Frequently Asked Questions

If you are seeking to learn enjoyable, nurturing self-healing practices for internal strength, relaxation and rejuvenation, set in a stunning natural environment and taught by an expert Tai Chi and Qigong teacher, then this retreat is right for you. Please read the Qigong page for more information about the body-mind health benefits of this healing exercise art. Please read the About page for more information about the qualifications and teaching experience of Shirsha Marie, or contact Shirsha with any questions  here.

Please advise of any injuries, illness or physical limitations you have which you think may affect your ability to participate fully in the retreat. Classes are tailored to take account of injuries to the best of our ability. All retreats are relaxing and energising however some exercises may not be suitable for you. During the retreat you are asked to practice at your own pace, rhythm and level of comfort to best suit your needs. The teacher is not a qualified medical practitioner so all activities are at your own risk.

Early morning classes are energising and wake up the whole system. These are followed by silent walking meditation or sitting meditations. The optional pre-lunch session provides a dynamic workout. Afternoon Qigong classes are deeply relaxing and restorative. These are followed by Qigong self-healing meditations. The evening meditation is a guided relaxation or heart meditation. You can read a daily schedule on each retreat page.

No, attend as many or as few of the sessions as you like. The retreat is your time to enjoy at your own level of participation. However most people attend most of the available sessions as they are very energising and nurturing. There are also plenty of quiet times during the day to rest or book an extra massage or treatment.

Yes, each afternoon there is a long rest period during which you might like to read a book by the pool, swim, have a massage or simply relax. Your attendance to the retreat activities is flexible so you can rest or have an extra session at other times throughout the day.

You will be asked on the booking form to state your dietary requirements. We offer vegetarian or vegan meals using organic or spray free produce. We cater for those requiring a gluten free or lactose free diet.

Our meals use garden fresh spray-free produce, mainly sourced from local farms. Meals are nutritious, abundant and healthy.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the retreat.

Yes, there are many ATM’s in downtown Byron Bay, just 5 mins drive from the retreat.

Costs are on each retreat page, along with the inclusions and exclusions. All retreat prices include lovely accommodation, 3 delicious meals per day, a variety of indoor and outdoor Qigong classes comprised of moving exercises or sitting meditations, daily mindfulness meditation practices and one complimentary massage session. Extra massages and treatments can be booked onsite for an extra fee.

No previous experience of Qigong is necessary to attend. You will be guided into the exercises in a sensitive and comprehensive way. As with all body-mind arts, your understanding and experience is developed with sustained practice. By the end of the retreat you will have gained a good working knowledge of the primary exercises to enable your ongoing practice at home.

Yes, Shirsha Marie has an excellent range of Qigong videos you can purchase here which include the principle exercises taught at the retreat.

We send documents of Retreat Information, the booking process and a Registration Form upon payment of your deposit. These notes include suggestions of what to bring, travelling information, links to airport shuttles etc.

A $600 AUD deposit is payable by our booking platform Humanitix upon application and will be fully refunded immediately if the retreat is full

Upon booking you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive this within 24 hours, please email: shirsha@heartmindcentre.com.au

Please arrange your own airport transfers.

Ages range between 25 and 65, and are about 80% women.

We recommend you bring a mixture of lightweight and warm, comfortable exercise clothing. Layers are best. Also bring soft-soled indoor shoes for training if bare feet present any discomfort, slip-on shoes for leisure, and runners or walking shoes. Bring swimwear, a sunhat, beach towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, toiletries, shampoo and conditioner, a first aid kit, insect repellent, a torch, a journal and/or notebook, water bottle, light raincoat, umbrella and daypack. All linen, bath towels and body soap are provided.

Yes, upon arrival and during first couple of days of the retreat. All additional massages and treatments are to be paid for in advance at the retreat.

Some simple guidelines ensure a harmonious environment. Participants are expected to be vegetarian and cigarette, alcohol and drug-free at the retreat.

Yes we do. Please contact us for more details.

No previous experience in these arts is required to attend. Classes are taught to address all levels of experience. New students are guided through the exercises in a careful, comprehensive way, while the more experienced students receive more advanced guidance at their level.

Tai Chi, Qigong and Warrior Woman give powerful healing for the body-mind system. Although they are working right from the first class, it can take a few weeks to really feel the effects. From then on, with regular sustained practise, these systems steadily accelerate into a dynamic internal energy workout. Over time you can expect your practise to undergo profound transformations. As with all true arts, patience and commitment are required to gain the most benefit from Tai Chi, Qigong and Warrior Woman.

As with all body-mind arts, your understanding and experience is developed with sustained practice. With time you will gain a good working knowledge of the primary exercises to enable your ongoing practice at home. These arts never stop deepening and you gain continual inspiration by coming to classes over a long period of time.

