In the lands of the vast sky,
within temple walls protected by Dragon,
a small group of priestesses, warrior-hearted, are gathering.
The size of close friends reuniting,
this intimacy builds our connection strong.
We meet the day fully present in practice,
in ceremony, in devotion, with discipline, alive with feeling.
We begin in silence, sitting,
Tea is there, and we meet Her ceremonially;
and from the empty center, we move
in form mimicking the turning cosmos.
We walk the trails outside our temple gate, and
gazing out into the expanse we are met with our own breadth.
We harmonize our steps in time with the pulse of nature’s rhythm, and,
boundless, we vow our compassion and simplicity.
DRAGON AND THE sword
Ceremonial Qigong & Gongfu Sword
under the Warrior Priestess Way
1-10 AUGUST 2024 | Santa Fe, New Mexico
*Open to those who identify as women, female/feminine, or are non-binary female-bodied
THE GODDESS, THE DRAGON, THE SWORD
Quan Yin,
the One Who Hears and Tends to the Cries of the Suffering,
we call on you with reverent gratitude.
With honor and respect we call on Dragon,
emissary of the One beyond the two of Yin & Yang,
protector of the Goddess,
diety of the waters,
master alchemist and great transmuter.
To these two ally guides we bow
while we hold the moon to embrace the Sword.
It is the blade that teaches us to stand tall
with integrity, nobility, and responsibility,
and it is the blade that serves as our mirror as we look
upon this world. May we learn from the Sword
how to wield our own energy righteously,
with humility, and with grace.
The Pearls of Our Disciplined Practice
THE FORM
A sample of our structure
Thursday 1 Aug - Saturday 10 Aug
*We will be practicing Noble Silence each morning, as well as
a full day of silence on Day 5.
Day 1 | Arrival Day
Arrival 2.30p
Opening Tea Ceremony 4p
Orientation 5p
Light Dinner 530p
Opening Invocation Qigong 630p
Guided Meditation 730p
Sunset Practice 8p
Rest 830p
Days 2-9 | *Day of Silence on Day 5
Wake 5a
Meditation 5.45a
Sunrise Practice 6.15a
Breakfast 630a
Morning walk + Qigong 730a
Sword 8.30a
Tea Ceremony + Heart Shares 11a
Lunch 12.30p
Midday Rest 1.30
Stretch 3.30p
Qigong or Gongfu Practice 4p
Light Dinner 5.30p
Evening Practice 6.30p
Meditation 7.30p
Sunset Practice 8p
Nighttime Rest 8.30p
Day 10 | Departure Day
Wake 5a
Meditation 5.45a
Breakfast 6.30a
Tea Ceremony 7.30a
Seated Qigong 8.30a
Farewell 9a
Shuttle Departure 9.45a
For you, if the Sword has been talking to you.
If you have a heart impulse toward this place & practice,
follow it.
There’s a reason you feel drawn here.
THE dragon & sword PRAYER
With honor, respect, and gratitude
I call on the Warrior Priestess within.
To the one who embraces the Sword
and cradles the Moon as one act, I call.
May I hold the blade on the vertical axis,
its reflective surface before my eyes.
From the Dragon’s head
I cast forth the Dragon’s tail
to pierce the veil,
so that I know the truth of my being—
I exist as a microcosm for the whole existence,
perfect, complete, and whole
in this moment
forever now.
These are the words we speak when we recite the Quan Yin Gongfu Invocation. May they be alive for you right now, and may they serve as both prayer and blessing upon you, as they have for me, and all those who have taken the Sword in Hold the Moon stance.
Alta y Seca
Alta y Seca is the name given to this “high and dry” sanctuary. Our Quan Yin Gongfu Practice Temple and Quarters are set to the west of the home of our dearest friends, next door to whom we are blessed to live.
We’re tucked into a very quiet neighborhood on 12 acres, surrounded by northern New Mexico wilderness, with trails that lead right out from the driveway (which is guarded by our very own dragon, by the way).
Grateful to have landed unexpectedly back in New Mexico, my deepest respect and appreciation goes to those who have stewarded this land over the many years before us as well as presently. The Ute, the Tewa, and the Pueblo Peoples have my bow every day.
