October 5th & 6th, 2024

This year’s Weekend Retreat includes a celebration of Master Koo’s birthday, and, thanks to the generosity of Board member Freddie Bryant, will also feature a Sunday afternoon musical performance—a merging of Classical Indian flute with acoustic guitar. The weekend intensive is designed to offer practitioners—new and old alike—a deeper immersion into the practice, transforming our understanding of Nanlaoshu and bringing a more nuanced and profound sense of peacefulness and well-being. Beginners are welcome, and will be led carefully through the qi gong exercises, discovering how the practice can benefit and enrich their lives. Those unable to attend the whole weekend are welcome to come for either day.

SATURDAY:
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Sitting meditation, followed by foot rubbing.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Qigong practice.
1:00 PM: We break for a vegetarian lunch, provided at the Center.
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Taiji practice.
6:00 PM: Dinner at the Center to celebrate and honor Master Koo.

SUNDAY:
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM: Sitting meditation, followed by foot rubbing.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Qigong and taiji practice.
1:00 PM: We break for  vegetarian lunch, provided at the Center.
3:00 PM: Concert begins. Reservations are strongly suggested as space is limited.
Featuring:
Steve Gorn (bansuri flute): Grammy winner, and master of the Indian bansuri flute, Steve is creating a new idiom, a music that combines the essence of classical Indian tradition with a contemporary world music sensibility. He has performed Indian Classical Music and new American Music on the bansuri bamboo flute, soprano saxophone and clarinet in concerts and festivals throughout the world. From Indian classical music to world music to jazz projects with Paul Simon, Jack DeJohnette, Paul Winter and others, Steve infuses great mastery with a haunting, lyrical sweetness to bring the healing breath of the sacred to our contemporary lives.
stevegorn.com

Freddie Bryant (guitar): A fixture in the New York jazz and Brazilian scenes, he currently plays with the Mingus Orchestra and leads his own groups. Freddie has released 10 CDs and toured in over 55 countries.  He received a Master’s degree in classical guitar from the Yale School of Music and has collaborated with musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds including Indian sitarists, Cuban musicians, Kenyan singers and traditional groups in Saudi Arabia. His latest recording, “Upper West Side Love Story" features his lyrics on 16 original songs as well as his debut as a vocalist.
freddiebryant.com

COST:
CURRENT STUDENTS: $25 for full weekend. Includes lunches both days and Sunday concert. Does not include the Saturday dinner ($20 additional, must be paid in advance).
ALL OTHERS: $25 per day (includes lunch and Sunday concert). Saturday night dinner is an additional $20 and must be paid in advance.
CONCERT ONLY: The concert is open to the public. Admission is $20 and an RSVP is required. Deadline is September 27.

RSVP:
Payment via Venmo [HERE] or check made payable to SRAN and mailed to: Charlie Brenner, 1125 Maxwell Lane, Apt. 827, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Include a note of what your payment covers. Due by September 27.

LOCATION:
At the Center (22 East 21st Street, 3rd floor).