Romancing the Ordinary Qigong School, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln (2025)

11/01/2022

NEW EXERCISE CLASS STARTING IN NETTLEHAM NEXT WEEK 19th JANAURY 2022

INTRODUCTION TO BREATHING AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

Never before has the underlying health of our lungs been so important. However, many of us are unaware of how to breathe correctly and efficiently in order to improve the circulation of oxygen throughout the body which in turn can help to reduce the impact on us of all kinds of diseases and illnesses as well as promote recovery.

According to the British Red Cross, 48% of UK adults say the pandemic has negatively affected their wellbeing and so I have put these classes together with this in mind.

I will be teaching health enhancing exercises and techniques on:

• How to breathe better and easier for improved health and wellbeing.

• Co-ordinated breathing to gentle exercises (sometimes set to beautiful music) enabling you to totally relax the body and calm the “monkey mind’ ….. feel happier and more positive.

• How to open up and expand the chest for better breathing through posture and alignment of the body.

• How to balance out the impact of wearing masks through a series of helpful tips and breathing methods.

• How to live the rest of your life in pursuit of wellness and happiness during a pandemic.

Classes will take place every Wednesday at 9.30 am at the Old School Rooms Nettleham.

Please note that due to the available space of the hall, numbers will need to be strictly limited and so you will need to book in advance. The cost for each class is £6.00 and the course will be of six weeks duration.

I look forward to welcoming some of you next week.

Tel: 07922 878391 or email hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk to book a place or for further information.

06/09/2021

HEALTH AND WELLNESS RETREAT - WITH QIGONG

29TH - 31ST OCTOBER 2021 - NORMALLY £695 PER PERSON BUT I AM OFFERING SPECIAL RATES TO ALL OF MY QIGONG STUDENTS BASED ON TWO PEOPLE SHARING A GEODESIC DOME ALONG WITH PAYMENT OPTIONS SPREAD OVER 6 MONTHS - PLEASE ENQUIRE.

HOSTED FROM A BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE DESIGNED RETREAT CENTRE BASED IN THE HEART OF LINCOLNSHIRE WHERE LUXURY MEETS ECO (EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE NORTH AND SOUTH)

Following on from the very pleasing success of our first UK retreat in August, here are the dates for our Autumn themed retreat. Autumn is a wonderful time of year, a time for quiet reflection, golden leaves and hunkering down - some say it’s the years last loveliest smile.

Hosted by Helen Bell (BSc) and Dr Sandra McCutcheon with special guests Jenni Herbert, Andy Harris and Holly Nelstrop - the focus of this our second retreat, is to empower you with the knowledge and techniques to build up your bodily and mental resilience in preparation for the winter months ahead. We promise fun and laughter too. Visit our website to read testimonials from previous guests.

OUR ITINERARY

An introduction to the powerful exercise of ancient China known as Qigong. Based on martial arts principles - this is a slow moving mediation centred on breathing techniques for health and resilience with practitioner Helen Bell BSc. (Three 1hr classes comprising new qigong exercises not yet introduced in class but there will be optional opportunities to practise Shibashi Set 1 together).

Nature inspired yoga classes focussing on general health and wellbeing - suitable for men and women, experienced and beginners with Jenni Herbert.

A masterclass on “How to Sleep Soundly” with Dr McCutcheon.

A masterclass on Naturopathy with the focus on diet and holistic nutrition with Jenni Herbert (Tri Health - London).

A facilated drumming circle with Andy Harris - a magical and fun evening connecting everyone from all walks of life. The power of connection!

A zentangling experience with Dr McCutcheon - well known for its therapeutic effects on the mind.

Learn about the wisdom of the Native American talking stick as we explore how to really listen to the voices of our family and friends and therefore improve our relationships with them - hosted by Helen Bell.

A beautifully restorative “forest bathing” experience with Dr McCutcheon.

Masterclass on breathing techniques for health with Dr McCutcheon.

Optional body massages that will make you feel simple amazing .. with Jenni Herbert.

Quintessentially English afternoon tea by the lake.

Free time activities include bathing in your own private wood fired hot tub with a glass of bubbly: snuggling up with a cuddly blanket observing the wild life on the lake whilst sipping tea: going nature based forest walking; wild water swim dip in the lake: observing the twinkly stars as you drift off to sleep in your luxurious super king size snuggly bed or simply read that long overdue book sitting on a bean bag in the KULA dome with its panoramic views across the wide open spaces of the Lincolnshire Countryside.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Luxury sleeping accommodation in your own private space in the woods where you can observe and listen to the sounds of nature. Choice of super king size bed, or two twin beds with organic, vegan and completely chemical free mattress and pillows.

