About the Experience
The spine is where posture, breath, awareness, emotion, and energy meet.
In this experiential workshop, Dr. Sebastian S. Smith will guide participants through gentle qigong and meditation practices designed to release tension, restore flow, and awaken a deeper sense of inner alignment.
Practical and beginner-friendly, this workshop also invites a deeper exploration of the spine as a bridge between body, energy, consciousness, Earth, and Spirit.
The workshop includes 4 hours of practice and instruction, with an additional 30-minute break.
What You’ll Explore
During this workshop, participants will be guided through practices that may support:
Releasing tension through the spine, back, neck, and shoulders
Restoring greater ease, mobility, and fluidity in the body
Softening physical, emotional, and energetic holding patterns
Calming the nervous system and deepening inner relaxation
Awakening awareness of the spine as a pathway of energy, presence, and inner alignment
The workshop will include a mix of standing, seated, and mat-based practices. Exercises may include gentle qigong warm-ups, breath awareness, visualization, spinal movement, stretching, meditation, and guided internal awareness practices.
The Deeper Intention
The spine carries so much of how we move through life: our posture, our breath, our emotional holding, and our sense of vitality. When the spine becomes tense, compressed, or rigid, that holding can echo through the body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
In this way, the spine can become a powerful mirror. Where the body holds, life may also be asking us to soften.
The spirit of the workshop is to meet the body with enough gentleness and attention that the spine can begin to release what it no longer needs to hold.
Who This Workshop Is For
This workshop is especially supportive for those who:
Hold tension in the back, neck, shoulders, or spine
Spend long hours sitting, driving, working, or using devices
Feel stiff, compressed, stressed, or disconnected from the body
Sense emotional or energetic holding and want a gentle way to work with it
Are drawn to qigong, meditation, energy work, or the spine as a pathway of awakening
All practices are gentle and modifiable. Participants are encouraged to honor their own body, move within their comfort level, and rest whenever needed.
Accessibility & Safety
This workshop is gentle, beginner-friendly, and designed to meet participants at different levels of mobility and experience. Many practices can be modified or performed seated.
Please consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before attending if you are pregnant or have a spinal injury, recent surgery, reduced bone density, vertigo, balance concerns, neurological conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, herniated discs, a diagnosed spinal condition, or any serious medical concern.
This workshop is educational and experiential. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical care. Participants are encouraged to listen to their bodies, move within their own limits, and choose the level of participation that feels appropriate.
Your Instructor
Sebastian Smith
DTCM, DCEM (Sedona, AZ)
A few things people ask.
Do I need prior qigong or meditation experience?
No. Awaken the Spine is beginner-friendly, and no previous experience is needed. Dr. Sebastian S. Smith will guide you through each practice.
What can I expect during the workshop?
The workshop will include a gentle blend of qigong, breath awareness, spinal movement, stretching, visualization, meditation, and guided internal awareness.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. You may bring any cushions or personal supports that help you feel comfortable. Mats and blankets are provided.
Can I participate if I have limited mobility?
Yes. The practices are gentle and modifiable, and many can be performed seated. You are encouraged to move within your comfort level and rest whenever needed.
Are there any health considerations?
If you are pregnant or have a spinal condition, recent surgery, reduced bone density, vertigo, balance concerns, uncontrolled blood pressure, a neurological condition, or another serious medical concern, please consult your healthcare provider before attending. This workshop is educational and experiential and is not a substitute for medical care.