Holistic Tai Chi Qigong Academy UK
Dancing Cat Tai Chi Qigong & Holistic Health
Classes & Professional Training & Health
Debbie & Mark Gannon
07958 353455
Professional
Further Development
What Next?
Once you have successfully completed the 6-day Session Leader Course
you can lead your own sessions for relaxation & well-being
There is no requirement to attend further training. However you will be very welcome to return to the Academy to learn more when the time feels right for you
What are you looking for?
Advanced Session Leader Certification
Developing Knowledge & Skills
Training Diary
at a glance
2025
1 & 2 March 2025
22 & 23 March 2025
5 April 2025
6 April 2025
12 & 13 April + 17 & 18 May 2025
10 & 11 May 2025
31 May & 1 June 2025
12 & 13 July + 16 & 17 Aug 2025
2 August 2025
3 August 2025
2026
14 March 2026
15 March 2026
18 & 19 April + 16 & 17 May 2026
9 May 2026
10 May 2026
16 & 17 May 2026
11 & 12 July 2026
8 August 2025
9 August 2025
25 & 26 July + 22 & 23 August 2026
22 & 23 August 2026
3 & 4 October 2026
ADVANCED SESSION LEADER
CERTIFICATION
Many of us love to keep learning more about this amazing Health Art
Session Leaders can gain higher certification by completing all of the following modules which continue to build their Tai Chi Qigong knowledge
All of these modules are in person at our Hinckley studio
You can complete them in any order and at your own pace
Advanced Techniques of Tai Chi Qigong
Exploring Energy & the Energy Field
Energy Within Shibashi Qigong Set 1 Movements
Exploring Physical Health Benefits of Tai Chi Qigong
Delivering a Seated Qigong Session
Advanced
Physical Techniques
Tai Chi Qigong
£60
6 April 2025
10am to 5pm
3 places available
9 August 2026
10am to 5pm
6 places available
This module is part of the Advanced Session Leader Training
To book a place please pay £30 non-refundable deposit
The remaining £30 is payable 30 days before
The ideal way is for the whole body to move as one with a strong relaxed ease
This is efficient and effective
The movements all start in the feet and travel through the lower tantien.
The arms are moved by the body and all we need to do is apply spirals and arms
These techniques are applied to all tai chi qigong movements to ease the joints, strengthen the muscles, create flexibility, massage our internal organs and encourage our body systems to work more efficiently
This day will look at these techniques within the Shibashi Qigong Set 1 movements
Some movement's are easier than others, some techniques you may understand immediately and others may take years to perfect, however, understanding this way of moving will change and improve the way you do everything, even if you are still learning
This module forms part of Advanced Session Leader Certification
Body Alignment
& Alignment Assessments
£60
5 April 2025
10am to 5pm
3 places available
8 August 2026
10am to 5pm
6 places available
This module is part of the Advanced Session Leader Training
To book a place please pay £30 non-refundable deposit
The remaining £30 is payable 30 days before
In this 1 day module you will learn how to complete a body alignment assessment and explore the issues poor body alignment can create or aggravate
You will also learn how to make safe suggestions for your session attendees to help them to improve their alignment and potentially ease some of their discomfort
We will complete body alignment assessments each other while standing, sitting and moving and also consider how we use our body in everyday life and while delivering Qigong, as we have to look after ourselves first before we can help our attendees.
We are rarely taught how to stand and move correctly
Standing and moving with the right foot incorrectly can create discomfort in the left shoulder and neck
Big toes bending inwards creating bunions,
'Knock knees', 'Bow Legs' or collapsed foot arches are most often a consequence of poor posture and can be improved
We can help ourselves in many ways, once we know how, and as therapists, we can also help our attendees.
Session Leaders who are also holistic therapists will be able to use the information learned during this module to help their clients
£60
3 August 2025
10am to 5pm
5 places available
10 May 2026
10am to 5pm
6 places available
To book a place please pay £30 non-refundable deposit
The remaining £30 is payable 30 days before
If you pay in full the payment includes £30 non-refundable deposit
We ask you to bring a list of health conditions that you would like to ask about
Usually, our session attendees like to tell us about their aches, pains and health conditions or you may have issues of your own.
