Tao & Yin

A retreat-like 3-day course, discovering and embodying Taoism - the wisdom of following “the Way” of all things in order to bring continued balance and harmony to your mind, body and soul.

Why do things sometimes seem to fall naturally into place whilst at other times everything is a struggle; and how can we know what to do to have things flow more smoothly? This is the central question we explore in Tao & Yin.

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Who is this course for?

  • Tao & Yin will be one of the most nourishing and satisfying experiences you will undertake.

    Created as a journey of learning and understanding, this retreat-like experience is rich in conversational exchange into the “way” of all things, whilst giving us the opportunity to marinate in the concepts through twice-daily practices of gentle yin yoga, breath work, and meditative absorption.

    The practice element, as well as the mode of practice is important because in the classic work of Taoism, the ancient Tao Te Ching (“Book of the Way”), we are cautioned in the beginning verses that “the way that can be spoken about is not the true, eternal way.” In other words, language and the intellect are not enough to capture the enigmatic wisdom of how all things abide in an interrelated and connected web of transformation and change. In fact, words get in the way.

    That is why we explore our themes through practice as well as conversation; through practical examples from nature and through poetic and artistic expression.

    This is a course that will thrill the curious, because it is so difficult to find places and opportunities to explore the concepts and philosophies of the ancient “schools” of Taoism, Yin-Yang, and The 5 Elements.

    Yet, understanding the ideas developed by the sages of these schools is so crucial to making sense of why, in our modern lifestyles, we feel so out of harmony.

    So come with us on a journey of discovery into the mystery behind the universe (the Tao), the fundamental processes behind its sustenance and transformation (Yin, Yang and Qi); and learn how to find your flow within the apparent randomness of life (by understanding and following the phases of The 5 Elements).

  • Tao & Yin encompasses plenty of practical wisdom for securing happiness and harmony across all aspects of your life because all things are related to one another.

    What usually befuddles or constrains us in life is failing to see in which way things are connected and which way the natural processes of transformation are occurring.

    To unpack this dilemma, and find a way to happiness and harmony, we investigate the phases of the 5 Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.

    Don’t be mislead by thinking that the ancient Chinese thought that everything was made up of just these five substances. Rather, think of them as “qualities”, or phases of development. For example, Wood represents the first phase of nature; like the blossoming of all natural growth in the Spring. For abundance to be successful growth needs both sustenance and the room to express itself. The buds of Spring are supple and full of life. We can apply this concept to anything else around us and use its principles to inform what we should do next when encountering an indecisive moment, or an obstacle in our path.

    For example, if we work in a creative field and encounter an obstacle with our project, how could we adopt the the “qualities” of Wood to get around this? Well… we could allow ourselves the freedom to move around the obstacle rather than trying to push through, ie, taking time out to let our mind settle and a new thought bud - just like a new vine will curl to move around a rock, or send out a new shoot to move towards the sun.

    Understanding the 5 Elements and their principles is a fantastic map for knowing what to do and when to do it.

    To put all of that simply, it’s not enough to just “go with the flow.” First you have to know which way the flow is going.

    We explore the 5 Elements in detail - how they relate to all aspects of our being and life; and we use our guided yoga practices to reinforce these ideas, opening up the channels in the body where these elemental qualities flow, to release their energy and harmonise our mind, body and spirit.

    Note: You don’t need to have a regular yoga practice to enjoy this course and our daily practice sessions. All practices are floor based, supported, and require little or no previous experience of physical yoga techniques.

  • Tao & Yin is ideal for anyone who loves Yin Yoga. Whilst it is not a teacher training course; and its aim is not to break down the mechanics or anatomy of the postures, it will bring new insight into your practice.

    Although many Yin Yoga courses and retreats offer some discussion of yin and yang theory, and touch on the 5 Elements, it is rare to find a course that offers insight into Taoism, or that combines the three schools of thought - Taoism, Yin/Yang, 5 Elements - into one workshop.

    These three schools, whilst sharing much, do differ in their range of scope, and therefore they each offer unique perspectives; perspectives that we can apply to our practice of Yin Yoga… and beyond.

