"Shine your Light" Wu Tao December 2011

Dear friends,

Blessings and warm wishes for the forthcoming festive season.  Here in Western Australia, the weather is heating up, the ground is drying and already it feels like summer!  Its been a busy and special few months for me.  I continue to move through the grief of my daughter Belle's recent transition but joy is present as well now, which is a welcome relief.  She is happy and very much alive.   My spiritual practice has become very important as I work to surrender myself to the place where all is well.  Wu Tao is part of my practice.

I spent the best part of October on an Australian Wu Tao tour ending with a powerful instructor training in Mornington Victoria.  I have felt so blessed and grateful for the love coming my way over the past months, especially from everyone in the Wu Tao community, that I simply had to make a trip and thank everyone.  If you dance Wu Tao at a class with one of our lovely instructors, you will know how gorgeous and amazing they are!  Instructors and students alike, the Wu Tao community is full of beautiful, sweet and precious human beings.  

Wu Tao Spring Ceremony

The Wu Tao ceremony for Spring was held in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, celebrating new life and dancing the renewed and healed world into being.  The energy at all ceremonies was powerful and vibrant.  

With a focused intention, we danced together, sending healing ripples into the world and creating positive change.  I am reminded of this song:  "From little things big things grow" and I firmly believe that good things will flow from the energies we generated. To all those who attended, thank you for your healing presence.  It was truly lovely to meet you and dance with you.

The next ceremony will be celebrating Summer and the Element of Fire and the time of transformation and purification.

Click here to find out where and when you can join a ceremony close to you.

Summer Ceremonies

---

Instructor Enhancement Days

In Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne we also had our annual Instructor Enhancement Days. It is always a joy to be with the amazing beautiful people who teach Wu Tao, dancing and learning together.  I am grateful and blessed to be part of such a special community.  Thanks to all the wonderful instructors who lovingly support all our students not just in Australia, but also in New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Brazil and Austria! Next year we will also have instructors in the UK, US and South Africa! Yes, the Wu Tao tree is spreading its branches far and wide.

---

Instructor Training

My trip culminated in the 7 day Instructor Training Intensive which was held at the first purposely built Wu Tao studio, in Mount Martha (close to Mornington Peninsula) and home to Diana Bonwick and her family.  What a perfect environment in which to study and learn Wu Tao!  We were surrounded by nature, birds, horses and trees, with perfect weather blessing us every day. Congratulations to Lisa, Maria, Bev, Shireen, Lisa and Jane on the successful completion of the course! Thanks to Diana for looking after us so well and organising the delicious Indian food we ate daily.  

"What an amazing week!  Dancing daily with six of our truly beautiful Wu Tao family, under Michelle's caring guidance, was blissful.  It hardly seemed like we were studying and preparing for examination!  The intensive was challenging, joyful and healing combined. What a great honour to be able to teach Wu Tao and share its great depth.  Thank you Life & Michelle!". (Jane Southwell)

In 2012, we will be holding the first Training intensive in Bali!  Start your course in 2012 and complete it on this beautiful tropical island!  For information about our Instructor Training Courses for 2012 click here.  

Christmas Training Specials

Enrol in any of our training programs in December or January and receive special bonus gifts from us.  Click here for details.

---

Wu Tao Bali Retreats in 2012!

For some time now I have been fantasizing about taking people to Bali for Wu Tao.  I have always found Bali to be especially healing and relaxing. 
Bali is a deeply spiritual place. For a start, the Balinese people live their faith daily.  They live in constant respect and contact with Spirit through their Hindu ceremony and rituals and are very open, warm and friendly.  The whole island feels very feminine and heart oriented. 

I have been researching on the internet looking to find the perfect place to host Wu Tao retreats.  I was referred to one and on my enquiry, an email came back with the address, BelleButterfly!  What a synchronicity!  I took this to indicate that I was on the right path with my dreaming about Bali.

Things have been moving quickly with us being offered the opportunity to lease a retreat centre in Ubud for a year.  Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if all goes well, Steve and I could be in Bali very soon offering Wu Tao Dance training,  retreats, music retreats, workshops and classes!  It could well be the perfect next step for us and Wu Tao.  If we do get to Bali our place will be open to you and we hope you will join us for a relaxing and healing time at our new retreat centre.  I will keep posted with updates!

---

Wu Tao Gifts for Christmas?

Its not too late to order Wu Tao DVD's, music and books for your family and friends for Christmas!  If you place an order this week, you should receive your order before Christmas day if you are in Australia, but don't delay!  The new Advanced DVD, Wu Tao Wisdom DVD and Wu Tao for Couples DVD are now available. Go to Our Shop page to place your Christmas order today.

---

Sondra Ray in Perth December 2011
Our dear friends Sondra Ray and Mark Sullivan will be in Perth next week offering their very powerful Loving Relationships Training as well as private sessions.  I highly recommend their work to cut through the ego dross and lift yourself to new levels of consciousness.  

Click here for all the details or contact either myself 0417989397 or Steve 0429197710 email richsound1@gmail.com

---

Coming home to Self - The True meaning of Christmas

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of the Christ energy into the world.  What does this mean for you? For most people the true meaning of Christmas has been lost in the consumerism of buying presents and eating alot of food.  The spiritual meaning has been reduced to the nativity story of the birth of Jesus. I like to think of Christmas as the time to celebrate the landing of Christ consciousness onto our earth, into this dimension.  It has arrived and is held within each of us.  We may not all know that we carry it, but it is this sacred spirt that is our True Nature. 