Your own private hand built wooden shower room and wc. Complementary natural soaps and shampoos included.

A private two person, wood burning stove to keep you warm.

All meals beautifully presented nature inspired vegetarian meals prepared by our on site chef and nutritionist Holly Nelstrop. Be surprised as how good plant based food can taste.

A quintessentially English afternoon tea by the lake on Sunday afternoon alongside as we cuddle up next to the wood burning stove.

Unlimited fresh and loose leaf teas and coffees. Our tea hut that sits on the lake is open 24 hours.

Use of sunset Dias overlooking the countryside, woodland soundscape circle, and KULA dome with its exceptionally high standard of yoga and exercise equipment for private exercise/meditation during free time.

Fully inclusive of everything - all you need to bring is yourself and then open your heart to discover silence of the mind in this age of noise. We are waiting for you in the forest …

Call me for a chat 07922 878391 or email hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk for a copy of the full itinerary or take a peek at our website for testimonials from our previous guests www.romancingtheordinary.co.uk

03/09/2021

Hello everyone, I hope you are all practising your qigong and breathing exercises?
The Eight Silk Brocades (Ba Duan Jin) set of exercises will be part of our learning over the autumn weeks and so I thought that you might find this video interesting to watch. I shall of course be teaching a much gentler version accessible to all but I think you will agree that this is a beautiful version and you will recognise some of the movements. In the meantime … please keep working with your breath, breathing in through the nose and into the tummy and out through the nose and let me know how you are getting on. Warmest wishes to you all

Filmed and edited by Akiko Jerryhttp://ami-film.com

02/09/2021

OUR FIRST UK ROMANCING THE ORDINARY HEALTH AND WELLNESS RETREAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DR MCCUTCHEON (MINDFULNESS SKILLS4LIFE) - HERE IS WHAT OUR LOVELY LADIES HAD TO SAY ABOUT IT…..

“You gorgeous women, I can’t thank you enough for creating the space to detox my mind and body. Your knowledge, your tuition, your guidance all delivered with such generosity and clean intent enabled me to reset and leave with clarity of mind and purpose - thank you with all my heart”

“What a wonderful retreat - could it have been better? No! So relaxing, so pampering, so educational, so friendly, so easy so ….so…. So! You are both gorgeous - I will be back”

“Thank you both so much for such a beautiful nourishing space. … just wow! It has enriched my heart!

“Thank you for a wonderful weekend retreat. I now have an extended family and memories to love and treasure”

“Thank you so much for a brilliant weekend retreat. I have learnt so much about myself and my needs. I have learnt how to give myself “permission” and made good friends for life - love to you both”

“Thank you! The retreat was wonderful, relaxing and such fun. I was unsure what to expect but enjoyed every minute of it and as for the food, well that was just beautiful! Love to you both”

You have put so much thought and energy into your beautifully placed retreat. Your passion for your work oozed out of you both and enthused us all. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and kindness”

FOLLOWING ON FROM THE SUCCESS OF THIS RETREAT, WE HAVE JUST FINALISED OUR PROGRAMME AND ARE TAKING BOOKINGS FOR OUR AUTUMNAL THEMED RETREAT 29TH - 31ST OCTOBER 2021.

Email: hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk for a full description of this retreat including payment options OR take a peek at our website www.romancingtheordinary.co.uk

Come and join us to experience silence of the mind in this age of noise!

Helen BSc and Dr Sands ……

19/08/2021

Building on the success of this retreat, Romancing the Ordinary and Mindfulness Skills4Life have joined together again to offer a beautiful Autumnal themed retreat. Experts Jenni Herbert (Tri Health) and Andy Harris (Power of Drums) along with our resident chef and nutritionist Holly Nelstrop, will be joining our line up of health professionals that will be looking after you.
Here is our new brochure that you can download. To book or to make further enquiry:
Email: hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk
Tel: 07922 878391

08/08/2021

Hello everyone

In recent classes we have started to explore the energy gates. Here the Tai Chi Qigong & Feng Shui Institute share some useful insights. Hopefully some of this sounds familiar to you.

