My Training Offers

I was first introduced to Taoist meditation and healing arts more than 25 years ago, while living and working with the British Council in China, and later Hong Kong and Vietnam. Throughout the following 15 years or so, I continued to train and practice as work commitments allowed, and was introduced to additional meditative and healing traditions while in Egypt and India. Over the years, this provided a firm foundation in the ancient Eastern traditions of self-development and self cultivation, and the attainment of balance between body, mind, soul and spirit. My work then brought me back to the UK, which enabled me to add a western perspective to these ancient traditions, through the study and practice of conscientology – or the study of expanded consciousness - as taught by the Monroe Institute in Virginia, USA, and the International Academy of Conscientology in London. This synthesis of Eastern and Western perspectives has helped my understanding of the deeper teachings of Taoist philosophies and practices, and is reflected in my teaching. Like many others who follow a path of self development and spiritual quest, I decided on a major life change in the late 1990s after a serious illness made me question my priorities. It was at this point that, completely unexpectedly, I happened across a flier for a talk by Master Mantak Chia in London, where I was then living. The talk on that occasion struck a deep chord, and as a result, I spent several years studying and practicing in London and Tao Gardens, from the foundation of the Inner Smile to the internal alchemy of Greatest Kan and Li, In 2002, I was certified as an Instructor of the core practices of the Universal Healing Tao, including Qigong/6 Healing Sounds, Inner Smile, Microcosmic Orbit, Tai ch’i, Iron Shirt, Dao Yin and Healing Love. I was also drawn into the practice of Chi Nei Tsang, which I have found to be one of the most powerful healing modalities I have encountered. I studied CNT both with Master Chia, and with Senior Instructor Rene J. Navarro whose background in Acupuncture provided an invaluable grounding in the principles and diagnostics of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I was certified in CNT Practitioner level 1 in the USA, and level 2 in Tao Garden, Thailand. At that point, after many years involved in teaching, and international development work, I decided the time had come to change direction, and follow my spiritual path. So, over the last 7 years, I have taught and practised in UK and internationally, and have used both the core Universal Healing Tao practices and Chi Nei Tsang to assist people suffering from a variety of syndromes, both physical and emotional. In my experience, these practices contribute to the building of self esteem and self empowerment, as well as holistically reconnecting the body, mind and emotions in self healing and spiritual growth. I have also continued to develop my own practices and study, gaining certification in Tuina, which compliments Chi Nei Tsang, and being formally authorized to teach Damo-Qigong and Wudang Taoist Internal Alchemy. I have now returned to Edinburgh in my native Scotland, and feel that I have found the right place to continue my life, not only offering classes and treatments, but also conducting residential courses, workshops and seminars in the ancient landscapes of Scotland where the Qi is vibrant and highly charged. There is nothing I enjoy more than feeling the strong connection to the primal forces as I practise, except, perhaps, the great pleasure of teaching others the practices, so that they, too, can feel and absorb the universal Qi! I can be contacted on muriel@river-of-jade.com or murielkirton@gmail.com, and hope to publish a website in the coming months.