Spring is a season when things are growing – plants budding and blossoming, wildlife giving birth. At Point Reyes you might see gray whale mothers and calves migrating beyond the shores, tule elk with calves in the grasslands, birds tending their nestlings or teaching their fledglings to fly, and many more.

Spring is a time for us humans, too, to nurture our own creative potential. With this in mind, we invite you to join us in a day of Qigong and art.

We will begin with Qigong (Chinese Medicine energy techniques) to connect intimately with the energies and rhythms of nature in spring, including Zhan Zhuang standing with tree meditation, Earth Qigong grounding practice, Spiraling Dragon Qigong movement, and related acupressure points for self-care. These techniques will nourish your body-mind and invigorate you with the youthful energy of spring.

You will then experience “Your Inner Garden” guided journey to explore the creative energies within you and nourish what is ready to blossom and grow.

Then learn special mixed media art techniques to shape your Inner Garden’s special haven – a nest, den, cave, or burrow of creative potential.

*No Qigong or art experience needed. A variety of mixed media art supplies will be provided. Bring your lunch; if you like, a chair or cushion for sitting outdoors; special magazines, photos, or personal items for your art piece.

Kaleo and Elise Ching have co-taught (35 years) Qigong, guided journeys, and transformative art processes to connect with realms of nature beyond and within. They have co-taught for John F. Kennedy University (25 years), Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, ILM/LucasFilms, and other venues nationally and internationally. They coauthored Chi and Creativity: Vital Energy and Your Inner Artist (Blue Snake Books, 2007) et al.

Photo Credit: Zoe Duerksen-Salm

Details

-We will be meeting at the Red Barn Classroom in the Bear Valley area of Point Reyes

– Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check in

– Refunds available for all classes 7 days in advance of the start date, after 7 days and before 2 days, participants can credit their class for a future date. All requests before 48 hours in advance will be declined. For COVID policy, see below.

– Please follow the parking instructions for the facility used that day

– Please provide an email you check regularly for updates and reminders about your class

– Registration is required online prior to the event in order to maintain class sizes

– Sales end 48 hours before the start date.

– Waitlists are available when the class sells out

What to Bring

A chair or cushion for sitting outdoors

Special magazines, photos, or personal items for your art piece if desired

Day Pack

Lunch

Warm Variable Weather Clothing

Hiking Shoes

Water Bottle

Notebook and Pen/Field Journal

Eventbrite Confirmation Email

Binoculars (Optional)

Camera (Optional)

About the PRNSA Field Institute

The PRNSA Field Institute offers hands-on environmental education classes throughout the year that foster enjoyment of Point Reyes National Seashore. Our classes are led by expert instructors, who take you out of your everyday life and into the natural world. We host a variety of classes about the arts and sciences and have something for everyone. You can reach the Field Institute at (415) 663-1200 x304 or by email at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

Interested in becoming a member of PRNSA? Click Here!

Interested in becoming a PRNSA Field Institute volunteer facilitator, or are you an outdoor educator or artist who would like to teach a PRNSA Field Institute class? Send an Email!

For any questions, please email us at fieldinstitute@ptreyes.org.

COVID-19 Field Institute Guidelines

Please respect the following COVID-19 procedures:

· Perform a health self-check before coming to class using the CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus as a guide

· Do not attend class if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, know that you have had a close exposure, or are suffering from any flu-like or respiratory illness

· Contact the Field Institute if you will not be able to attend due to COVID. You may be eligible to receive a full or partial refund

· Participants exhibiting signs of respiratory illness may be asked to leave class

· Masks are optional at your discretion

· Please bring your own food and water

All guidelines are subject to change pursuant to State or County Health order updates.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these guidelines to help keep everyone safe.