This ‘Exquisite Japan’ tour embraces a unique way to experience many beautiful and special places and activities.

This Holiday Retreat is a way to connect deeply with Japanese culture while offering yourself the benefits of Qi practice.

Join us for a reasonable amount of walking, catching local transport, mixing with the locals and enjoy staying in traditional accommodation sleeping on futons on tatami flooring.

Exquisite Japan Itinerary

April 12 (Mon) MEET in JAPAN
Participants will be met in Nara just after lunch or Kansai Airport in the evening.
Transfer to Oji. Stay Oji.

April 13 (Tue) NARA
A day exploring Oji and Nara: world’s oldest and largest wooden structures, Horyuji and Todaiji Temple, and many highlights of this ancient capital.
Stay Oji.

April 14 (Wed) UJI
A day exploring Uji, birthplace of Japanese Green Tea and home of the splendid Byodo-in Temple. Workshop on tea processing and making tea. Lunch that includes Tea as an ingredient. Stay Oji.

April 15 (Thu) KINOSAKI
By train to Kinosaki Onsen/ Natural Hot Spring Town. Stroll the streets in yukata (japanese robe) and enjoy onsen/bath-hopping experience or visit the Sea of Japan. Enjoy elegant Ryokan with exquisite meal. Stay Kinosaki.

April 16 (Fri) KYOTO
Afternoon tea tasting and preparation workshop at the highly respected Ippodo Tea Company. Kyoto centre and famous markets, with the evening exploring Ponto cho, Gion (Geisha district), Yasaka Jinja shrine and night time strolling viewing the blossoms in Maruyama Koen park. Stay Kyoto.

April 17 (Sat) KYOTO/ MATSUMOTO
Explore the famous and tranquil Ryoanji, and Daitokuji Temples and enjoy a Shojin Ryori (Japanese Buddhist Temple Cuisine) lunch. Shinkansen (bullet train) and Express to Matsumoto. Relax in Asama Onsen. Stay Matsumoto.

April 18 (Sun) MATSUMOTO
Background to Japanese Tea ceremony with demonstration and hands-on experience of making Matcha (powdered green tea). Kimono dressing. Participate in a large Tea gathering under the Cherry blossoms at Matsumoto Castle. Tour castle. Evening Festivities. Stay Matsumoto.

April 19 (Mon) MATSUMOTO
A leisure day for you to choose what you’d like to do. Maybe wander around Matsumoto, play in the last of the snow in Hakuba (nearby), or visit Nagano and onto Togakushi to the Ninja museum and forest walks. Stay Matsumoto.

April 20 (Tue) KANAZAWA
Morning train to Kanazawa. Arrive mid afternoon and visit Gold leaf museum and ancient Samurai house and garden. Evening blossom stroll. Stay Kanazawa.

April 21 (Wed) KANAZAWA
Start the day at one of the 3 most famous gardens of Japan - Kenrokuen, and enjoy a morning cuppa in the beautiful Shiguretei tea pavilion. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure with a wide range of activities to choose from, such as visiting the Ninja temple, museums such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kutani pottery, confectionary or calligraphy workshops….. Stay Kanazawa.

April 22 (Thu) HIKONE/KYOTO
After a morning spent in the private garden of Gyokusen-en, the train takes us to Hikone and our second National Treasure Castle overlooking Lake Biwa. We enjoy the afternoon in this lakeside town, and find ourselves back in Kyoto nearing sunset. Stay Kyoto.

April 23 (Fri) KYOTO
The morning starts out with a trip to the north east outskirts of Kyoto to Mount Hiei’s peaceful temple Enryakuji. After exploring this forested mountain temple complex we arrive back for lunch and to disband after the Geishas performance of Miyako Odori (Cherry Blossom Dance) in Gion.

