Biography

Robert Bowley has a passionate interest in Eastern philosophy, Medicine and the arts. It all started in 1990 whilst I was studying music at the Royal Academy of Music in London. One evening I was visiting a friend at another college when I passed a practice room which had a small sign on the door......‘Beginners Tai Chi Class’.......out of curiosity I walked in. From that moment on I was completely hooked. Sadly I cannot remember the teacher’s name, however, what still remains with me today was her complete openness to share her love of tai chi for the benefit of everyone who came into her class. She was a very caring and thoughtful teacher who knew how to get the very best out of her students. My proudest moment, was when she decided to take me for lessons with her teacher, Gerda Geddes. Those moments I will never forget. This introduction into the Eastern culture sparked a lifelong interest in both the healing qualities and the martial attributes of Tai Chi Chuan. In one particular lesson we were taught about qi or vital energy, the pathways along which it flows and acupressure points. Being very inquisitive I went back home determined to find out more about this fascinating subject. This I did and after many years of study am now a fully qualified Chinese medicine practitioner which includes acupuncture, tui na massage, Indonesian massage, herbal therapy, Chinese dietary therapy and auricular therapy, graduating from the Acumedic Foundation and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine where I also won second prize. This award was presented to me by the Chairman of the Chinese Medical Institute and Register, Prof. Man Fong Mei at the 2008 East-West Medicine Symposium at University College, London. I had for many years not been in the best of health, but thanks to my dedication to Tai Chi it has taken me through a long journey of personal discovery, provided me with the inner strength to get through most of life’s tough challenges and improved my health out of all recognition. Consequently in 2002 whilst studying with Dan Docherty and his senior instructors (Practical Tai Chi Chuan International), I qualified as a Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong instructor and hold regular classes and workshops in East Sussex. I am currently studying Chen-style hunyuan tai chi chuan and wing chun kung fu with Sifu Mark Hobbs at the Kung fu Academy.

Biography

Hosted by MARIE CLAIRE CARLYLE & CHRIS PARADOX. Introduction to 2012 by DIANA COOPER. Vocalists NIKKI SLADE, STEWART PEARCE, CHLOE GOODCHILD, CAROLYN COWAN, JUDITH SEELIG, JESS GOYDER, DIAN BUCKLEY Contributions from ANDREA GARDNER, TIM FREKE, SUSANNE AUSTIN, DAVID OATES, ALISON KNOX, ALAN FORREST SMITH, MARIE O’RIORDAN, COLIN FISHER, RITA HRAIZ, BEAR & ADRIEN MIERAS, JASON CHAN Music from RAVI FREEMAN & FRIENDS, LUCIDIA & RAFAEL, SECOND NATURE, DJ HOPE PATTERSON LIGHTWORKERS CREATING THE CIRCLE TO SUPPORT THE EVENT: DAVINA MACKAIL, RASHEED OGUNLARU, SUE STONE, OCEAN WHITEHAWK, EDEL O'MAHONEY, LIDIA FREDERICO, JOYLINA GOODINGS, STEPHANIE J KING, JOLENE SETTERFIELD, JUDE LEVY, HOWARD PARKER, PAULINE CRAWFORD, JAMES OMPS, PAUL GRIFFITHS, JOEY WALTERS, SAJ P, ELAINE GRIFFITHS, JANINE REGAN-SINCLAIR, MARK WENTWORTH, LYNDA KELLY, DAVID WELLS, BERNADETTE CROSS, CHARLIE TAILLARD, SAMJHANA MOON, RACHEL ELNAUGH

Biography

In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence. The line of Dalai Lamas began as a lineage of spiritual teachers; the 5th Dalai Lama assumed political authority over Tibet.

Biography

In religious terms, the Dalai Lama is believed by his devotees to be the rebirth of a long line of tulkus who are considered to be manifestations of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama is thought of as the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others. The Dalai Lama is often thought to be the leader of the Gelug School, but this position belongs officially to the Ganden Tripa, which is a temporary position appointed by the Dalai Lama who, in practice, exerts much influence. The line of Dalai Lamas began as a lineage of spiritual teachers; the 5th Dalai Lama assumed political authority over Tibet.

Biography

Sing for Water was initiated by composer Helen Chadwick as a project to raise money for WaterAid at the Mayor’s Thames Festival. Over the last ten years, Sing for Water has raised over half a million pounds for WaterAid. To find out more about how you join or create your own event please visit - www.singforwater.org WaterAid uses practical solutions to provide clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people. - www.wateraid.org

Biography

Tony Samara, author of ‘Shaman’s Wisdom,’ ‘From the Heart,’ ‘Different Yet the Same,’ and ‘Deeper than Words’ was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”. This discovery eventually led him to the “Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, USA” where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” He had curiosity to explore further the essence of spirituality and thus went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe including a period of time spent with some highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains. Now people from all over the world visit Tony Samara to take spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence.

Biography

Tony Samara, author of ‘Shaman’s Wisdom,’ ‘From the Heart,’ ‘Different Yet the Same,’ and ‘Deeper than Words’ was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”. This discovery eventually led him to the “Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, USA” where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” He had curiosity to explore further the essence of spirituality and thus went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe including a period of time spent with some highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains. Now people from all over the world visit Tony Samara to take spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence.