Raised Spirit Health Retreats are held one weekend a year in Oxfordshire.

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From Raised Spirit founder Nick Osipczak:

"My professional background in the martial arts (UFC) led me down the rabbit hole of the internal arts.

The goal of my teaching is to remove limitations and guide practitioners to become more deeply aware of their fundamental infinite nature, using tried and tested methods from Tai Chi, Yoga and meditation. 

​The Mindful Movements program is designed to help pass on the essence of movement – the common thread which runs through all styles and systems. I educate others to train in a smarter and more efficient manner, with an approach based on balance and longevity. Above all, I want to help people increase their understanding of health, and learn how to train in a sustainable way.

An openness to learning and the discipline to practise will guarantee results."​

The ​Body must be open, strong, balanced, coordinated, flexible, and connected.

The Mind must be able to concentrate, focus, relax, project, connect and open.

The Spirit will expand as you begin to know yourself on a deeper level of consciousness.

​The breath must be cultivated diligently, as this is what links the body, mind and Spirit together​.


"Movement originates from stillness… to gain a deeper understanding of movement, one has to study stillness.”

Key methodologies:

• Learning how to control our minds (instead of being controlled by them) is crucial not only for our physical development, but also for living a peaceful and creative life. “The mind is sovereign and the body is subject”, is a classic saying from Tai Chi. 
• Moving in slow-motion to gain deeper awareness of anatomy, balance, efficiency and body mechanics. If a movement cannot be performed slowly with control, then how can we expect to execute the movement properly in full speed?!
• Strength vs Power. We are interested in becoming more powerful. Muscles only play a small role in power, and are usually very over-stressed by most sports programs. Tendons, ligaments, bones, the nervous system and the fascia system need to be cultivated. We can draw inspiration from the powerful, graceful, mobile and coordinated movements of many animals (who do not carry excessive muscle-mass).
• Working with rather than against gravity, to move more efficiently. This requires a more advanced understanding of physical alignment, coupled with the ability to release deep tensions in the body and mind. ​
• Training with a partner, developing sensorimotor skills by connecting and harmonising with them, responding to information gained via touch. Reprogramming ourselves to harmonise with force rather than oppose it.
• Standing practise is paradoxically the essence of Mindful Movements. It improves structural alignment, anatomical awareness, patience, proprioception, concentration, the ability to release tension, and grounding.
• Goal-setting and goal-attainment strategies makes up a significant portion of our study. Cultivating a mindset conducive to success.
• Utilising primary Yoga poses to quickly identify and remedy areas of inflexibility and imbalance in the body.
• Using our increased awareness and ability to release tension, along with improved structure and movement to heal existing injuries and prevent further ones. ​
  

Testimonials

​"Firstly I want to express what a wonderfully intuitive teacher Nick is. He emits such positive energy, patience and is incredibly encouraging and calming. The two day Retreat included Tai Chi, Yoga and Meditation. This was my first proper introduction to Meditation, which made me feel tranquil and at peace. Training outside in the fresh air and country-side was an amazing experience; giving me a great sense of freedom and being totally connected to nature. The training Nick has given to me has reinforced my own belief in good teaching practice: the importance of good posture, correct body alignment, secure grounding of the feet on the floor for stability and strength, and how vital it is to stay flexible and strong. The Raised Spirit Retreat experience for me was totally liberating, confidence-building and great fun. Thank you Nick...it was truly awesome!"

​Katherine Marks, LISTD & CDE – former Professional Dancer with 25 years Classical Ballet teaching experience.

"I met Nick the first time at a Seminar in Mayen in 2017. It had never before occurred to me to include standing exercises or body awareness in my own training but I learned immediately how important and helpful these things are in martial arts as well as for health. Since that seminar I mixed up my own training with these Mindful Movement exercises to change the training to a more balanced way. Nick has a deep understanding for integrating old and traditional exercises into modern training sessions. He is focused on making sure that everybody understands the principles behind the techniques. I´m looking forward to following Nick on his journey and learning more from his experiences and balanced mindset. Thanks a lot Nick!"
Yvonne Otterstätter - Karate Instructor, Germany

"I have been practising Tai Chi regularly for 18 months and have been practising yoga for almost 4 years. In the 5 days with Nick, I got a new awareness of my body that has alluded me in my purely yogic practices. The pace of the classes built up as the 5 days progressed and the learning rate was incredibly high throughout. What I learned has become the core of my morning training and is arranged in such a way that I feel I need to do very little else to keep my progression up. Needless to say, I'll be attending all of Nick's future workshops I can manage!"
Shaun Dowling - Movement Coach, London
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"I had been practising my yoga and meditation and felt that I needed to look further to find something new to push me mentally as well as physically. I then found Nick's workshops, which were perfect. I have found ways to connect my body and mind with the techniques and skills he has been teaching me. I have been able to focus internally, mentally, and with freeing my body of tension through movement and soft technical training. He has been a huge help and a massive inspiration. This has helped me in my personal life as well as in the gym."
​Ethan Charlesworth - Professional Athlete, South Moreton

"I came to Nick proceeding a year-long stay in Wudangshan, where I studied Xuan Wu Pai in a small group school environment. My hope was to bridge some of the gaps contained in a more traditional style of training. I quickly learned that Nick's style was a refreshing and wonderfully effective, while still being steeped in traditional knowledge. In a few short weeks, I saw my understanding and capability as an internal arts practitioner grow in ways I had not expected or hoped for under the insightful guidance of one of the most gifted teachers that I have had the pleasure to know."
Mitch Lemieux - America