This page will be updated soon with images of the 2027 Venue in Ponte Lima, Portugal.
Meanwhile, you can look at the last edition’s programme, which will be the same. The photos and place details are from our Cyprus retreat in 2025.
TAI CHI TEACHER TRAINING in Portugal
From 31st July to 7th August 2027
7-Day INTENSIVE Immersion – Certification Training
Tai Chi means Ultimate Force, which for me, Anamarta, is a way of life!
The greatest Meditation in Motion I came across, uniting us in perfect harmony with Earth below and Heaven above, Yin and Yang, which benefits body, mind and spirit!
Tai Chi is the essence of Feminine Empowerment, connecting with higher forces on the spiritual path (see videos below) or simply harmonising with the environment and alleviating the effects of stress.
All Women are Welcome:
Join Us in this Unique Tai Chi Qigong & Self-Defence Training!
If you want to learn something new, develop, and evolve your Tai Chi Qigong practice, and take it as a Health and Self-Healing Re-TREAT in your Tao (Way) of Feminine Empowerment. Or this + you would like to get a recognised qualification. This is for you!
In a beautiful venue with our in-house chefs.
There are no specific pre-requisites for Level 1 Training besides an interest in Tai Chi Qigong. No experience is necessary for this level as you can see below from the Outline syllabus. Whatever your standard for Tai Chi Qigong, Level 1 Training will show you how to improve it or learn it from scratch.
Sharpen the Mind, Strengthen the Body, Light the Spirit!
Meet Your Teaching Team
With a combined experience of 27 years between them and expertise in the Healing Tao Arts, of which Tai Chi and Qigong are part. You can find our interview at the foot of this page.
ANAMARTA
Called a Trailblazer in Feminine Empowerment. A Taoist Master by the Independent Newspaper.
Senior Instructor from the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and creatrix of Kuan Yin Qigong, an important part of the Jade Egg Holistic Practice. I dedicate my life to helping women access their radiant health and self-empowerment. I’m a pioneer of the Tao of Feminine Empowerment, holding the Jade Circle® worldwide for most of my adult life. Women describe my teachings as life-enhancing and, for many, life-changing.
I had the pleasure of facilitating Tai Chi and Qigong Teacher Trainings for nearly two decades, having qualified many students. I have also witnessed how Tai Chi is suitable for any age: my youngest student was 11 and the oldest 82.
VALENTINA MINA
Is our hostess and will be teaching the Kuan Yin Qigong:
She has been a committed advanced student who become a dear sister. She has a great gift for putting the practice across and supporting others.
Valentina has experienced first-hand the strengthening and empowering effects of the Qigong practice both physically, mentally and emotionally, and she is excited and honoured to share this ancient wisdom with you.
13 Movements, 9 Directions, 5 Elements, 3 Treasures, Yin and Yang:
To learn or evolve with our graceful Tai Chi Form, and the Benefits which this ancient whole-body exercise has in all levels of your being.
We practice:
A short Yang Family 13-Movements, 9 Directions, Yin and Yang – which evolved from Taoist Master Kris Deva North’s studies with Grandmaster Mantak Chia’s Tai Chi Qigong, and the Push Hands from Master Lim of Penang, a student of one of the greatest Tai Chi Masters from the last century, Cheng Man Ching.
I feel honoured to be part of this lineage and deeply grateful to my teachers. And of course, my students too, for the opportunity to share this Taoist Art with the emphasis on feminine empowerment.
Scroll Down for the video of this Tai Chi form.
Something special for this training will be the optional model of Tai Chi Stick-Fighting. Connect with your Inner Warrior!
Why Meditation in Motion?
Taoists consider TAI CHI one of the highest forms of Moving Meditation, harmonising Yin & Yang. And QIGONG of Standing Meditation, for grounding and rooting.
Together they improve:
*Fitness, *Flexibility, *Balance, *Posture.
*Relaxing the Mind and *Lifting the Mood.
*Effective Ways To Manage Stress while at the same time giving a fantastic *Energy Boost!
Tai Chi & Qigong can be practiced at any age for health, to enhance our protective energy field (aura), and to strengthen our physical and energetic immune system.
Why Self Defence?
Tai Chi is originally a fighting art, although practiced as Meditation in Motion, each movement has a self-defence application, and learning, it will help you to master the form quickly. Also will contribute to:
*Build Confidence,
*Turn Stress Into Vitality,
*Inner Strength for Inner Peace,
*Connect with the Inner Warrior, while revitalising your whole being!
*Train the body and mind on how to respond effectively to life’s challenges.
