Spititual Ergonomics

Awareness is carried out through daily life, contributing to positive change in one's physical and mental condition. In this way, every event, every circumstance becomes an opportunity to study ? a gradual practice of detachment from one's egoism, to a simultaneous discovery of the value of others and of one's self and to an understanding of the importance of reciprocal collaboration.

The real joy of life appears when we can unify the principal of yin and yang: human beings and other living creatures, nature and culture, movement and stillness, attachment and detachment, tension and relaxation; when all is harmoniously established.

Taiko drumming

Taiko is a traditional drum, which originally used in ritual and festive occasions in Japan. The drum shell is hollowed from single hardwood and applied cow skin with rivet, and play with large drumsticks. The workshop introduces unique history of Taiko, various basic techniques, forms and hands on ensemble.

Without any special technique or any special training, you can progress with drumming. It's simply a matter of enjoying the sound textures you produce and attuning yourself to other's rhythms. This workshop will provide enjoyment of the drumming and spontaneous harmony with others.

Strike an object or clap your hands and you make a sound. The initial impact, the rhythm, and the waves you produce are just different aspects of the same thing. The difference is merely a matter of scale, or of frame of reference.

Ecstasy, awe, benevolence, intransigence - each has its own rhythm and energy. Inside you the undulating energy wells up. Breath is directly related to mind and there is a Ki stream inside your body.

These are the most immediate, physical manifestations of the mind. Music provides us with a means for their direct impression; it is possible to communicate with others in real time, without symbols, using sound as the only medium. It is also possible to provide energy from the sounds or get the energy from others.

Even an instrument with simple structure is capable of a multitude of different tones, and consequently has the capacity to convey a broad range of feeling. Drumming expresses duration and delves into perceived time and its interstices and thus explores the very substance of our existence.

Introduction

Dozen is one of three phases of Zen meditation; Za-zen (sitting), Do-zen (moving) and Ritsu-zen (standing). Dozen is simply described as ‘Zen in motion'. Dozen is a medium to develop dialogue with body, spiritual and physical stability, coexistence, and to design and maintain balanced life thorough Taiko drumming.

Taiko Dozen is a unified training program for the realisation of a balanced life through daily practices. The various traditional Japanese art forms e.g. Taiko drumming and calligraphy are used for the purpose of self-development. Taiko Dozen is developed through the concept of Spiritual Ergonomics: to see matters from a spiritual perception by sensing what is ‘right' in order to find a balance within body-heart-mind. In other words, Feng Shui for the spirit using Taiko drumming as the medium. It focuses on the context of Tanden/hara: concentration on the centre in the lower abdomen which develops physical and spiritual stability, and re-establishes connection between the body and mind.

Taiko Dozen provides various training programs to suit the individual such as

1:

Taiko Encounters: an intensive training program for the realisation of traditional Japanese arts principals, held at the Shudojo, Colbordolo (PU) Italy

2:

Taiko Fellowship: residence base intensive Taiko training, held at Mu Farm Dojo, Sunshine Coast

3:

Catered Taiko Workshop and Presentation for community, group and school

Taiko Fellowship at MU FARM

Taiko Fellowship is an intensive workshop, which focuses on basic principals such as breathing, posture, relation between body-mind, and ensemble work with sound. The residence base training program is focuses on realisation of re-connection between body-heart-mind through various traditional Japanese artforms such as Taiko drumming, Calligraphy and Sumi-e.

Dojo is a residential training centre where physical and mental training are integrated into daily life, whether it be a centre for learning Taiko, tea ceremony, cooking, martial arts, movement, calligraphy and Japanese brush painting. These art forms have the purpose of improving a person and helping them to find truth ? through communion with the guide and other participants.

Taiko Fellowship 1.5 days menu (example)

Cost (GST inclusive) per person

Note: the fee is GST inclusive