    Undertaking this course will add further depth to your practice as well as supplement it with new techniques and practical lifestyle wisdom.

    For teachers of Yin Yoga, the concepts we explore in Tao & Yin will open up new pathways for expression and thought, allowing you to create enriched experiences for your students.

    Note: Yoga Teachers registered with Yoga Alliance who complete this course receive a certificate of recognition that can be used as 25 hours continuing education credit.

“I came away with both a richer understanding of Taoism and a delicious sense of connection to self.”

~ Vickie

taoism yin yoga course retreat melbourne

Course Features

  • Whilst many yoga students may be familiar with elements of yoga’s history and philosophy, very few have had the opportunity to step into other schools of Eastern thought such as Taoism.

    This is a shame, because despite being just as old (or older) than yoga, Taoism offers so much practical wisdom for living a contented and balanced life.

    The classic text of Taoism is the Tao Te Ching - “Book of the Way.” It was written down during the Warring States period of ancient China (ie, between 600 and 300 BCE) but is likely a compilation of proverbs and wisdom from an even earlier age. Its reputed author, the sage Lao Tzu, may or may not have been a real life figure because little is known about him that can be traced to a real historical figure. In addition, “lao tzu” can be translated as “old man,” a potential clue that many sayings in the Tao Te Ching are the type of wisdom that has been passed down from generation to generation.

    Perhaps the reason we haven’t had as much exposure to Taoism as we should have is that it doesn’t come with the plethora of physical practices that yoga does; or it might be because the Tao Te Ching is written in very short chapters, of sometimes just a few lines, in a style that appears obtuse (ie, difficult to decipher).

    There’s no doubt that on first read the Tao Te Ching does seem mysterious, almost as though the author deliberately tried to obscure what he was writing about.

    But on knowing more about Taoism, these writings are not as difficult to decipher as they first seem; but rather, they offer a lot of deep wisdom for moving through life with a deep connection to the rhythms and cycles of nature - wisdom that applies to all eras of human existence.

    In this course we aim to provide you with context and understanding of works like the Tao Te Ching, as well as the writings of other famous Taoist sages such as Lieh Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and even share the thoughts of some modern Taoist thinkers.

    We achieve this by also looking at ideas cultivated by the School of Yin/Yang thought, and the (probably) even older, School of The 5 Elements - for these three share so much in concept, especially in relation to the flow of life and the natural world.

    You will find the time you spend in Tao & Yin to be both thought provoking and practical; because what good is theory and philosophy without methods to practically apply it?

    Note: Our easy guide - 🟢 🟢 🟢 ⚪️ ⚪️” - appears in the Course Features section of each course summary in order to give you a quick insight into the main topics covered, as well as what emphasis is placed on each of the topics. The more “🟢”, the more the emphasis on that topic. E.g. for some courses, theory is more prominent; in others practice is more prominent; and so on.

  • If you love yin Yoga and meditation then you will love Tao & Yin as we use these gentle practices twice daily to introduce you to key concepts of our learning.

    These practice sessions further serve the aim of allowing you time to find a contemplative state of mind, for it is through stillness that insight arises.

    Taoism is often hard to grasp, almost seeming to be within reach, before it slips out of sight again. The Tao Te Ching constantly reminds us of this, using terms like “mysterious”, “dark”, “dim” and “shadowy” to describe the Tao.

    But we are also reminded that the key to understanding is to find stillness, to do less. For example, from chapter 3 of the Tao Te Ching we get, “Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place.

    This is how we will approach our practice sessions; and because our techniques are gentle, you will find these session particularly nourishing and restorative - like being on retreat.

  • You do not need to have a regular practice of yoga or meditation to be enriched by our practice sessions. Our host will guide you through all techniques.

    Only a moderate level of fitness ad flexibility is required as the practices are floor based and offered with the support of props - eg, bolsters, yoga blocks, blankets, and so on.

    But you might find some of the specific practices are new to you as we draw from a wide range of traditions to help us embody the concepts behind the practices.

    You will have ample opportunity to discuss anything that is new to you with our course host so that you understand them. As with all our courses you will receive a book that has the practices itemised so that you can continue a self-practice, if you wish, beyond the course.

