Programme
If you would like to attend any of the following groups or courses, or take part in a retreat please let us know by emailing us at courses.wales@lamrim.org.uk or telephoning the centre at 016-0078-0383 to make a booking.Saturday 2nd February; 11:00am – 4:30pm
Losar: Tibetan New Year at Lam Rim
Celebrate Tibetan New Year at Lam Rim with music, dance and food! Tibetan New Year celebrations run for 15 days and this year officially start from 5th February. However, here at Lam Rim we will be joined by our Tibetan friends to celebrate in advance! Come along and enjoy a lovely day - learn about how Tibetans celebrate new year, enjoy musical entertainment, watch delightful dance performances and then try the moves for yourself, test your momo making skills, share in delicious food and engage in wonderful company.Donations welcome!
Sunday 10th February; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Meditation Retreat – with Lama Chodrak
In this one-day course you will be introduced to a variety of meditation techniques which will help you to work with your thoughts and emotions. The day will include working with the breath, examining how our perceptions may mislead us, and how to use increased awareness to work with panic, fear and other emotional patterns. After this course you will be able to continue with a regular meditation practice, confident that you have had authentic instructions. The day is open and suitable for all, whether you are a complete beginner or already have some previous meditation experience. There will be ample time for questions and we will practise all of the techniques together.Cost: £45pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Lama Chodrak has been teaching and presenting workshops on Mindfulness and Meditation in the UK, Europe, South Africa and the USA since 1984 when he was ordained a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Being fluent in Tibetan he has acted as interpreter for various Tibetan teachers in the UK and in India, most prominently Mingyur Rinpoche, author of the books ‘Joy of Living’ and ‘Joyful Wisdom’. He was Rinpoche's secretary when he lived in the Palpung Sherabling Monastery in Northern India for 4 years, acting as his interpreter both there and on all his UK teaching tours. He has also worked in the Mental Health and Social Care field for over 20 years, having experience with a variety of clients: people living with HIV; intermediate care (physiotherapy); dementia and older people's mental health in acute admissions wards. Lama Chodrak is based in Abergavenny where he has a Shiatsu Clinic. He also supports Lama Rabsang in the Palpung Centre in Brynmawr.
Saturday 23rd February; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Sky Weaving Meditation – with Ngakma Shé-zér Khandro
The practice of Sky Weaving is called 'Namkha' in Tibetan, which means 'sky' or 'dimension'. This meditation practice involves weaving 'skies' of coloured wool, which link our energy with the energy of the elements, through the Tantric craft of sound and vision. The beauty of the Sky Weaving, which is empowered through mantra, magnetises personal 'demons'(neuroses, fears and obsessions) and releases them within the skies of each element. In Tantra we talk of the 'skies' of the five elements; earth, water, fire, air and space. Each element is a sky (dimension) of meaning, and each element is associated with an emotional confusion and a liberated energy. During the day you will make your own skyweaving under the guidance of Ngakma Shé-zér. Sticks and wool will be provided.Cost: £35pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Ngakma Shé-zér Khandro is an experienced teacher of the Aro gTér lineage, a Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition which is principally concerned with transforming our experience of everyday being, emphasising simplicity, clarity, and depth - both of practice and understanding.
Saturday 2nd March; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi – with Tony Chodrak
Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi, based on the philosophy of Tai Chi draws on some of the best movements from Yang style Tai Chi Chuan. It is a gentle, beautiful and flowing Qigong exercise routine that is both a delight to do and extremely relaxing. Shibashi’s soothing rocking motions and gentle stretching movements aid circulation and digestion and help release the tension held in the muscles of the body, while the chest exercises and controlled breathing are good for improving lung problems. The overall effect of synchronising the 18 movements with proper breathing techniques is to reduce mental and physical stress and improve the general health and wellbeing of the practitioner. Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi is very effective and easy to learn and practised worldwide. This day is suitable for any age or ability.Cost: £35pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Tony Chodrak lives and works in Wales where he has a Shiatsu Clinic. He also teaches Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi at various venues across the UK.
