Paul Cavel (Senior Instructor)

Paul's interest in martial arts was kindled at an early age.  His first training was in judo, at the age of 14, and later in kung fu.

In 1987, after a motorcycle accident, his interest changed to the internal arts of chi gung and tai chi because of their healing abilities.  Soon after he was introduced to the Taoist Water Method.

In 1994 Paul increased the intensity of his training by remaining in California for a year in order to have more frequent direct teaching from B.K. Frantzis.  He started teaching in 1995, with his teacher's encouragement.

Paul practices the various aspects of the Taoist Arts with an emphasis on the health and healing perspectives.  His personal preference is in Ba Gua and the nei gung that internalizes this art.  Paul chooses to focus solely on the Energy Arts System taught by B.K. Frantzis due to the all encompassing completeness of this pure system.

Paul's teaching is clear, detailed and methodical.  It is also cyclic in nature - reviewing basic material before progressing in order to deepen and embody the nei gung and so advance your practice.

His teaching schedule is organized in conjunction with that of B.K. Frantzis - preparing students for seminars, retreats and Instructor Trainings with B.K. Frantzis so that they are able to absorb a higher level of information.

Based in France, Paul currently teaches classes, seminars and retreats throughout Europe.

 http://www.taodeleau.com

To arrange seminars, retreats or personal tuition with Paul Cavel contact

Belinda Smith Tel: 0033 (0)296 242468

www.taodeleau.com

CRETE RETREAT 2008 

OPENING THE  ENERGY GATES OF YOUR BODY: CHI GUNG

APRIL 27th-MAY 2nd

‘Opening the Energy Gates' is the foundation Nei Gung practice of the Taoist Water Method.  This set teaches how to release physical and energetic blockages through standing and moving energy exercises.  These safe and practical techniques have been developed over thousands of years in order to obtain the most effective and efficient methods possible.

This Crete retreat will focus on the very beginning material within this set working towards depth rather than breadth which makes it ideal for people beginning their work with ‘Energy Gates' or Chi Gung in general.  For those already proficient in Energy Gates we will spend our time reviewing, correcting and deepening the work at hand.  There will be opportunities for questions and discussions on all aspects of Energy Gates.

‘Opening the Energy Gates' is complete in itself and also forms the foundation of all other taoist movement arts such as Tai Chi and Ba Gua.  During this week Paul will be showing the way in which the ‘kwa' creates all stepping and turning motions specifically for Tai Chi.  This course is, therefore, recommended for those who wish to attend any future Tai Chi trainings such as the Tai Chi Short Form retreat in Crete 2009.

LOCATION 

The course is held in the olive grove of the Poyrizos Hotel, situated on the south of the Island of Crete. It is set against a backdrop of beautiful mountains and within easy walking distance of the sea.

ACCOMMODATION

We would highly recommend staying at the Polyrizos hotel.  Rooms cater for 1 or 2 people.  Room share can be arranged through us but cannot be guaranteed. A limited amount of single rooms are available on a first come first served basis.  There are fridges in the rooms but no self-catering facilities

PRICING

Course + food + accommodation

Single room price:            800€

Shared room price:          740€

Course only :                560€

OPENING & CLOSING IN TAOIST NEI GUNG

STUTTGART 

May 23^rd/24^th/25^th 2008

Opening & Closing is one of the major nei gung components for developing yin energy.  It can deeply and completely connect and power the body, creating profound relaxation. In this seminar we will be working with the joints, cavities and central nervous system.

Through Opening & Closing you bypass the solidity of your body, strongly activating the fluids within. From here the jump can be made to the energy directly.  Once this is accomplished the mind moves the chi, the chi moves the fluids and the fluids move the body. With Opening & Closing embodied your exercise becomes truly internal.  With time and practice you can take Opening & Closing into all Taoist Arts.

Initially we will work with simple Circling Hands exercises in order to carry this work into the body.  Once the material is internalized to some degree we will use whichever chi gung exercises you have already learnt in order to deepen and advance you regular practice.  This method enables us to go to a good depth during the weekend with maximum efficiency.

Due to the hands-on nature of this work (basically, lots of two-person exercises involving gentle manipulation of the body), we will cross over into Chi Gung Tai Na and Paul will explain how these exercises work from this perspective.

In comparison to this seminar the Opening & Closing work covered previously has been very basic.  This is the first time that Paul will teach Opening & Closing to this depth and connectedness.