How to Open the 4 Major Gateways of our Bodies

Qi enters are body through various gateways. At the end of your qigong Shibashi practice, most can feel qi in your palms. However, in order to advance further in your qigong practice, it is important to make sure the qi penetrates deeper into your body instead of just staying on the surface of your skin. The key to doing this is to open the 4 major gateways of our body: the 2 Lao Gong on your palms and the 2 Yong Quan on the bottom of your feet.

The 2 Lao Gong are relatively easy to open as most of you can already feel qi in your palms. However, many qigong practitioners cannot feel the qi in their feet, because the Yong Quan are more difficult to open. Think about it. The Yong Quan are the furthest point from your heart. If you have poor qi and blood circulation, the Yong Quan are usually the first areas to get affected. That’s why when we get older, weakness always begins in the legs.

When we were babies, we were so energized we kept kicking our legs, even lying down. When we were teenagers, it was hard to sit completely still. Our legs were so full of energy, they’d be shaking. When we are older and less active, we cross our legs. (We do it naturally to prevent the leakage of qi.) Eventually our 2 legs become 3 (with a walking stick), then become 6 (with a walker). Finally our 2 legs turn into 2 wheels (wheelchair). I know quite a few people with weak legs who can’t walk very well, yet they still have very strong arms, but not that many with weak arms and strong legs.

In fact, I would even say many illnesses today are related to blockages of the leg meridians. There are so many meridians in our legs, more than our arms. The stomach, bladder, gall bladder, liver, kidney, spleen, plus 5 more extraordinary meridians all pass through our legs. Most of these meridians continue through our body, and some even into our head; so they are all affected when the legs weaken. In one of my newsletters, I discussed how diabetes is related to the blockage of the leg meridians and the Chinese medical approach to this problem. One of the reasons why diabetes is so prevalent today is sedentarism, we are walking considerably less than a few hundred years ago. It’s very important to open the Yong Quan and be able to draw the qi up through your legs and into your body. This brings much needed qi to vital areas.

If you visit the Institute site and sign up for their emails, you can view one of 25 videos from the Level 2 Qigong Mode & Tai Chi Posture Requirements Program which teaches you how to open your Lao gong and Yong Quan gateways. By the way, the Institute does not bombard you with emails, they are usually very interesting.

03/08/2021

I hear what he is saying about addressing the emotion through mindful breathing “before” any strong emotion consumes us. Wise words indeed.

29/07/2021

ONE MORE SLEEP!!

With just hours to go until our first UK Retreat which is fully booked! - our team of special people are preparing to welcome our first guests which includes two lovely ladies who attend my Qigong classes on a regular basis, Julia and Trudie.

Meet our team, business partner, life coach and mindfulness practitioner - Dr Sandra McCutcheon (mindfulness-skills4life) our nutritionist and resident chef Holly Nelstrop, and our drumming circle facilitator Andy Harris. Julie Nelstrop, a highly experienced yoga teacher is also a valued member of our team. I shall be teaching the art of Qigong with the energising “Eight Silk Brocades” practise. Collectively we shall be delivering what will be nothing short of an extraordinary and beautiful health and wellness retreat hosted from a gorgeous purpose designed venue located here in the heart of Lincolnshire where luxury meets eco. Unless someone tells us otherwise - we believe that what we have created is a totally unique concept. Highly personalised for a small number of guests, our retreat promises to be life and health enhancing for our guests. We are offering silence of the mind in an age of noise!!

The soft snuggly super king size beds inside luxury geodesic domes tucked away deep in the forest, are all made up, the private eco fresh water hot tubs are waiting to be occupied, the candles are lit and the celebratory champagne is on ice.

The dates of our next retreat which includes Qigong are 8th - 10th October 2021. We have a special offer for all of of our Qigong students who have been attending regular classes with me. Drop me a line if you would like to receive details and take a peek at our website to see the full programme.

www.romancingtheordinary.co.uk
Hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk

27/07/2021

https://taichi18.com/pdf/shibashi.pdf

Hello everyone

Here is the Youtube link to Shabshi Set 1 that I think you will find very helpful for your over the summer practise whilst there will be no classes. There is also a little quote that I would like to share with you which I think is particularly lovely "your outer life reflects the quality of your qi (energy). When you glow inside, the whole world shines. Robert Peng

18/07/2021

THE LAOGONG ACUPRESSURE POINT

In our classes this week we explored the laogong acupressure point that is an invaluable tool for a Qigong practitioner because through gentle massage, it can help to relieve anxiety, anger, and stress as well as directing energy flow.