Saturday 6th April; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Restorative Yoga and Relaxation – with Kari Van Eden
Synchronising our yoga practice with our individual breath helps to re-connect with your body enabling release of muscle and mental tensions that encourage more peace. Increase your sense of calm and peace through specific Dru sequences and postures that deepen your connection with yourself. Experience deep relaxation that leaves you feeling energised, refreshed and completely renewed. Experience the joy of practising yoga outside as well as in. Deepen your awareness of how the breath benefits both the body and mind. Walk away having made new friends and feeling confident in beginning your own home yoga / meditation practise. NO YOGA EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. BEGINNERS WELCOME. BRING A FRIEND!£55 / £45 Early Bird before 28th February – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Kari Van Eden uses her 20 years of yoga experience to guide her yoga students to regain their connection with themselves, gain flexibility, strength and to find their physical and inner peace. She presents her classes and workshops in a fun, relaxed way that takes the pressure off students to perform or 'keep up'. This approach helps students feel comfortable and relaxed, achieving the best results for themselves. Kari has taught yoga in venues across the UK and also in Germany. Together with her partner Michael, she offers classes in Abergavenny, Raglan, Cross Ash, Devauden and Chepstow in Monmouthshire, Wales
Saturday 20th April; 10:00am – 5:00pm
Understand Your Unique Energy Medicine – with Joanne Cooper
This full day workshop is suitable for all ages and abilities and includes both theory and practical work. It’s information rich and fun in practice and will include an end of day meditation time to cement your new skills into the sub- conscious. Whilst at different ages we want and need different things, being and feeling healthy is essential at any age. During this workshop you will learn a new five- minute daily energy routine to keep your energies flowing in the right direction when they dip...as they usually do about 3pm. We will do some simple exercises to maintain healthy eyes; learn how to test before you ingest food / vitamins; test and correct and keep your chakras balanced; trace your meridians - your twelve and rivers of energy; and learn how to keep your triple warmer meridian fight, flight, freeze response calm. My invitation and intentions are to encourage you to help yourself. I will show you how to start a new daily routine that will support you for the rest of your life. Book early – limited spaces.Cost: £65pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Joanne Cooper is a Holistic Therapist with over 30 years’ experience and her practice, Uniqueness Health, is based in the Forest of Dean. Jo has a passion for facilitating healing and teaching self-help techniques. She has studied in the UK and USA with Donna Eden and qualified two years ago as an Eden Energy Medicine Practitioner based on ten years study and experience.
Saturday 8th June; 10:00am – 4:30pm
Relax With Reflexology – with Gill Vaisey
Back by popular demand! This course is a re-run of the successful day held last October. Help your body and mind relax on this practical based one-day course. Discover how reflexology has developed from the ancient civilizations to become one of the most popular complementary therapies today. Stress and modern life seem to go hand in hand. Reflexology aims to relieve stress and return the body and mind back to its natural balance. This course allows you to explore the theory, and experience and practise this amazing technique in a relaxing informative workshop situation.Cost: £35pp – Lunch and Refreshment included.
Gill Vaisey is a qualified reflexologist having trained through the International Therapy Examination Council, achieving a Diploma in Anatomy and Physiology and Reflexology. Gill currently works in education providing training and support to schools, local authorities and dioceses across the UK as well as writing and producing resources for religious education. She is also currently supporting Lam Rim Buddhist Centre on a voluntary basis as one of its Co-ordinators.
Please also remember that you are always welcome to join in the daily spiritual programme in the shrine room:
6:30am – 7:30am – Morning Puja (Chenrezig Guruyoga of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama)
9:30am – 10:00am – Silent meditation
4:30pm – 5:00pm – Silent meditation
7:30pm – 8:30pm – Evening puja (21 Praises to Tara, Long Life Prayer of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama, 6-armed Mahakala)