This training day is dedicated to exploring how and why Tai Chi Qigong can help to ease or support those conditions.
An open day for you to ask your questions and explore the subtle techniques of Tai Chi Qigong and gain a deeper understanding of the benefits for our physical body
This dedicated focus is ideal to incorporate into the 'learning' part at the start of each Qigong session and can also be used for workshops.
This module forms part of Advanced Session Leader Certification
£80
2 August 2025
10am to 5pm
4 places available
9 May 2026
10am to 5pm
6 places available
To book a place please pay £50 non-refundable deposit
The remaining £30 is payable 30 days before
If you pay in full the payment includes £50 non-refundable deposit
This 1 day training module explores the Shibashi Qigong Set 1 for those who need to remain seated. We will look at the health benefits for the standing movements and consider how we can help our seated attendees benefit without compromising their need to sit, while considering the challenges & difficulties that sitting brings
You will receive a certificate for 'Delivering a Seated Qigong Session'
This module is part of the Advanced Session Leader Certification
8 Pieces of Silk Brocade
SESSION LEADER CERTIFICATION
£395
25 & 26 July 2026 + 22 & 23 August 2026
6 places available
10 to 5pm
Please pay £50 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place
The remaining balance is due 30 days before the module start date
The 8 Pieces of Brocade is probably one of the oldest known set of Health Exercises and was created around 1140 AD during the Song dynasty, by the army general Marshal Yue Fei. The movements were designed to keep the soldiers well and in good shape for harsh, long battles.
During this 4 day module we will look at this ancient popular set of movements. We will explore the different versions that are taught and consider how some of the movements can be adapted
The movements in this set are not considered, by us, as suitable for beginners. We feel that the movements are more aimed at those who are looking to improve stamina, body strength as well as increasing flexibility.
This 2-day module takes you through a tapping & self-massage routine
covering the whole body
Key acupressure points are explored along with a variety of techniques.
We will consider when to use calming sedating techniques or warming stimulating techniques to leave us balanced, refreshed and restored
The aim of this module is to teach you. as Session Leaders, to lead a sequence of acupressure techniques, demonstrated on yourself, for your attendees or clients to follow
The routine can be delivered as a full session or in separate sections
Qigong Session Leaders can deliver this during the first part of a Qigong session
This module does not teach you to perform the techniques on other people
We provide notes and videos to support the face to face training
ADDITIONAL QIGONG SET
Daily Tai Chi Exercises
This 2 day module explores 21 Daily Exercises, to ease the joints in the body and relax the muscles & tendons. Ideally they should be practiced every day. As always, it is the way the movements are performed that creates the maximum benefit. This module teaches the movements, the health benefits and the correct way each exercise should be performed. We also highlight common errors and explore different ways to deliver these within your sessions.
£225
1 & 2 March 2025
1 place available
ADDITIONAL QIGONG SET
Lee Form Tai Chi Qigong Set
Anyone who has experienced the flow of a Tai Chi Form will know how beautiful it is to watch as well as to perform. However Tai Chi Forms are complex and require years of dedicated practice. This module teaches those movements within a qigong set offering a more inclusive way for people to enjoy and practice the flow of a Tai Chi Form.
4 Days, over 2 non-consecutive weekends
£395
12 & 13 July + 16 & 17 Aug 2025
1 place available
An additional set of 18 Movements to add variety to your sessions.
The movements of Shibashi Qigong Set 2 are very different to Set 1, moving and opening the body in a different way.
This module explores a variation of these interesting and enjoyable movements so this set can be offered to almost everyone, including those who may need to be seated for some or all of the session
4 days over 2 non-consecutive weekends
£395
12 & 13 April 2025 & 17 & 18 May 2025
2 places available
Shibashi Qigong Set 2
REFRESHER WEEKEND
A weekend to refresh and revisit the Shibashi Qigong Set 2
Improve your practice of the correct physical techniques
Gain more understanding of the health benefits
Explore the different versions of the movements
Understand the energetically balanced version of this Set
Ask your questions
£120
31 May & 1 June 2025
2 places available
14 March 2026
£60
10am to 5pm
5 Places available
Please get in touch if you have any questions
Drinks and snacks available all day, lunch not included
We will have a 1 hour lunch break, you can bring your own lunch
or pop out into any of the local cafes and restaurants
What is Energy?