Here is a short meditation process (taken from our Course in Transformation)  to help you remember your true Self and in doing this, help others awaken to their true nature:

• 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:

• Who am I?

• Draw/write whatever comes to mind

• What are the burdens I carry?

• Draw/write whatever comes to mind

• What is the truth of who I am?

• Draw/write whatever comes to your 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.

• 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.

---

The Tree

By Miranda Brett
(Wu Tao Instructor Melbourne Australia)

I make no apology for who I AmI simply grow wherever I am planted
Spreading, exploring the Earth
Graciously receiving all that is given
 all the elements, nutrients and space that is needed for this vital life
Creating a strong, firm foundation, steadfast, brave and true
Following the natural rise of energy as I find myself moving outwards through the leaves and branches into the Light
Spreading, creating, Giving Fully
I am worthy to be here and I hide nothing
I shine beautifully and without reservation, allowing my magnificence to be witnessed with my ever-changing canopy of leaves, the fragility of new growth, tender buds, flexibility, movement, dancing in the wind, buffeted by storms, lashed by rain.
Some boughs straight and strong, other branches dead and withered
Embracing it all, denying nothing
See me with my perfect imperfections
You and I,
Yin and Yang
We dance, touch, create, merge
Experiencing ourselves Fully
For we are One.

---

Summer Recipe for You 

Watermelon SaladThis recipe is cooling and cleansing. Summer is the ideal time to enjoy fruits such as juicy, sweet watermelon.  Rocket lettuce is bitter and stimulates the Liver. Lemon juice will keep your body alkaline.

Ingredients1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large)
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 cups baby rocket leaves, washed and spun dry
1/8th seedless watermelon, rind removed, and cut in 1-inch cubes
200g good fetta cheese, 1/2-inch diced
1 cup whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

DirectionsWhisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking constantly, to form an emulsion. If not using within an hour, store the vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator.

Place the rocket leaves, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough dressing to coat the greens lightly and toss well. Taste for seasonings and serve immediately.

---

The picture below is of my beautiful girls and myself last Christmas.  Belle's last Christmas in her body. She was the happiest I have ever seen her and had the best day in absolute joy and bliss.

I wish for you a beautiful Christmas with your loved ones.  May your spirit shine bright and bring joy and peace to all around you. See you in 2012!

Lots of love  

Michelle 

Wu Tao Dance

---

Want more peace, balance and energy in your life?

Start the Ultimate Beginner Course

 Get the DVD Package 

Find a class close to you

Become a Wu Tao Instructor

Finding Balance in 2011

Hi there ,

2011 has arrived and what a year it is already! In Australia, the east coast is severely flooded. On the west coast we have intense heat and fires.  In other parts of the world there are tornadoes, snow, earthquakes and hurricanes. Mother nature is speaking and she is loud right now!  

I feel for all those who are bearing the brunt of her force.  It cannot be easy dealing with the impact of these severe weather conditions. 

Over the years there has been much talk of changing weather patterns and global warming. It seems to be here!  We are living through extremely challenging times which I believe hold the potential for complete transformation of our planet and humanity.  Can we rise to the challenge?   

When I first created Wu Tao, I had many visions and messages.  One of them was that the world would need many human lights to shine through the turbulent days ahead.  To be a light, we would need to be clear of limiting thoughts and patterns held in our minds and bodies.

 When we are clear of what we are not and remember who we are, we can rest in that knowing and be WHO WE ARE.  

Wu Tao would help us to remember. It has been doing that now for 10 years.  Helping to bring us home to our true Self, the radiant divine aspect of our being that is at One with Life and always in peace and love.

We have been offered many tools and ways to remember.  Now it is time to BE IT.  To be the Light of your True self and shine the way so others remember. To rest in your Self and hold that space of peace and love within the turbulence of the world around you.  This is our time to show what we are!  To walk the talk!

  

View your experience as an opportunity to evolve and know yourself as a powerful co-creator with Life.  Take responsibility, be your Self and do what ever is needed to restore balance and peace for yourself and others.

This is the gift of the Earth element in Wu Tao.  Gratitude and appreciation for everything that life brings you.  Being receptive and open to whatever comes your way. It is no use resisting what is in front of you.  

My thought right now is that Life is presenting us with significant and powerful opportunities for transformation.  Earthquakes, floods, relationship breakdowns whatever.  We want to return home.  To our truth and our Selves.  Are we ready to wake up?

Are you awake? If you are, then your purpose now is to shine as brightly as you can and light the way for others to also awaken. It doesn't matter where you are or what is going on around you.  This is your job now.

If you are stuck in ways of thinking that are making you feel depressed, angry, anxious or fearful, are you ready to find another way? 

I strongly recommend Wu Tao to help you maintain balance and energy and clear your body and mind of limiting emotional and mental patterns through these challenging times.

Start the Ultimate Beginner Course

Get the DVD Package 

Find a class close to you or

Become a Wu Tao Instructor

and get to know your True Self!

I want for you to know that you are peace. That you are what the world has been waiting for. That you are a divine, powerful and magnificent being. 

Here is my gift  to help you remember.  

Please click on the link below to access The Tao meditation to help you connect back to Life.

 http://www.sendspace.com/file/pag1o3

The music was composed by my beautiful partner Steve Richter.  The words I wrote over ten years ago when Wu Tao was being conceived.  I hope it takes you home to your Self.

Blessings and much love

Michelle 

Wu Tao Dance

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!)

---

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!

---

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. 

---

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