Sea of Qi
(pronounced Sea of Chee)
Located in, around the lower abdomen, the"Sea of Qi", or simply "energy centre" also known as the dantian, dan t'ian, dan tien or tan t'ien is loosely translated as “elixir field” and is an essential focal point for meditative and exercise techniques such as qigong martial arts such as t'ai chi ch'uan, and in traditional Chinese medicine.
In Yoga, this space is referred to as the swadhisthana chakra or Sacral Chakra.
In Yogic philosophy, it is thought to be the birthplace of prana that radiates outwards to the entire body, the place where the self is established.
Live Offering at Open Source Arts Leeds in collaboration with Natalia Ziętara -
with musicians Georgie Buchanan, Joseph Love
&
Huw Goodhead
Open Source Arts, Leeds , UK (August 2017)
In 2017, I met Natalia Ziętara, a Polish Sociologist, Artist & Breathworker.
Our first conversations took place in April 2017, backstage, at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in the UK. We were both taking part in GUERRILLA, a live show by Spanish company El Conde de Torrefiel which was crystallising the unease of the troubling present moment. In particular, the unease of being young in the troubling present moment.
We found a commonality during our brief meeting during this time; our relation to space giving and taking and how the practices that we were exploring individually were filled with hidden treasures and guidelines on how we could begin to live more fearlessly from our hearts in connection with others.
Not long after this time, Natalia and her partner Kuba decided Leeds was no longer the right place for them and planned their return to their homeland, Poland.
Before their swift departure, and in hindsight, probably fuelled by their leaving, we decided the time left was too precious not to share in our first public sharing of ‘the Sea of Qi’
The event:
The evening combined movement practices led by myself and Natalia
accompanied by live music from Joseph Love, Huw Goodhead, and Georgie Buchanan.
We offered participants the choice to rest or move with us through a flowing sequence of Qi Gong and Yoga Asana, eventually leading to free improvisation.
Imagine, a sea of people dancing in a sound bath - it was beautiful to experience.
This concept is still developing and growing , we hope to host many more of these gatherings in the near fututre - next in Warsaw, Poland in 2024