Qigong Holiday Retreats

• Qigong Holidays and Retreats
• Exquisite Japan – Cherry Blossom, Qi (Chi) & Tea Holiday Retreat
• Holiday Retreat - Qigong, Walking and the breathtaking Kiwi Coast
• Other Retreat ideas for corporate business, organizations and groups

      Have Fun and Be…

Uplifted and Refreshed, Energised and Centred

Come join Suzanne and colleagues for a replenishing, peaceful and re-energising time in one of the many Qigong holiday retreats. A variety of different Qigong and Tai Chi Retreats will be on offer throughout 2010 - 2011, where you can learn, practise and play with techniques to reduce stress and promote health and healing. Feel restored and experience Vital Energy (Qi) with a Relaxed and Calm, Body and Mind.

These Retreats will vary from meeting up for daily classes in amazing places like the Zen temple gardens in Kyoto Japan, to relaxing in the quiet and beauty of the mountains and seascapes in New Zealand. From informal classes to having your days organised and scheduled for you, the range of retreats will vary throughout the year. There will also be weekend retreats held locally in the Eastern Australia.

When you experience a Retreat with us, you will gain confidence in the Qigong / Tai Chi forms that are explored and learnt during our time together. This will assist and enable you to easily incorporate them into your life when you get home. For reference we also provide you with a booklet that contains many of the Qigong / Tai Chi forms and exercises that you would've learnt and played with during your Retreat and other relevant information that you will enjoy.

In 2007, we had an amazing time in the Angkor Wat Temple Complexes and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Participants came from Ireland, England, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Australia. It was very interesting in experiencing the different feelings of Qi in each of the ancient temples. And it was a very ‘hot’ weather experience as well! Perhaps at another time of year next time.

A Spiritual Japan Holiday Retreat was experienced with Tea Ceremony master Margaret Price and Qigong teacher Suzanne Rienits in September/ October 2009.

Spiritual Japan Holiday Retreat - Qi, Tea and Zen gardens in/around Kyoto. During that time in Japan, Suzanne met with local English speaking guides and workshop teachers, revisited and discovered more special places in the Alps and around the Kansai region. This helped to provide the basis for the wonderful itinerary that is now being offered - ‘Exquisite Japan’ – Cherry Blossom, Qi(Chi) & Tea. Held just after Easter in April 2010, and travelling in the peak of Blossom flowering time, this is an experience not to be missed!

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Exquisite Japan - Cherry Blossom, Qi (Chi/ Ki) & Tea Holiday Retreat 12 to 23 April, 2010.

Have great fun, and be immersed in the beauty of Japan, its society and culture while you learn, play and practice with Qi (energy).

A unique Holiday Retreat led Qigong teacher and Oriental Medicine practitioner Suzanne Rienits, with local English-speaking Japanese guides and workshop teachers along the way.

Discover more about yourself, laugh and increase your health and wellbeing, whilst you:

• Marvel at the refinement of Japanese arts, crafts and culture
• Experience the delicious tastes and visual elegance of Japanese cuisine
• Be uplifted by the natural forest, Zen Temple and Tea gardens
• Get centred and present in authentic Japanese Tea Ceremonies
• Invigorate by soaking in the natural Onsens (hot springs)
• Absorb breathtaking views of snow clad mountains or lake from the top of historic castles
• Meander in evening strolls under the pink lit cherry blossoms
• Be awed at Buddhist Temples and Shinto shrines
• Join a cherry blossom viewing party and participate in a festive Tea gathering
• Move around with the locals on the Shinkansen (fast bullet train) and local buses
• Stay in small Ryokans (traditional Japanese guesthouses)
• Become vibrant with daily Qigong/ Meditation practices

Let us tell you more…..

The delights of Japan are abundant. We believe it is a perfect place to experience, learn about and enhance your vital energy (Qi/ Ki), allow yourself to be in the moment (Tea Ceremony) and enjoy beauty, stillness, peace and serenity (Zen landscape gardens). And of course, be amazed by the exquisite Cherry Blossoms.

We’ve designed this Holiday Retreat so that you can enjoy the ancient/ historical sites and wonderful experiences Japan has to offer, while nurturing and enhancing your own energy. Every day you will be able to develop skills in regulating and maintaining vibrant energy with a calm mind through Qigong, Tai Chi and meditation sessions.