I also want to offer my thanks and reverence to the more-than-human beings who hold court here in this part of the earth: Coyote, Raven, Eagle, and Puma; Piñon, Juniper, Chimayo, and Cholla; Moss Rock, Quartz, and Turquoise.
NOURISHMENT
BY KAJA OF INFINITE LIGHT WITHIN
We know that everything is energy, and that the energies we choose to consume (in all the ways) build us up & impact us throughout our day. In our time together we will experience food as medicine.
Kaja Pool, with whom you may know from our QYG community, will be prayerfully making the food and drink we take in each day. She reflects that for her, “cooking has always been a meditation & art form.”
Kaja cooks with whole ingredients, and prioritizes cooking from scratch, with deep gratitude & respect. Approaching the practice of nourishment with reverence is important to her, as it is for this community.
Local, organic ingredients are prioritized for our menu, and any animal proteins we may bring in will be in alignment with this integrity as well.
3 MEALS A DAY + SNACKS & BEVERAGES
BODYWORK
BY DJUNA OF SUNCAT WELLNESS
Djuna has spent the majority of her working life in the hospitality industry. It gives her the greatest pleasure to be in service to others.
Djuna had two children in her early 20's and spent their early years focused on their care. A part of her soul awakened in her mid twenties and she could no longer exist in the community she grew up in. It was the greatest shift of her life and through it Djuna met her current life partner, Daniel. They’ve been drifters for the past few years, but finally landed in the Santa Fe area.
“I feel a reinvigorated inspiration as we get to know what Dune calls ‘desert power,’ says Djuna.
She’s a licensed massage therapist working with Swedish, deep tissue, and fascial techniques to increase energetic flow and to allow the body to come to peace.
Massages are available to book ahead of time (email Djuna HERE) or as needed, to be scheduled during the midday breaks. Please note, the cost is not included in your registration and will be paid directly to Djuna.
“I am fresh from one of the best weeks of my life.”
“I knew this week probably would be magical. I had a feeling it would help me through a threshold of understanding and into an unknown so sparklingly alive and potent, the kind I have seen in the dome of the darkest ancient night sky.
And so … it’s no surprise that here I found those mythic realms are near and accessible to me. So near, I can touch them and be touched by them. Here I become the hero of my own story, holding up the cauldron of my mythic becoming alongside sisters clear and loving, courageous, vulnerable, willing and eager.
And now with this resounding nourishment, anything is possible. I am fortified.
What is it to live as a priestess and practice in a temple. In Brea’s generous realm, I found it is as simple as answering the call of my desire, asking to slip through the veil to meet my teachers, take off my mask, open my heart and listen, all the while praying for guides to illuminate my path.
If you are able and ready to commit to transformation, if you trust your heart to know it is right for you to be here, I can tell you with certainty, you will be changed.”
- Susan Bickford
ACCOMODATIONS & REGISTRATION
Though spaces are limited, there are several options to choose from. The rate includes your meals, your quarters, and your tuition.
Through July 1 all rates reflect the Early Bird discount; after that date the rates increase by $300.
THE CASITA | This is where everyone will rest and be nourished. Sleeping arrangements are split between three rooms, there are two bathrooms, and a large, central community space. The beds are cozy, and the art is finely curated.
Sleep comes easy here, lulled by the vast landscape of the Galisteo Basin beyond, at whose edge we’ll practice to offer thanks in Qigong prayer each morning. We’ll also practice indoors, within the pristine temple space that is, in its off-temple time, Pow Hunter Gallery, run by my other half.
THE QYG TEMPLE | The practice space has hardwood floors and clean white walls; it’s simple and clear, with a dividing room dedicated to our dawn and dusk meditations, or at any time you need to go within yourself during the breaks.
Private Room | Queen
(Sold out)
This room is set back from the other two; the shared bathroom with shower is directly across the hall.
Shared Master Suite | King
(Sold out)
This is for you if you’d like a roomie. You’ll have the big bed and share the luxurious master bath, complete with shower and soaking tub.