Known in Chinese medicine as the “palace of toil” possibly because of its connection with the part of the body that is often associated with manual labour carried out by the hands, this point is one of the most important acupressure points.

When we are upset or distressed, the heat energy in the body can rise upwards causing us to feel hot in the upper body sometimes manifested by red face, neck and chest. Massaging this point can help to ease these symptoms making you feel calmer and more at ease with yourself and the world - so important right now. It literally helps to cool the emotions.

The point is found where the middle finger touches the palm. To massage it we simply rest one hand on the fingers and palm of the other hand then use the thumb to reach into the palm. Apply moderate pressure with the thumb move the thumb in small circles as you place your mental focus on the point. Focus and breathe gently in and out through the nose as you massage.

You can do this simple “self care” massage anywhere, at any time of day. Combined with focussed breathing it feels very nurturing and can help us to find grace, peace and calm in our day. You can also use this simple technique to prepare yourself for sleep or wakefulness.

Be kind to yourself, try this if only just once and let me know at our next class how you get on.

Until I see you all next week.

01/07/2021

Here are the details of my regular community Qigong classes which anyone is welcome to join.

CHERRY WILLINGHAM VILLAGE HALL - TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 2 - 3PM
NETTLEHAM OLD SCHOOL ROOMS - WEDNESDAY 9.30 - 10.30 AM
CHERRY WILLINGHAM CHURCH HALL - WEDNESDAY 6.30 - 7.30 PM

Qigong is a beautiful and gentle form of exercise that is not dissimilar to Tai Chi. The emphasis is on focussed breathing, relaxation and gentle movement to beautiful music.

Qigong teaches us how to totally relax the mind and body which is great for helping with stress, anxiety and sleep problems. It also helps to achieve natural and easy breathing, body flexibility and improved balance both mentally and physically which it does by loosening the joints to gently stretch and align the body so that feel simply great.

Qigong is accessible to almost everyone as it can even be practised seated.

Your first class is free for you to try and see if you like it. Thereafter I charge £6 per person or £5 if unwaged/senior per class.

I also offer private Qigong for Health sessions on a one to one or very small group basis.

Tel 07922 878391 or drop me a line hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk for further details.

29/06/2021

Healthy Diet Healthy Qigong

28/06/2021

We also run our own retreats that include Qigong classes.

DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY SLEEPING?

In these days when building up our natural immunity has become so vitally important, getting 7 -8 hours of quality sleep each night can really help to keep the immune system in fighting spirit. With this in mind, Dr Sandra McCutcheon will be taking our guests on a guided “aid to sleep” session in which one can learn how to sleep deeply and naturally.

Lights will be dimmed in our gentle space, and you will “tucked in” with a cosy rest-time blanket. Eyes will be encouraged to rest too with the support of a lightly weighted eye pillow. There is nothing you will need to do, nowhere you will need to be, and nothing that will need changing.

From this place of calm, you will be invited to take a journey with Dr McCutcheon through the body, softly tightening and releasing muscles to enable to body to totally relax. After saying goodbye to any physical tension in the body, you will be welcomed into warm waves of soothing relaxation techniques before retiring to your bedroom in the forest where you can snuggle up in your super luxurious bed fitted with organic, vegan and chemical free mattress and pillow as you drift softly away into the kingdom of sleep, listening to the gentle sounds of nature that surround you.

Wake up in the morning feeling totally refreshed and raring to go!

“Sleep is the best meditation” (Dalai Lama)

Call 07922 878391 for an informal chat or connect by the written word with our team hello@romancingtheordinary.co.uk for more details about our amazing new Lincolnshire based Health Retreat 30th July to 1 August 2021. Full details may be found on our website www.romancingtheordinary.co.uk

15/06/2021

At last! Here are the full details for our new UK based health retreat including information about our special one off, introductory offer.

Join us on this life changing retreat. Discover how to make positive changes around how you wish to live your life. Feel cared for, nurtured and nourished. Learn new health enhancing practices and techniques whilst luxuriating in a stunning Lincolnshie location where eco meets luxury and the world stands still.
Click here to find out more.

https://www.romancingtheordinary.co.uk/retreats/OUR-FIRST-UK-HEALTH-RETREAT-BASED-IN-LINCOLNSHIRE-----WITH-HELEN-BELL-BSc-AND-DR-SANDRA-McCUTCHEON