  • Many of our courses include sessions where students practice teaching what they have learned to each other, in order to grow their skills - especially for those wanting to teach what they have learned.

    In Tao & Yin we practice for absorption and insight, and therefore teaching practice is not part of the curriculum.

    For those who do desire to teach the techniques though, our course host will be available to offer you guidance. But this optional and not mandatory.

  • Our courses come with some of the most comprehensive materials you could wish for.

    For Tao & Yin you will receive the most unique of our course books - a beautiful little hardcover keepsake.

    This gorgeous book includes all the practices we undertaker during our time, but is written mainly as an inspirational guide for you to come back to in remembrance of what you have learned.

    It is full of wisdom from Taoist works and authors, provocative images from nature, as well as verse and poems written by our host, Jamie.

    The book is very limited as it is only given to attendees of Tao & Yin and is not available anywhere else.

“The twice daily practices of yin yoga and breath are themed with the 5 Elements, providing a deeper understanding of our place in nature, and the importance that balance plays in our lives and in nourishing our minds and bodies.”

~ Eloise

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Summary of Course Content

  • The seminal text of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, was written during a period of immense intellectual fertility. This time period of ancient China is known as the time of the 100 Schools due to the myriad of complimentary and competing schools of thought that were bubbling up - each trying to lay out the pathway for how to act in the world.

    The Taoist’s proposed following “the Way” as a solution to living a contented life. This meant learning to observe nature and then following its principles; ie, that things happen for a reason and in their own time. Therefore we should always look to observe the circumstances around us before acting.

    This was an almost anarchistic or rebellious idea at the time, for in opposition to this we had the popular Confucianist view that one should always choose to act in relation to one’s societal and familial obligations and responsibilities.

    This tension is observed in Taoist writings which are often expressed as irreverent anecdotal short stories - the Confucianists often being the butt of jokes, falling into intellectual traps of their own making.

    Reading Taoist works, one cannot help but laugh out loud as the sages poke fun at the absurd rigidity of Confucianism. But they don’t do this simply to mock. They do it to illustrate that no matter how hard you try to fix yourself and society to hard and rigid rules, nature will flow on regardless, making a joke of all your plans.

    In Tao & Yin we pick up this central idea of the futility of fighting against nature and show, through key Taoist concepts such as “action-less action”, “the un-carved block”, and more, how we can flow with nature rather than fight against it.

    Acting this way, our lives will be so much simpler and contented.

  • The concepts of Yin and Yang are often associated with Taoism; and whilst they are related, they are not really central themes in Taoist thought.

    Nevertheless the concepts of Yin-Yang theory are a great guide to getting at the heart of Taoism; for Taoism is difficult to grasp.

    During our three days we will introduce you to the School of Yin Yang; what the terms “yin” and “yang” mean, and from where they originated. No doubt you will be familiar with the typical pictorial representation of yin and yang - ☯️

    This simple illustration quite literally explains the workings of the whole universe if you know how to interpret it; and so we will unpack this for you to show how knowledge of this
    ”map” can lead to a more contented life.

    A third ingredient of Yin-Yang philosophy - Qi - will also be investigated so that we can turn theory into practical action for living well.

  • Our third area of exploration is the School of The 5 Elements. This school of thought also sets out a map for how to find balance and harmony; and was a key influence on early Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

    The 5 Elements model is a very useful tool for applying the ideas of Yin-Yang to our everyday health and wellbeing.

    Put simply, this model further breaks down the basic complementary duality of yin and yang into further stages within the overall cycle of all things. For this reason it is a more useful map for learning about how our bodies function, how our emotions ebb and flow, and how we can learn to see what might be holding us back in a particular situation - whatever that situation might be.

    In other words, the 5 Elements give us a guide for how to interpret what is happening in any moment, so that we can choose how to act, or whether to act at all.

    Students of Tao & Yin really love this part of the course for its fascinating viewpoint on our health and harmony; as well as for its easy to adopt principles on how to live a contented and relaxed life.

  • The real purpose of our time together is to discover a way of looking at the world and our selves, and how the two actually interrelate and interact in harmony.