Shared Master Suite | Queen
$2955 | $2655 Earlybird rate
Your roommate will be on the other side of this beautiful large room, you’ll sleep on the comfortable queen-size pull-out, and you’ll share the luxurious master bath, complete with shower and soaking tub.
Private Sunroom | Full
(Sold out)
This room has the best views in the whole house. During meal times it gives back patio access to all practitioners; during mid-day and night rest times we close this access for your privacy.
Campsite | Tent or Vehicle
(Sold out)
There are multiple flat areas to pitch your own tent and you can request a 3” memory foam mattress topper from us to help you sleep deeply on the earth. We also have plenty of spots to park, with or without a hookup. Your bathroom with shower, within our practice space, will be shared with the other campers.
FaQ
-
If you’re flying in, it will most likely be into Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), but there’s also an airport in Santa Fe.
Albuquerque is about an hour away; Santa Fe is about a 25 minute drive.
-
You can rent a car, hire a shuttle, or take the Rail Runner train to Santa Fe for $9.
As our dates near, there may be other practitioners with whom you can coordinate to share a ride; and we can help connect you.
With your pre-arranged request, we can make one trip to Santa Fe (with stops at either the Depot or Zia Road stations or both) to pick you up with other practitioners the day of arrival, and we’re able to do one group drop-off the day of departure.
Please make sure to book flights that make space for you to arrive and depart in time without missing anything.
Find the Weekday RailRunner train schedule HERE and look to Northbound times from Downtown ABQ to Santa Fe Depot or Zia Road. The last train for your arrival in time to check in well is the 12:24p departing train from downtown ABQ (with 2:08p arrival time to the Santa Fe Depot).
Find the Saturday Rail Runner train schedule HERE and look to Southbound times from Santa Fe Depot or Zia Road to Downtown ABQ. Keep in mind the train leaves at 10:13a sharp from the Zia Road station, so our group shuttle will depart at 9:45a. You’ll arrive to downtown ABQ at 11:31a.
-
Please plan to be at the QYG Practice Temple between 3-4p on Day 1 (no early check-ins please). There will be snacks set out for you, but eating lunch before your arrival is wise.
We’ll begin promptly at 4:30p for our opening tea ceremony.
Check out is on Day 10 at 11a sharp.
If arriving by air, make sure to book flights that make space for you to arrive and depart in time without missing any part of our finely-curated schedule.
-
Accommodations for 10 days/9 nights,
3 meals each full day + snacks & all the nourishing bevies you need
Daily Ceremonial Qigong, Gongfu Sword, Taiji, and Tea
Warmups, cool downs, stretching, and modification guidance on movements
Heart Shares: our practice of witnessing ourselves and each other neutrally and with compassion
Sunrise and sunset witnessing
-
Transportation to and from the airport
Trip book-end accommodations if you decide to arrive and/or stay additional nights in New Mexico
Any massages you book with Djuna during the midday breaks
-
Your registration + deposit is your commitment to the space. Your payment options are payment in full or with a 3-month payment plan (adds a 2.7% processing fee).
If you’re flying in, especially from overseas, I recommend you get travel insurance for your trip so that you can be reimbursed through that if you get sick beforehand and cannot make it. If you cannot attend because you get ill— COVID or otherwise, you can either transfer your fee to a future QYG offering or you can have another woman take your spot.
In any case that you cancel your registration, your deposit is non-refundable.
If, in extreme emergency, we need to cancel the immersion for any reason, your payment will be reimbursed or transferred to a future offering as you prefer.
-
For you, if you seek time in practice with like-hearted women (and those who identify as female/feminine, and who are non-binary female-bodied).
For you, if you’re curious about ceremonial internal arts and martial arts, ritual practices, living a life of kindness and discipline, and building a relationship with our allies: Quan Yin, Dragon, and Pearl.
You DON’T need to have any prior experience with Qigong, Gongfu, Taiji, or Tea to attend and receive well from this immersion.
-
You need absolutely no experience and you don’t need your own sword.
You can learn everything fresh, alongside those who are also beginners as well as those practitioners who can serve as guides for you. We’ll likely be a group of practitioners of a range of experience levels.
Brea has plenty of swords for everyone at the practice temple.
