1-Day Retreat: Discover Balance and Harmony with 5-Element Qigong, 20 Sept 2025

by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 24, 2025 | Information | 0 comments

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a way to re-balance yourself when you feel ‘out of kilter’. Absolutely!  Through the ancient, revitalising art of 5-Element Qigong you can learn how restore and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.

• When: Saturday 20 September 2025, 9am – 3.30pm. (Please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am)
• Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Friends Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Manurewa, Auckland 2105
• Participants: Adults aged 18+. Beginners will be very welcome.
• Limited to 10 participants

According to ancient Chinese philosophy, everything in the universe (including humans) is composed of five elements – Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. When these five are in harmony, all is well. When they are not, you feel ‘out of balance’, tired and often stressed.

As a qualified qigong instructor, Jocelyn Watkin offers an in-depth opportunity to learn the venerated practice of 5-Element Qigong — a gentle yet powerful sequence of movements based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, which harmonises your movements and breathing in line with the five elements.

The timing of 20 September has been especially chosen. It is just before the Spring Equinox, which is when day and night are in perfect balance, making this the ultimate time to awaken gently from winter’s quiet stillness, to restore harmony within ourselves and realign with the rhythms of nature.

Night and day in perfect balance and harmony during an equinox

This gentle, nourishing retreat will include:

• Guided 5-Element Qigong, which is suitable for all abilities.
• Time in nature to align with seasonal energy.
• Mindful breathing and relaxation.
• A beautiful guided art activity where you’ll make a mandala, symbolising balance and harmony.
• A small, supportive group of adults in a peaceful setting.

Whether you’re new to qigong (pronounced chee-gong) or looking to deepen your existing practice, this retreat is a chance to reconnect with what truly sustains you — inside and out.

Read the reviews and feedback from Jocelyn’s 1-Day qigong retreat in May 2025:

• “One of the best retreats I have ever attended.”
• “It was a nurturing and valuable day to spend time healing myself.”
• “Loved the philosophy and history behind qigong.”
• “I loved the welcoming and accepting atmosphere of the whole day.”

Retreat pricing:

• Early-bird price (up until 1 July 2025): $155 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)
• After 1 July: $175 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)

Limited to 10 participants.

Please check the full refund policy further below.

Please contact me (Jocelyn) if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting me on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will advise options for payment.

What is 5-Element Qigong and why is it so good for you?

The five elements of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire

For thousands of years the Chinese have had a secret. A secret that helps to increase longevity and assists the body to heal from injury, illness and trauma.

That secret is qigong – a deep, meditative breathing and movement exercise that connects the mind to the body.

All qigong has health benefits, as based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, the ancient practice of 5-Element Qigong is a gentle yet especially powerful sequence of breathing and movement focussed on your meridian/energy lines and your internal organs.

At this 1-day retreat you’ll learn:

• About the fascinating five elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire and how, according to TCM, they are believed to exist in everything in the universe, including us humans.
• The ancient history of how these five elements relate to the absolute and infinite potential of Yin/Yang to improve strength and balance.
• How to rebalance yourself when you feel ‘out of kilter’ with the curative power of 5-Element Qigong.
• How the gentle, restorative 5-Element Yin movements support your wellbeing and, according to TCM, also the ongoing health of your meridian lines/energy channels and organs for the spleen (earth), lung (metal), kidney (water), liver (wood), and heart (fire).
• How to self-care and nurture yourself with healing qigong to release tension and stiffness.

By flowing through movements that support each element, 5-Element Qigong brings emotional and physical energy back into harmony.

 What is the Spring Equinox?

Daytime and night-time are of equal length during an equinox

There are only two equinoxes each year.  One in Autumn and the other in Spring.

These happen when the sun is directly overhead at noon on the equator and the Earth’s axis is tilted neither towards nor away from the sun.

This means the length of daylight and the duration of night-time are equal and the world rests in harmony and balance.

According to TCM, practising 5-Element Qigong at the seasonal turning point of the Spring Equinox helps us to:

• Let go of winter sluggishness and stress.
• Gently awaken our energy for the months ahead.
• Improve flexibility, circulation, and organ health.
• Harmonise and centre our thoughts and emotions.
• Connect more deeply with our breath, mind, body, and nature.

 What are mandalas and what sort of mandala will you create during the retreat?

A mandala

A mandala is a geometric, symmetrical pattern of shapes and symbols. The word means ‘circle’ in Sanskrit. A mandala is also known by other names in different cultures. Most mandalas are circular or enclosed in a circular shape.

Since the dawn of time, humans have been drawn to circular forms. Rock carvings found all over the world incorporate round shapes in various ways: spirals, concentric circles, symbols of the sun and moon, and also from nature such as fern fronds.

It is probable that the cycles of nature inspired these artworks, such as day moving into night and back into day, the ever-changing phases of the moon, and the rhythms of the seasons.

Some mandalas have symbolic meanings in several different cultures and religions. For example, sand mandalas, also known as dry paintings, are guides to long-held traditions and are essential for meaningful rituals in meditation, healing, or spiritual journeys.