This course is open to beginners 

Please bring a thick blanket or mat 

For further information please contact: Michael Mettner Tel: 0049 (0)714 158637 Email: michael.mettner@t-online.de or visit www.taodeleau.com

Introduction to Taoist Chi Gung with Cloud Hands

Munich

May 30^th & May 31^st 2008

Friday Evening: Nei Gung Introduction 19.00h - 22.00h

This evening is designed as an introduction to Taoist Water Method nei gung practices and so is offered at a lower priced than usual.  We will look at various nei gung components in order to give examples of the type of work involved, such as:

• Alignments to bring out the body's natural strength.
• Lengthening in order to open the body in a circular fashion.
• Breathing in order to massage the internal organs.
• Opening & Closing in order to engage the body's fluids and ‘hydraulic' system

Saturday: Cloud Hands Nei Gung 10.00h - 17.00h (2 hours for lunch)

This movement contains and utilises various several  nei gung components depending upon the person's ability.  During this day we will build the movement of Cloud Hands and integrate the nei gung in order to create a strong, fluid, relaxed yet powerful motion.  This exercise has been used in China for thousands of years to open, heal and strengthen the body whilst increasing one's vitality.  It is here where we realize that soft, subtle motion can contain strength and stability.

Price depending on number of attendees (for 6 people 160, for 12 people 100 EUR)

Price depending on number of attendees  

Maximum amount of attendees limited to 12 people

 For further information please contact Nico Ophoff Tel:  0049 (0)173.485 65 86, Email: nico.ophoff@gmx.de or visit www.taodeleau.com

OPENING & CLOSING IN TAOIST NEI GUNG* 

SUNDAY 22^nd JUNE 2008 

DEEPENING THE MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN & EARTH 

Mellionnec, Brittany, N.W France

The purpose of this one day seminar is to play with the internal content of Opening & Closing.  Using this method we will aim to release the ligaments and engage the fluids in order to allow the central nervous system to "let go" of the body, so creating profound relaxation.

This material will be applied through simple Circling Hands, or for those already practicing the form, the Marriage of Heaven & Earth.

The Opening & Closing work begins in The Marriage of Heaven & Earth, continues in Bend the Bow and is completed in The Gods.  It is in the joints that the Opening & Closing is initiated.  The cavities feed and power the joints.  When the full cavity system is in operation and there is no force or strain in the joints the fluids move strongly in the body increasing chi flow dramatically.  At this stage the ligaments and muscles start to ‘melt' through deep relaxation of the central nervous system. It is when this occurs that the muscles can join in the pulsation of the body.

*Opening and Closing all parts of the physical body (joints, muscles, soft tissue, cavities, internal organs, glands, blood vessels, cerebrospinal system) as well as the body's subtle energy anatomy

Cost 64€

This seminar is open to beginners

Hours: 10h-12.30h & 14h - 17.30h (please bring food to share)

Arrival 9h45, seminar to start at 10h prompt 

Please bring a thick blanket or mat

BRITTANY RETREAT 2008 

Opening & Closing in Taoist Nei Gung

August 17^th - 22^nd 

Embodying Taoist Nei Gung with The Marriage of Heaven & Earth

or

Integrating Taoist Nei Gung with Gods Playing in the Clouds

August 24^th - 29^th 

- THE COURSES - 

This year's retreat is designed as two courses being one interconnected piece of work. Those doing both weeks will gain the most benefit from this teaching. However, each course is complete in itself.

The first week's course will be going deep into Opening & Closing.  When this nei gung is engaged the body is moved from the energy and the fluids more than from the soft tissue. In the second week we will take this package and use it as the driving force to power either the Marriage of Heaven & Earth or Gods Playing in the Clouds.  For those attending the first week only the Opening & Closing work will be put into simple circling exercises where this material can be developed.  Those attending the second week only will be taught the most important aspects of Opening & Closing in order to be able to use this as the driving force.

It is said that without Open & Close there is no tai chi.  Here we are discussing the tai chi space where everything comes together in perfect harmony.  Opening & Closing works towards obtaining the tai chi space through unifying the soft tissue, fluids and energy - so creating very strong, pulsing chi flows in the body.  The mastering of Opening & Closing is a major step towards attaining wu wei (achieving without effort). This is one of the main aims of all Taoist Arts.  With Opening & Closing engaged your exercise becomes truly internal and you are therefore on the path.

Opening & Closing in Taoist Nei Gung

Opening & Closing is one of the major nei gung components for developing yin energy.  It can deeply and completely connect and power the body, creating profound relaxation.  This is one objective of this retreat.  We will be working with the joints, the cavities, the central nervous system and the whole muscular framework.

Through Opening & Closing you bypass the solidity of your body, strongly activating the fluids within. From here the jump can be made to the energy directly.  Once this is accomplished the mind moves the chi, the chi moves the fluids and the fluids move the body.

To keep the breadth and depth of this internal work simple circling chi gung exercise will be used to carry the Opening/Closing material into your body. 

Due to the hands on nature of this retreat we will be crossing over into chi gung tui na (Chinese therapeutic body work). Therefore, Paul will also discuss the Opening & Closing work from this perspective.