with Ron Hershey & Teresa Peppard
After a long, cold snowy winter, spring can be an exciting time. Out of the quietude of hibernation, the newly expansive energy of the earth, as it sends up new growth, is a wonder to witness each year. But refreshing as it might be, for many of us, this transition isn’t always an easy or graceful one, physically or emotionally. Seasonal changes require a big shifting of internal gears that can tax our body’s ability to self regulate, which in turn can trigger allergies, illnesses and an increased sense of stress and strain.
Two long-time collaborators, Teresa Peppard and Ron Hershey have created this short retreat to help ease the transition, physically and emotionally. Utilizing simple Tai Chi and qigong movement exercises, as well as breathwork, neither of which require any previous experience, this retreat will serve as a gently powerful re-set for the nervous system, helping to foster a greater resilience and ease in dealing with stress and anxiety.
HOW TO PREPARE
- Please bring a small throw blanket and comfortable neck pillow if available.
- Yoga mats and blocks will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own.
- We also recommend bringing non-skid socks for the movement work.
TEACHERS
Teresa Peppard is a NYS Licensed massage therapist practicing in Putnam County for the past 24 years. She is also a 30 year practitioner and teacher of Tai Chi Ch’uan and continues her studies with 4th Generation Master Alex Dong of NYC.
Tai Chi Ch’uan is a meditative movement practice rooted in the Chinese martial arts. It is known for harmonizing body and mind by focusing on slow, gentle movements that increase awareness of the body’s alignment, balance and coordination. Tai Chi’s graceful forms also help to nourish the body/mind as it soothes the nervous system. Teresa is a life-long student who enjoys exploring the gifts of this ancient art form as it applies to modern life. Perhaps the greatest gift of all is witnessing students become empowered to care for their own well-being, body, mind and spirit, in challenging times.
Ron Hershey is a nationally board-certified acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist in practice for 29 years at East Mountain Acupuncture in Croton, NY. For the past 14 years, he has studied and taught Breath Body Mind, an approach that combines simple coordinated movements borrowed from Chinese Qi Gong and a technique known as Coherent Breathing, to help modulate the stress response . Breath-Body-Mind has been found helpful in the treatment of PTSD and has been taught to armed forces veterans returning from combat zones, as well as to large groups as part of mission relief work in disaster areas such as civil-war torn Sudan and Rwanda, post-tsunami Japan, and in post-9/11 New York City, to traumatized first responders.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There are Single, Double and Dorm rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.
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