Have you noticed that people who do Tai Chi seem to stand straighter yet more relaxed, and move more easily with a kind of fluid grace? Have you wondered why and how? Well, above is your answer.
But there are More Benefits!
In the double-helix spirals of Tai Chi, we reunite the Yin and Yang forces of our creation to ebb and flow throughout our meridian network, feeding the organs that sustain our life. We open and stimulate the meridians, the energy-flow channels, enabling the bio-electro-magnetic force, Qi or Chi, to come full charge as we do the slow graceful form.
Training & Syllabus
Teacher Training is an intensive 7-Day Immersion program. Whatever your standard of Tai Chi, this Training will improve it, whether or not you decide to go for your Instructor qualification. This week is designed for you to have your assessment during the retreat, allowing you to embody your practice. Scroll on down to see what’s required to qualify, so you can tailor your own aims accordingly:
- To attain a level of certification and embody the Tai Chi form.
- And/or: To enjoy a week of intensive learning, meeting like-minded people, making new friends, and laying a solid foundation for future certification.
With your Instructor Certification, you will have gained the knowledge, skills and experience to find, recruit, and inspire, Tai Chi Qigong learners. Including the challenges of Group Dynamics and the knowledge to answer questions about origins, theory, practice and applications.
The aim of our Certified Instructor Training is to train and certify Tai Chi Qigong Teachers by:
*** Providing inspiring and educational training in Tai Chi and underlying theory to a high standard of personal achievement.
*** Delving into Ancient Secrets for Modern Women to take their self-care, well-being and empowerment to another level.
*** Providing comprehensive instruction in teaching techniques.
*** Sharing the knowledge and understanding of how to find, recruit, motivate, teach and retain learners.
Teaching already?
Here’s a fantastic opportunity to provide your students with new, fresh, and interesting variations to amplify their Tai Chi Qigong experience with you.
Starting to teach?
Take the chance to attract a whole new range of potential students with the various things you are going to learn – below in the Outline Syllabus.
Or are you simply keen to develop your personal practice?
The Time Is Now, The Power Is You!
Our vision is to develop a team of Tai Chi Qigong Teachers to expand awareness of this wonderful practice and the many benefits it can bring to people of all ages and backgrounds. Just think, it could be YOU as the Agent of Change for the Better in the lives of others. Can’t you almost feel the satisfaction already?
The facilities are in keeping with the high standards of tuition, training and commitment!
Outline Syllabus
TAI CHI QIGONG Warm-up & Beyond
- Aloha to the Sun.
- Kuan Yin Qigong – besides grounding and centering, offers gentle, but profound exercises for the whole body, including the pelvis.
- Chi Self Massage – body wellbeing and hormonal balance.
- At intermediate levels, Steel Body Qigong Standing Like a Mountain.
- Energiser Breathing.
- Tai Chi Walk.
- Tai Chi Step-Shift & Look.
TAI CHI & SELF-DEFENCE
- Form & Simple Applications.
- 5-Element Tai Chi, Intermediate Applications.
- Introduction to Healing, Martial, Advanced Applications.
- Introduction to Extension and Fast Form.
PUSH HANDS
- Pushy, Sticky, Tricky.
- Evens: Parallel, Oblique.
- Evens: Elevated, Moving, Freestyle.
Theory
- Tai Chi for Feminine Empowerment, Anamarta’s Kuan Yin Qigong and the Jade Egg Holistic Practice.
- How to Teach: Methods of Instruction.
- Overall Benefits, History, Traditions.
- 5-Elements Theory and how it can work for effective Tai Chi.
- Organ-Meridian Networks. Anatomy & Physiology for Tai Chi.
- At Advanced Levels, Points – Healing & Martial.
- Business Development – finding & keeping students.
- Health & Safety: What You Need to Know.
The training includes talks, demonstrations and conversations about the traditions and history of Tai Chi, its many benefits constantly being mentioned by such as Harvard Medical School, and the more advanced theory and secret practices of the higher levels.
Valentina and I, Anamarta are looking forward to welcoming you!
Here’s a glimpse of the martial art application and advanced practice.
Investment
Please contact us to join the Waiting List for the 2027 edition in Portugal.
This offer is per person for sharing a room. Single occupancy is possible at an extra cost. Please contact us.
Including:
- 35 hours of professional training.
- Accommodation with ensuite bedrooms.
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, with snacks and water.
- Transfers from and to Paphos Airport (15min. journey).
- Training Course manual.
- Videos to practice each movement you learn.
- Certification and Documentation.
Does Not Include: flights, local travel, personal expenses, or subscriptions.