A Holiday Retreat?
It’s refreshing to give yourself the opportunity to take stock, reflect, to see and experience in a new way, to move stuck-ness and gather resources. This personal journey is the gift of the Retreat. It is the ideal opportunity to ‘re-treat’ yourself – take the time for a fix-up treatment or a ‘thank me treat’ for enjoying who we are.

This is a Holiday Retreat. Guided by Suzanne Rienits and local English- speaking guides along the way, this easy fun and flexible way to travel provides you with choices and leisure to venture out to explore your personal interest. You can also come along with the group as we experience the intricacies of making Tea and enjoying the space that is created when we drink it, soak in natural hot springs, relax as we absorb the tranquillity of the gardens or wander the back streets of Kyoto, Kanazawa and Matsumoto. Here we’ll explore beautiful and traditional crafts and arts such as washi (hand made paper), gold leaf work, pottery, re-cycled kimono shops and the like.

Daily sessions will be available for you in Meditation, Breathing and Qigong and Tai Chi that are all designed to enhance your your health and wellbeing. You will find that practising as we travel for nearly 2 weeks will provide you with a solid foundation, so that it will be easy to incorporate these practices into your lifestyle upon your return home.

Sight highlights of the Journey

NARA - UJI – KINOSAKI - KYOTO- MATSUMOTO - KANAZAWA – HIKONE - KYOTO

This Holiday Retreat experience commences Monday afternoon 12 April, 2010 in Oji (Nara), and finishes in the late afternoon Friday 23 April, 2010 in Kyoto.

The Holiday Retreat includes:
11 nights share accommodation;11 breakfasts; 3 lunches; 2 dinners; 12 days Qigong/ meditation sessions; in the guided portions of the scheduled tour it includes all train and bus transportation, daily guiding and information talks, all admission, performance and workshop fees.

Cost: AU $4750 (land only package)
Ask about early booking discounts.

Participants must purchase their own return air travel to Japan plus appropriate travel insurance.

ONLY LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE…SO REGISTER EARLY.

Holiday Retreat - Qigong, Walking and the breathtaking Kiwi Coast
New Zealand’s South Island | November 2010 | 6 days and 5 nights.

Plans are being made for the first of our Qigong training and walking in nature Holiday Retreats. If you would like to experience this revitalizing opportunity in a breathtaking part of the world, register your interest soon, as there are only 8 places available.

Retreat ideas for corporate business, organizations and groups

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Corporate / organizational and group Retreats can also be arranged, with designing the Qigong / Tai Chi, Stress management and lifestyle content, Body bliss/ massage/ other consultations/treatments and information talks according to your requirements. 

Below are some Qigong Retreats that have been requested.

Qigong for Peak Performance – Whether you’re a high-flying executive, an athlete, musician, professional, parent or wanting to maximize doing what you love, give yourself the time and space to re-fine and hone your ability to be at your peak, along with a sustained energy. Qigong forms, deep relaxation/ active rest, body and mind alignments and appropriate nourishment all contribute to getting you where and how you truly want to be with ease.

Women’s Recovery – This is for women: recovering from ill health, trauma, burn out, menopause, relationship changes, role changes in life such as retirement / employment change, empty-nest syndrome (children leaving home) or for those wanting to have the space to catch up with themselves.

Specific Qigong forms for Womens health, re-learning to ‘fill up one’s own well’, actively Resting, delicious and nourishing food and information that rebuilds your body, mind/emotions and your spirit, re-generating Day spa and natural therapy sessions and importantly our time is peppered with joy, fun and laughter!

Re-discovering your Yumminess and beyond…How to feel Yummy again to ourselves. Find the juicy-ness back in life and nurture your sensuality, whilst learning to use your sexual energy for creating what you would like in life. If you relate to having felt stuck, dry, parched, frozen or that life is/ can be dull, discover how to get clear and into the Flow.

A range of Qigong forms for moving Stuck Qi (Vital energy), getting ‘in the Flow’ along with Play, Joy, Creativity and Fun. We explore balance and how to build it into our lifestyle, great food sustenance tips and super foods that will re-build your body, mind/emotions and your spirit along with Day spa and natural therapy sessions to pamper and nourish you.

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