During this day we explore the subtle way that we experience energy through sight, touch, sound, taste, colour and other people
We will explore the layers of the energy field
We will discuss sensitivity to the energy of other people, either our friends, family, work colleagues or clients
You ask your questions
There are no limits to the topics you may want to discuss, including healing, singing bowls, sound therapy, colours, spirituality, hands on healing, energy 'vampires', being an empath etc
A day for you and about you
exploring everything that is amazing and challenging
What do yo want to know?
Exploring Energy
within the
18 Shibashi Qigong Set 1 Movements
£60
15 March 2026
10am to 5pm
Drinks and snacks available all day, lunch not included
We will have a 1 hour lunch break, you can bring your own lunch
or pop out into any of the local cafes and restaurants
There are several energy processes happening through this version of Shibashi Qigong Set 1
The original set was designed to move the energy that we already have and to help it to flow around the body but this can create disharmony if we are already depleted and tired
The adaptations we have made to this set continue to move our energy but also bring several deeper layers of energy restoration, cleansing and harmonisation
We use the first few movements to cultivate qi, which replenishes and develops the energy store within the body
The next block of movements gently open the physical body and organs to encourage a cleansing and detoxing process, while maintaining connection to yin and yang energies to maintain a harmonious balance
We then begin the process of filling the body once again to leave us replenished, restored, energetically balanced and calm at the end of the set
The gentle way we move with ease and flow also releases physical and mental tension creating a complete overall well-being experience, leaving you harmonious inside and out
This module 'teaches' you how to do the movements in a relaxed enjoyable way
You cant get your Qigong movements wrong unless you try to hard and force your body or if you do something that hurts. Trying to 'get it right' creates tension and blocks the flow of energy. We are all always learning and evolving so we never 'get it right' as there is always another layer to uncover and discover. We encourage you to enjoy what you know.
The Qigong Immersion day is different as it is an opportunity to lose yourself in the energy and flow with guidance around the movements rather than 'teaching'.
This energy day is more about enjoyable learning rather than enjoyable experiencing.
QIGONG IMMERSION
EXPERIENCE
As Session Leaders we are always delivering sessions and rarely get to enjoy a session for ourselves
This qigong immersion is all about you, not as a Session Leader, but a chance for you to lose yourself within the flow and experience the session for yourself
This is an opportunity for you to be guided through the 18 Shibashi Set 1 movements and enjoy the time and space to immerse yourself, allowing you to reach your full potential, physically and energetically, for each movement.
Taking time to restore yourself is good for you and your attendees
You will gain a deeper understanding through your own experience, and enjoy this at your own pace
You will go through a deep cleansing, healing and restoring process
I encourage you to move at your own pace
You can stop & sit at ay time throughout this experience, listening to what you need
You can come along for both days or just for the Saturday
You can return every year to take your experience to an even deeper level
Saturday
A gentle supportive full day session experience
10am to 5pm
£60
Sunday (optional)
Allows time to revisit & reflect giving your body the opportunity to absorb and embed the experience
You have the opportunity to share your experience, ask questions, gain more insight
Saturday 10am to 5pm + Sunday 10am to 2pm
£100
10 & 11 May 2025
3 Places available
11 & 12 July 2026
6 Places available
To book a place please pay £30 non-refundable deposit
The remaining balance is payable 30 days before
Video Based
Learning
Enjoy these video based modules in your own time to expand your knowledge and add more depth to your sessions
Are you every stuck for ideas to deliver in your learning part of the session?
This video package offers more than 85 videos, each containing a video based 'session plan' with explanations of a vast number of topics to pass on qigong knowledge and keeping sessions interesting.
Available to purchase at any time
£25
A collection of videos offering theory behind the 5 Elements or Phases.
Exploring their essence and how they integrate into qigong & life.
Some videos also include physical practice, talked through by Debbie, offering an opportunity to feel this for yourself
Available to purchase at any time
£10
Sometimes we all need to refresh what we have learned and enjoy returning to the academy to gain some personal tuition and ask our own questions to build our understanding
You will always learn more when returning to refresh
You will attend with more experience which often leads to a deeper layer of understanding
You can return to revisit any training of the training modules as a refresher