You can guarantee your place with a £297 deposit. It is not refundable; as per our Terms & Conditions, we trust you are committed as we are.
Contact:
anamarta@jadecircleanamarta.com
Accommodation
Many years ago in Hawaii, practicing the form with Kris Deva North.
Certification
100% of attendance during the retreat is a pre-requisite to get your qualification. The daily programme will be in the Training Manual. From morning to afternoon we have classes with breaks and meals. In the evening we have a theory class.
Your Tai Chi Teacher Training Manual contains full information on what you need to know, to do, and how this is evaluated.
Each Level is a pre-requisite for the next.
Level 1 – TC1(1) JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
Teach Kuan Yin Qigong Warm-Up and Chi Self-massage, Basic Tai Chi; Push Hands Pushy, Sticky, Tricky.
Demonstration & explanation.
No pre-requisites.
Eligible for TCUGB (Tai Chi Union for Great Britain).
Level 2 – TCI(2) INTERMEDIATE INSTRUCTOR
Teach Steel Body Qigong Stand Like a Mountain with Energiser Breathing; Intermediate Tai Chi; Push Hands Evens: Parallel, Oblique.
Demonstration, explanation and corrections.
Pre-requisites: TCI1 and Jade Egg Initiation – Step 1
Eligible for TCUGB (Tai Chi Union for Great Britain).
Level 3 – TCI(3) ADVANCED INSTRUCTOR
Teach Advanced Tai Chi; Push Hands Elevated, Moving, Freestyle.
Demonstration, explanation and correction.
Pre-requisites: TCI2, Intermediate Kuan Yin Qigong (KYQG2) and Jade Egg Mastery – Step 5.
Eligible for TCUGB (Tai Chi Union for Great Britain).
In Aphrodite Land, the Goddess of Love & Beauty, aka Venus by the Romans.
Not far from the beach that is believed to be Aphrodite’s birthplace.
With the opportunity to top up on Vitamin D for the Winter.
The average temperature is 20ish Degrees.
Goddesses do Martial Arts!
In Ancient China traditionally a Taoist Practitioner does it all: meditations, sacred sexual practices/ art of bedchamber, shamanic healing, and Martial Arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong (an internal martial art). This is how I learned in the modern days, so it is just not for ancient goddesses!… It is part of the Tao of Feminine Empowerment.
I shared the Goddesses Do Martial Arts! An article in which I developed this subject and share my story: how a self-defence movement of the Tai Chi form I had learned in less than six months from when I started my training eighteen years ago, saved me from an attacker.
More Tai Chi Benefits:
*** Apart from what we in the Tao have known for millennia, and mentioned already, stress relief, harmony with yourself and your environment, power to defend yourself, and a sense of deep inner peace – a Harvard Study confirms: benefits to Muscle Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Aerobic Conditioning… and “…appears to be helpful for several medical conditions…”
*** Wall Street Journal “Qi can’t be measured objectively, says Shin Lin, a professor of cell biology at the University of California, Irvine. But his studies of qigong and tai chi practitioners have found a boost both in alpha brain waves, suggesting relaxation, and beta waves, indicating strong focus. “It has the dual benefit of relaxing you, but also sharpening your mind,” says Dr Lin.
*** Reuters report shared this link: “Research studies have found that (Tai Chi) practice increased mineral bone density, boosted endurance, strengthened the lower, and eased depression.”
Discover a spiritual aspect in the graceful spirals of the Tai Chi form.
Learn Tai Chi as shamanic theatre, celestial combat, rooted in Earth and played in the human dimension. Yang advances, Yin withdraws, and Harmony prevails. Learning the Way of the Hidden Masters gives a sense of reality to this ancient art as we emulate the heroes of then, the warriors, the fighting nuns (and monks), and the priestesses (and priests).
Healers and Martial Artists use Tai Chi & Qigong to improve external Qi-projection and internal rooting. The combination of these supports the steady grounding which keeps them safe and healthy.
Beyond the Basics:
Whatever you did already Training at the Jade Circle® Anamarta or you would like to start.
As you combine the Hidden Masters practice of Tai Chi with the Five Steps of the Jade Egg Training in the Tao of Feminine Empowerment, you learn to integrate the power techniques of Kuan Yin and Steel Body Qigong, the psychic self-defence of Fusion Mediations and the extra-sensory perception of the Tao of the Shamaness, utilising the Inner Eye to anticipate, disappear and counter. And the rootedness developed by this stage keeps us safe when practising astral projection in the higher meditations.
Amenities:
OUR INTERVIEW
(Please note the dates mentioned are from our first edition in 2024)