To assist with your home practice there are a series of Qigong videos available to buy on the website here or directly from Shirsha at a class or workshop.

While training in Tai Chi, Qigong or Warrior Spirit will enhance your general health and well-being, the techniques taught in these arts do not provide replacement for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of pathological conditions. If you have an acute or chronic illness or disease, please seek medical attention from a qualified doctor.

Some Tai Chi, Qigong and Warrior Spirit exercises may not be suitable for everyone. If you are unsure about any of the exercises in these Programmes, or if you have any injuries or medical conditions that you think may affect your ability to participate, please consult your medical practitioner first.

The exercises are always performed within a comfortable range of movement. However, please advise of any injuries, illness or physical limitations you have which you think may affect your ability to participate fully. You will need to fill your health details in on our registration form here or at your first class.

Classes are tailored to take account of injuries to the best of our ability. All of the techniques are relaxing and energising however some exercises may not be suitable for you. If in doubt, you must consult with your medical practitioner to unsure if an exercise is suitable for your condition. During the classes you are asked to practice at your own pace, rhythm and level of comfort to best suit your needs.

It is best not to attend a class when you are unwell, for your best care and recovery. If you are unsure of your condition or have specific health-related questions, please seek advice from your medical practitioner or other health care provider. If you have a flu, please do not attend classes until you have recovered, to ensure it does not spread to other participants. Your understanding is appreciated.

Both these arts share many similar principles and forms along with offering the same health benefits for body, mind and energy. Generally speaking though, Tai Chi is a soft-style martial art with very precise forms, while Qigong has more free-form movements and breathwork for wellness. In Qigong practice, most of the exercises are performed in a basic standing posture, and repeated many times over. So they are easier to learn and co-ordinate with deep breathing and open awareness. Tai Chi involves a particular series of many stepping moves which are generally varied and complex and require a more focused awareness. Tai Chi can therefore take longer to master.

This class has been designed by Shirsha Marie as an outcome of over 35 years of experience in personal development modalities along with teaching a broad range of martial arts techniques and meditation. It combines Tai Chi, Qigong, martial arts and Body Psychotherapy moves, which forms a dynamic system of body-mind-energy development. All techniques are taught safely, with careful attention to detail and in harmony with the body’s natural movement. This therapeutic class is fun and empowering.

The class schedule is shown on the Classes page. Tai Chi and Qigong overlap in their foundational principles and training methods, so in some of the classes both these arts are available. Class opens with Qigong for 1.5 hours, followed by the option to continue into Tai Chi training afterward.

All students arrive at the beginning of the class for Qigong. The Qigong students leave after 1.5 hours and Tai Chi students stay on for another 45 mins to learn the traditional Yang Form. In Tai Chi training, the Qigong section functions as an excellent warmup of postural alignment, relaxation methods, circular movement and deep breathing. However, the Qigong section is a complete and powerful training on its own and provides adequate energy-work for most people.

You are welcome to join into a term at any time. Please come along when the motivation arises as this is often the best time to make new life-style choices and embark on a fresh training venture.

Due to the comprehensive nature of information delivered and the need for a dedicated approach to learning, all classes with Shirsha Marie are available by a Term enrolment only. Regular attendance provides a steady physical and mental conditioning and ensures progress in these profound body-mind systems.

Yes, you are welcome to move between the classes to attend at a time which best suit your schedule.

Wear loose, comfortable exercise clothing – stretchy is best. The halls in which weekly classes are taught are not specifically shoe-free, so you are welcome to wear soft-soled footwear that gives you support, or otherwise enjoy bare feet, socks or slippers. Occasionally we train outdoors so bring your most comfortable walking or running shoes.

To secure your place, a $600 deposit is required through Humanitix. Once this fee is received we will contact you to discuss the retreat, your preferred room, and answer any further questions you may have.

If your preferred room is no longer available due to the retreat being already well-booked, and another room does not suit, should you choose to not proceed with the booking then this deposit is fully refundable (minus the Humanitex booking fee of $24).

The balance of your full retreat fee is required 30 days prior to arrival. Guests agree to pay the balance no later than this date. We will send you a notification in advance of this date, for you to transfer this payment directly into our account.

Visa and Mastercard.

Your deposit and/or balance of payment is non-refundable but, if 30 days’ notice is given prior to arrival date, it is transferable to another Medicine of Mindfulness Retreat for use within 12 months. Reservations cancelled within 30 days of arrival will incur a 50% cancellation fee. The remaining 50% will be given as a credit to use at another Medicine of Mindfulness Retreat within 12 months.