These symbolic rituals are practised by diverse populations such Native Americans, particularly the Navajo, by Tibetan and Buddhist monks, as well as Indigenous Australians, and also by Latin Americans on certain Christian holy days.

Whatever their purpose across the world, mandalas all have one aspect in common – their pleasing, circular forms are easy-on-eye. They also resonate with most of us on a deeper level as they represent unity, balance, harmony, and inter-connectedness, particularly with the natural world.

Once you start noticing mandala-like forms, you’ll see their influence everywhere – art, architecture, carpets, fabrics and furnishings, mosaics, church windows, and dream catchers, just to name a few.

During this retreat, and with the guidance of your teacher, you’ll create either:

A vibrant window mandala using the colours of the five elements, which you’ll take home as a glowing symbol of harmony and balance.

Window mandalas

Or, if the weather co-operates, you’ll design and build a unique nature mandala (also called earth art) made from leaves, fronds, petals, twigs, etc. On completion, you’ll take a photo of your creation as a lasting reminder of your connection to the elements and the cosmos. You’ll then leave your actual mandala behind to ‘re-wild’ – either back into the earth or to be scattered by the four winds.

A nature mandala (Photograph by Marg Davidson and featured with her kind permission)

At this retreat, you’ll also have time to explore the tranquil Auckland Botanic Gardens

Spring Blossom Valley in the Auckland Botanic Gardens

At the end of the retreat, there will be time for your own self-guided tour of these peaceful gardens. You may like to:

• Take a stroll through Spring Blossom Valley and feast your senses as bright bulbs push through the ground and blossom explodes on the trees. https://www.aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz/our-gardens/spring-blossom-valley/
• Immerse yourself in Shinrin-yoku (Japanese for ‘forest bathing’) in the dappled seclusion of the native bush area.
• Admire the many fascinating and intriguing sculptures throughout the gardens.
• Embark on your own ‘sniffari’ and delight in the aromas of the edible and herb gardens.
• Get dreamy with the palms or in the rose garden.
• Or simply wend your way along the many walkways to refresh your eyes and senses on nature at its best.

Retreat pricing:

• Early-bird price (up until 1 July 2025): $155 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)
• After 1 July: $175 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)

Limited to 10 participants.

Please contact Jocelyn if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting her on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. She will advise options for payment.

About your instructor

Jocelyn Watkin

Jocelyn Watkin is a qualified qigong and tai chi instructor in Auckland, New Zealand, who has been enjoying the health benefits of these ancient Chinese arts for over 20 years.

She has visited China three times, which included training at the sacred Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain), which is the tūrangawaewae of tai chi and qigong. (Tūrangawaewae is a Te Reo Māori word meaning spiritual home or a place to stand where you feel especially connected).

Jocelyn also teaches restorative, nature journaling and mindfulness-based art therapy to help people manage and relieve stress. When combined with the calming, meditative breathing and movement of qigong, creativity becomes even more restorative.

She is the founder and director of Kia Ora Tai Chi  and is registered as a group exercise provider (with own choreography) with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). 

Testimonials about Jocelyn from her May 2025 retreat: 

• “Fabulous – and I am being honest. Your values and respect shine through Jocelyn.”
• “You are positive and affirming and when you help it felt as if you really were focusing on us as individuals.”
• “Pace and variety perfectly pitched without losing depth of understanding.”

Here are all the details of this 1-Day Retreat to Discover Balance and Harmony with 5-Element Qigong

When: Saturday 20 September 2025, 9am – 3.30pm (please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am)

Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Friends Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Auckland 2105

Parking: Plenty of free parking is available in the main car park at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. The Friends Building is a house located next to the main carpark (on the Western side of the car park).

What to wear:  Comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to move in and flat-soled shoes. Please bring a jersey or hoodie to keep warm, as we will be sitting still for some of the time (chairs will be provided for this). If you want to explore the gardens after the retreat, please also bring an outdoor jacket.

Please bring: Your lunch, pen and paper to take notes, filled water bottle and a snack.

Who should attend?
This retreat is open to anyone aged 18+ who seeks to refresh and rebalance their body, mind, and soul. Ideal for beginners and also for tai chi and qigong enthusiasts who want to get more out of their practice.

Please contact Jocelyn to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting her on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. She will advise options for payment.

Cancellation policy

This retreat must be paid for in full to reserve your place.

• Early-bird price (until the 1st July 2025): $155 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)
• After 1st July: $175 per person (100% refundable until 20th July)
• A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 21 July and 20 August
• We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 20th August 2025.

If you are unwell on the day of the retreat (20 September 2025)

Please do not attend if you are sick or have a cold, Covid or ‘flu-like symptoms. In these circumstances, you will be issued with a credit to attend another tai chi or qigong workshop or retreat by Kia Ora Tai Chi.

All participants will need to respect the need for social distancing during the retreat. Anyone is welcome to wear a face mask if they wish.

The room will be well-ventilated and hand sanitiser will be provided.

We will abide by the NZ Government’s health advice and regulations as they apply at the time of this retreat.

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