believe we are in a wonderful period of evolvement on our planet.  A new world is beckoning strongly to us.  A new version of ourselves maybe?  One that is free, creative, joyful, loving, strong and grounded firmly in trust and surrender to Spirit (Life, God whatever you like to call it).  The intense shedding of our old skins whether we consciously choose it or not, is well underway.  I have no idea where we will end up, but I do have a sense of excitement and anticipation as I witness the changes going on in the world and within myself.  
\
Wu Tao definitely helps in transforming the old. It is a gentle and beautiful way to return home to your Self.  There is no where else to go!  It connects you to the flow of inner energy (Qi) that is the source of all life.  Once you restore this natural flow through the flowing movements of Wu Tao, peace, vitality and joy arise spontaneously! 
Check out the article below by instructor Erica Fletcher and use the seasons as a guide to restore harmony and balance.
Autumn Dreaming by Erica Fletcher
(pic by Sterling Kekoa) 
Autumn is the season that marks the beginning of the year's Yin time, not unlike the waning moon. Yin energy is slow, dark, descending, inwards moving, feminine, nurturing and healing energy. It's the start of the time to invest in your Self, slow down and rest. As important as it is to initiate new beginnings in the Spring and Summer months, it is equally important to recover and grow in spirit during the Autumn and Winter months. Read More
While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance."
~ Hans Bos
New Instructors in 2012
2 weeks ago we held the Instructor 7 Day Intensive at Kookaburra Creek Yoga Centre (WA).  My very favourite place to teach! http://www.kookaburracreek.com

As always it was a powerful and rich learning experience for all who attended.  Congratulations to Shireen (NSW), Marlene (NSW), Bev (QLD), Prabhuta (WA) and Robyn (WA) on completing the course.  Keep your eyes out for these new teachers who will guide you beautifully through a Wu Tao class!  You will find their details on our main website atwww.wutaodance.com shortly.

The picture below is of Marlene Humphrey.  She will be teaching her classes with Shireen in Cronulla NSW. We just love this pic of her reading the Wu Tao book and practising!
Interested in becoming a Wu Tao Instructor? click here for info.Become an Instructor

6 - 12 July Instructor Training in New York!
July will see the start of the first Instructor Training Course to be held in New York City!  We are very excited to be sharing Wu Tao with our American friends! This is a wonderful opportunity to be one of the first people in the US to share this wonderful method of healing body, mind and soul.  If you know someone in the US who would benefit from Wu Tao please pass this information on. Interested in becoming one of the first Wu Tao teachers in the US? Click here! Wu Tao Instructor Training NYC

International Wu Tao
Wu Tao teachers are continuing to spread their wings beyond Australia and can now be found in countries which include New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, UK, South Africa and Germany amongst others.  This link will take you to a listing of our teachers around the world. Wu Tao Instructors  To find out more details about individual instructor's offerings, please go directly to their page. 
What people are saying about Wu Tao 

(At Erica Fletcher's Class in Northern NSW.http://wutaodancing.wordpress.com/)

"I love going to Wu Tao with my Mum because it is very relaxing. I love the music. I love the water dance." Darcy, aged 7

"I look forward to my Wu Tao every week!! It's MY TIME. Wu Tao energises me and really gets my whole body alive. I have taken a while to get all the dances in my memory but now that they are in there, I can flow with the imagery that Erica gives us during each dance and this has taken my experience of each dance to a whole different level. I can forget about what move I have to do next and get lost in the actual dance season and element, which I love and can really visualize. 
When I dance, slowly my body builds up energy as each dance moves through its cycle. I then really enjoy lying on the floor and flowing in the cool water of Erica's river meditation. I go from really hot and pumping to very relaxed and cool in a very short time and this really makes my whole body and mind relax...so much so that I can't get off the floor when we are finished...it's bliss...the ultimate in relaxation I have never experienced before. I always sleep well on Wednesday nights and for a few nights after that too.I really love the feeling of an energised body and a relaxed mind. A juxtaposition that is hard to explain!!" Kate, aged 40+

"I enjoy the Wu Tao music, meditation and company at the classes. My balance has improved dramatically and I feel agile and young again. I have a bad back due to osteoporosis but the movement is helpful. At first, it was challenging to make it all the way through the dances but my fitness slowly improved and now I can keep up the the young ones! Thank you Erica for your inspirational leadership." Dot, aged 70+
April Offerings
Are you experiencing a lot of change in your life at present?  If so, Wu Tao can help you ground and balance while you move through the challenges of embracing your new life.  If you can't find a class close by then one of our DVD's will help you learn and practice at home.  Use the DVD 2 - 3 times a week to really increase your peace and vitality.
To help you in restoring and balancing your energy this month we are offering the following specials: 

Purchase the Ultimate Beginners Package in April and receive a free MP3 of our relaxing 'Deep Peace Meditation'.  This will be sent direct to your email on receiving your order. Click here to buy.

Start ANY home study course in April and receive 6 months free membership to our Wu Tao Transformation site where you can have access to tonnes of video, music and meditations to help you learn the dances and integrate Wu Tao into your life.  (We will sign you up immediately on receiving your order).

Start the Instructor Training Course in April and receive either $300 off your course cost OR the Food as Medicine Ecourse for free.

Wu Tao for Couples
Steve and I are starting a new Wu Tao Couples class on Tuesday April 17th in Fremantle 6.30-8.00pm.  We would LOVE to be dancing with you and your partner! Wu Tao danced with the person you love is fun, intimate and very sweet.  You will also get fit! Call me to book in 0417 989 397 or email taodancer@gmail.com.

Private sessions with Michelle
I am now offering private sessions using Wu Tao dance and deep transformational work for healing, clarity and purposeful alignment.  If you are ready to move forward and live from a creative, authentic place, I am here to serve you.  Call me to book a session 0417 989 397 or email taodancer@gmail.com
Wishing you perfect harmony, perfect beauty and perfect balance.
Lots of love  
Michelle 
Wu Tao Dance
Want more peace, balance and energy in your life?
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