    Yes, the universe IS actually designed for us to live a happy and contended existence. But! First we need to understand how the universe works, and how we work. Once we grasp this we will see how it isn’t too difficult to employ strategies to ensure that everything works FOR us and not against us, so that obstacles and frustrations simply disappear.

    This deep understanding is what really leads to the Heart of Living Well. Intrigued? We will see you there. ;)

  • Our courses encompass various elements to maximise your enjoyment, engagement and learning… because we all learn in different ways.

    Our key pillars include:

    Face to face engagement. In our opinion there is nothing to rival face to face learning. So all our courses are conducted this way, in small groups, to optimise your experience. Face to face courses offer many benefits compared with online learning, including:

    • Enriched communication. Communication is more than just verbal. It’s also gestural and “energetic.” The best communication also happens in real time.

    • Direct feedback. This applies to our conversations as well as to our yoga practices. It’s not optimal to give meaningful corrections or assistance through a screen.

    • Spontaneous moments of insight. Sometimes our little breakthroughs come not in the main lectures and discussions but in small moments during breaks, i.e. asking a question as we meet each other coming or going, or passing in the hall.

    Daily yoga practices. Our practices are designed to suit the nature and content of each course, so will vary in type, techniques shared, as well as level of intensity. For more introspective courses the techniques are gentler and more contemplative; whilst other courses offer more vigorous and energetic practices. Refer to each Course Features section to get a feel for what is on offer. Daily practices also provide the opportunity to be introduced to new techniques whilst absorbing and embodying the learnings.

    Analysis and reflection. We always allow time for discussion and reflection of the practices so that you can share your experience, get direct feedback from our trainer/s, and hear the experiences of your fellow students. These rich discussions offer so much insight, as well as ensuring that you understand the techniques being taught.

    Lectures and conversation. Each course is rich in theory and methods, but with ample opportunity for group conversation. Students are encouraged to share their points of view in a supported learning environment. Through this method each course evolves its own unique insights as our students flavour the learnings with what they bring from their own life experience. It’s why no two courses are ever the same. Students can also approach the trainer/s one-on-one at appropriate moments during the course if they wish.

    Immersive learning. Our courses are designed as immersive experiences, usually running over several consecutive days or longer.

    When attending a course we encourage you to treat it as a retreat away from your usual routine and activities. Freedom from distractions allows you the mental space to absorb what you learn. Of course we all have different life situations, so we run each day on time to allow you the structure to get things done outside of course hours. An example course timetable is presented for you in the section below this one.

    A further feature of our courses are the amazing books and manuals we create for you - that are available nowhere else. These range from 100-200+ pages, depending on the course length and its nature. The course books include a summary of all we learn, instructions for any techniques taught; and many are rich with images and photos to inspire and guide you.

    Knowing you have a resource that you can always refer back to really allows you to engage with the trainer/s and group in real time, without the distraction of constant note taking - leading to a truly immersive learning experience.

“It was wonderful to attend this mini 'retreat', to dive deeper into the teachings of Taoism, with ample time to discuss and reflect on everything we experienced throughout the sessions.”

~ Elizabeth

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Example Timetable

  • 7:30am ~ Arrive

    7:45-8:45am ~ Morning yoga practice

    8:45-9:00am ~ Reflection / Journal / Moodboard

    9:00-9:45am ~ Morning break

    9:45am-12:30pm ~ Dedicated to Review of Practice; Theory & Concepts; Investigations; Conversation / Questions

    12:30-1:15pm ~ Lunch break

    1:15-2:15pm ~ Afternoon yoga practice

    2:15-2:30pm ~ Reflection / Journal / Moodboard

    2:30-5:00pm ~ Dedicated to Review of Practice; Theory & Concepts; Investigations; Conversation / Questions / Review of day

    5:00pm ~ Close of day

    Please note: Timetable is subject to change without notice, though we do our best to stick with what is scheduled.

    Students are required to attend all sessions for course cohesiveness and continuity, and to receive the certificate of completion.

    Tao & Yin is a three-day event conducted over a single weekend - Friday to Sunday. Please check specific course dates in the section below on Final Course Details (or view in the Shop).

