Seminars
About Paulie Zink Seminars
Participants learn a variety of yin and yang postures which blend and balance the body’s yin and yang energies. Instruction also includes methods of flowing with movement, how to grow the body to optimize flexibility, visualization exercises and breathing meditations. In addition, the properties of the five elements are explained and demonstrated as Master Zink leads students through the cycle of energy transformation.
Students find Taoist yoga to be an excellent compliment to other styles of yoga. Teachers of other styles regularly attend Paulie’s seminars to enhance not only their own personal practice, but also their classroom skills. Paulie is known as a teacher’s teacher.
Students who attend Paulie’s seminars are invited to practice at their own level of skill. There is absolutely no pressure to perform beyond one’s comfort and limits.
I just wanted to let you know what an amazing experience it was to be at Paulie’s workshop. He is truly a Master teacher and so much of what he said really resonated with me. And I don’t remember ever having so much fun at a workshop! Just from those three days, I could feel the energy changes in my body. I only wish I could study with someone who is at the high level he is at. I feel so honored to have been able to experience this time with Paulie and am truly thankful for this past weekend.
With much gratitude,
Marcia K.
Chandler, AZ
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TAOIST (YIN AND YANG) YOGA
TEACHER TRAINING - STUDENT INTENSIVE WORKSHOP
Session One, 3-4 hours
THE FIVE ELEMENTS BIRTHING CYCLE
Topics:
- The Five Elements: Theory, Energetic qualities, The cycle of transmutation
- The origins of Taoist yoga
- Philosophy of Taoist yoga- the concept of non-interference
- Relationship of the microcosmic self to the macrocosmic universe
- The natural breath cycle and the circulation of energy
- Taoist meditations for grounding and relaxation
Session Two, 3-4 hours
THE FIVE ELEMENTS YIELDING CYCLE
Topics:
- The Five Elements: The Yin and Yang aspects, Health and balance of the emotions and internal organs
- The Taoist way of spontaneity and receptivity
- Being in harmony with our individual Tao
- Relaxing the thinking mind to awaken to our primal and intuitive natures
- How to grow the body supple
- Taoist visualizations for deepening your practice
In this workshop we will explore:
Yin Yoga- Postures of stillness for promoting growth, clearing energetic blockages, and enhancing circulation.
Yang Yoga- Postures for developing core strength and muscle tone, balance, and stamina.
Taoist Flow Yoga- Including both Yin and Yang yoga, Taoist Flow is more than just a sequence of postures. In Taoist Flow the process of transition from pose to pose is as much a part of the practice as the postures themselves. Taoist movement incorporates continuous, smooth and circular motion designed to develop fluidity and grace in the body and a relaxed confident demeanor.
Certificate:
Participants who complete the two-day seminar and its requirements earn a 10-12-hour teacher training certificate towards teacher certification in Taoist Yoga.
Requirements:
To earn a certificate, students must attend both days plus read two translations of the Tao Te Ching and write a personal reflection of at least 100 words on a chapter of their choice. Attendees who do not wish to earn the certificate are not required to write an essay.
THE YIN AND YANG OF TAOIST YOGA WORKSHOP
This workshop will be largely experiential with some short lectures. Students will engage in Yin Yoga postures of stillness for promoting growth, clearing energetic blockages, and enhancing circulation, Yang Yoga postures for developing core strength and muscle tone, balance, and stamina, and Taoist Flow Yoga. Taoist Flow includes both Yin and Yang yoga. It is more than just a sequence of postures. In Taoist Flow the process of transition from pose to pose is as much a part of the practice as the postures themselves. Taoist movement incorporates continuous, smooth and circular motion designed to develop fluidity and grace in the body and a relaxed confident demeanor.
Taoist yoga is an earth honoring tradition born out of the indigenous health practices and spiritual philosophies of ancient China. Taoist principles follow the way of simplicity and living in harmony with nature. In this all-levels workshop we learn to let go of concepts to free ourselves from the constraints of the thinking mind, grow the body supple, flow with movement, and be in harmony with our own Tao, or way of being.
We explore specific yoga postures that activate the vital properties of the five alchemical elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and invoke the spiritual essence of various creatures, thus enlivening the body and consciousness with these energetic qualities.
Through this process of renewal we balance emotions, restore bodily systems, clear energetic obstructions, increase vitality, and enhance self-awareness. By returning to our true state of being we awaken to our primal power and playful spirit.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:
- How to endow the body with the energetic properties of the five elements
- Maintaining health and balance of emotions and the internal organs
- Unlocking the joints and clearing toxins
- The circulating breath cycle and the flow of energy throughout the body
- Relaxing the thinking mind and learning to feel with the intuitive heart
- Meditations for grounding and relaxation
- Visualizations for developing flexibility and deepening your personal practice
Master Paulie Zink received intensive private training for ten years as the sole protege of a Chinese Taoist yoga and Kung fu master, Cho Chat Ling. A three time international martial arts grand-champion, Zink is renowned for his fluidity, flexibility and artistry of motion. He conveys a profound simplicity that comes from true understanding. With his relaxed and playful demeanor, students find him to be a very approachable and enjoyable teacher. Zink is the founder of his own style of Toaist yoga and the original source of “Yin” yoga. He has been teaching for over 30 years.
Master Zink was featured in the BBC series “Jerry Hall’s Gurus”, a documentary on spiritual teachers produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, UK.
Master Zink has taught Taoist yoga and Medical Chi Kung at:
- Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Stockbridge, MA
- Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, Rhinebeck, NY
- Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
- Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
- University of California Los Angeles, International Student Center
- Deaconess Hospital, Cancer Treatment Program, Billings, MT
- Midwest Yoga Conference, Chicago, IL
Private Instruction: $1,200 per hour, plus expenses
Contact: pauliezink@gmail.com
Paulie Zink’s Taoist Yoga is the original source of Yin Yoga.
Learn from the master who started it all.
Cowist yoga on the Montana prairie.