    Refer to Course Terms and Conditions for all other details pertaining to Sign up and attendance.

“Jamie’s engaging teaching style delivers complex content into bite size pieces that help you understand the Tao and how it can be used to guide us into a more simple yet fulfilling way of living.”

~ Nicole

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Final Course Details

  • Tao & Yin runs over three consecutive days, Friday to Sunday.

    Date options for our next courses are:

    No current dates (or view courses in the Shop). If you wish to attend Tao & Yin in 2025 please register your interest by emailing Melbourne Yoga Academy. We are currently looking at whether to run this course at Yoga 8 studios or at a retreat centre and your feedback would be welcome (note, if conducted at a retreat centre the published price may vary to include accommodation costs, etc).

    We start each day at 7:30am and close each day at 5:00pm.

    Attendance is required for all sessions for course cohesiveness and continuity; and to receive your Certificate of Completion.

  • Tao & Yin is hosted at Yoga 8, Melbourne studios.

    Address: Level 1, 238 High Street, Windsor VIC 3181. (Location map provided below in page footer).

    The studio is located in a super vibrant area, approximately 6km southeast of Melbourne’s CBD. There are lots of nearby places to eat; and the area is well serviced by public transport (trams and trains).

    Parking is available close to the studio - both free and paid. Please email us for more details / recommendations for parking.

  • Your investment for Tao & Yin is $590 including GST.

    How do you know if a course is right for you and whether it is “good value” or not? Check out our handy blog article by clicking here.

  • Your course will be hosted by our co-founder and lead trainer, Jamie. Find out more about Jamie by visiting our page, Our Story.

  • Mats, props, course booklet and materials are included in your course fees, but please bring a note pad and pen(s) to take any extra notes.

    Wear comfortable clothes, including something to practice in. The space is heated for your comfort during cooler weather, but you may wish to bring layers. The yoga practices in this course are gentle and nourishing.

    The studio has a kettle. Tea will be provided throughout the weekend but please feel free to bring your own tea / beverages. Fresh, filtered water is available - please bring your own bottle. The studio has a fridge if you wish to bring your own food and keep it fresh throughout the day. (We ask that you refrain from bringing strong scented foods to the studio).

    Full bathroom facilities are available on site.

    Please note that our course shares the studio venue with public yoga classes and the members of the Yoga 8 community, so please be aware of noise levels in the common areas. We have our own space for the course.

    After sign up, and closer to the course starting date, you will receive a Welcome Pack email with a reminder of what to bring, transport / parking options, start times, etc, but please feel free to email us any time with other questions.

  • Tao & Yin is registered with Yoga Alliance International.

    Everyone that completes the course receives a Certificate of Completion recognising your study.

    For existing Yoga Teachers who are registered with Yoga Alliance this course counts as 25 hours of continuing education credit.

“You will leave the weekend feeling more at ease in your place in the world, equipped with new perspectives, and deeply relaxed. I cannot recommend this workshop enough.”

~ Eloise

Terms & Conditions

  • By purchasing the course in the “Shop” you agree to the following terms and conditions.

    • You can attend the dates listed in the product description.

    • You are in reasonable health to undertake this course and will not hold Melbourne Yoga Academy, its subsidiaries, connections, the trainer(s), or any staff, responsible for any injury sustained or incurred as a result of any activity of the course or through attending the training or the course venue.

    • You will faithfully follow all instructions of the teacher(s) / trainer(s) and staff to the best of your ability.

    • Melbourne Yoga Academy and/or the host venue is not responsible for your personal or valuable items whilst attending the course. Locker facilities may be available at the venue for use but course attendees are responsible for securing their personal and valuable belongings.

    • Course fees are non-refundable under any circumstances; however Melbourne Yoga Academy may, at their complete discretion, refund part of the course fees. If you cannot attend a course for any reason you may be able to use your fees as credit towards another course, or for the same course at another published date. Contact Melbourne Yoga Academy via email for details, or to request a change of course / course date option.

    • To successfully graduate from this course attendees are required to attend all sessions and complete any homework, theoretical and practical exams (if applicable).

    • Failure to attend all sessions will result in ineligibility to receive your course certification.