We warmly invite you to join our drop-in meditation sessions, open to all, held weekly on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm with our experienced instructors in our London Centre at 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB.
Should a drop-in session need to be cancelled we’ll let you know via eventbrite booking cancellation and here. Please check on this page before coming each week if you haven’t booked through eventbrite.
Harmonize the flow of Qi, Balancing Qi, Enhances Circulation, Health & Healing, Longevity & Vitality, Mental Clarity, Spiritual Growth, Breathing Techniques, Flexibility, Meditation, Mindfulness, Pain Management, Self-Cultivation, Stress Reduction,
The Purpose of Qi-Gong
Qi-Gong (or Qigong) is a holistic practice rooted in Chinese tradition that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and mental focus to cultivate and balance Qi (life energy). Its purposes are multifaceted, addressing body, mind, and spirit:
Health and Healing
Balancing Qi: Aims to unblock and harmonize the flow of Qi, believed to prevent or alleviate illness in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Physical Benefits: Enhances circulation, flexibility, immune function, and pain management. Often used in preventative healthcare and recovery.
Stress Reduction
Combining slow movements, deep breathing, and meditation can induce relaxation, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional stability.
Spiritual Growth
Fosters a connection with the self, nature, or the Dao (Tao), encouraging inner peace and spiritual enlightenment through mindful cultivation of energy.
Martial Arts Enhancement
Develops internal power (neijin) for martial artists, improving strength, stamina, and resilience by harnessing Qi.
Mental Clarity and Focus
Enhances concentration, discipline, and mental discipline through meditative practices and intentional movement.
Longevity and Vitality
Promotes longevity by maintaining energetic balance and physical health, aligning with TCM’s emphasis on preventive care.
Self-Cultivation
Encourages personal growth, patience, and ethical development, fostering harmony within oneself and with others.
Relax and calm your mind with our monthly community yoga sessions. These yoga sessions incorporate yoga practices from Hatha yoga tradition and apply mindfulness to each breath and movement. This brings awareness and presence to the practice and helps to calm down our nervous system. The practice typically begins with breathing meditation to bring us to a calm and relaxed state before going into movement. All abilities welcome.
What to bring: Yoga mat, shawl for breathing meditation if desired.
Dates and time: Thursdays once a month-18:30-19:45
£8 suggested donation, minimum £5 donation please
Please note: if we ever need to cancel a session we will let you know through eventbrite and you will receive a refund. We will also post it on this page.
Every Friday evening from 6.30-7.30pm starting 17th January 2025 at our London centre we will be guided on a “Touch Down” journey to land back in our bodies after a busy week. During this one-hour session, we will experience how Kum Nye can be both a very effective gateway to meditation, and a means to deepen our current practice. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, Kum Nye’s simple movement and breathing exercises restore the body’s natural rhythms and calm the mind.
BIOGRAPHY Daniel has been practicing meditation for the last 24 years and Kum Nye for four years. He has completed the Nyingma Centrum (check) Kum Nye teacher training course and is a keen advocate of mind-body connection to heal and restore health.
Pith Instructions of the Glorious Virupa with Asanga Vajra Rinpoche
🧘🏻♀️ Type:
In-person and online
📆 Date:
Saturday 12 September 2026
⏱️ Time:
6pm – 7.30pm
📍 Addr.:
London Centre, 330 Caledonian Road, London N1 1BB
💰 Fee:
£25 suggested donation
We are honoured to welcome back His Eminence Asanga Vajra Rinpoche who will teach on the text: ‘Training the Mind in Matchless Compassion: Pith Instructions of the Glorious Virupa’. This is a practical mind training which guides us through clear, contemplative steps, to generate a truly open heart—beginning with compassion for our greatest enemy and gradually extending it to embrace all beings. This teaching reminds us that kindness and compassion are not just aspirations or sentiments, but are the very ground from which the all the awakened qualities of our buddha nature can grow.
// More about Rinpoche
Khöndung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche was born in Seattle in 1999, is a direct descendant of the illustrious Khön clan which founded the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and is furthermore regarded as the third successive body incarnation of the great master Zimwok Tenzin Nyendrak of Phenyul Nalendra.
Asanga Rinpoche began his monastic training at the age of five in Nepal and received teachings from eminent masters of Tibetan Buddhism. From 2014 to 2024, he studied Buddhist philosophy in India. Appointed as Head Lama of Sakya Vietnam and Guru of Guru Sakya Monastery in Darjeeling, India, he also founded the Sakya History Resources project as well as the Chabi Foundation.
In 2024, he completed the traditional Buddhist philosophical studies and began an MA in Buddhist Studies at SOAS University of London, graduating in 2025. In 2026, he married Dagmo Tsepak Lhatso. That same year, he established branches of the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang in both Minnesota, USA, and Nepal. Based between the United States, India, and Nepal, Rinpoche teaches internationally.
// How to participate
This event will be held in person and online, at our London Centre.
ZOOM Details for online attendees will be in the eventbrite reminder emails 2 days and 2 hours before the event.
BOOKING It is of muchgreater benefit to you to receive these precious teachings in person, so we would only recommend joining online where this is truly the only option. If you join us online, out of respect for the teacher this needs to be in an environment without distractions for the entire teaching. You are actively encouraged to keep your camera on so that Rinpoche can connect with you.
// Cost l
Standard: £25
Concession: £15
Supporter: £35–£40 (for those who’d like to help subsidise others)
Under 25’s: Free
Donate what you can l Contact [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation of any amount at this time and we will register you.
Your donation will cover the costs of running the event and enable someone else to attend. You can cancel and receive an automatic refund through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event.
You can join our mailing list here, or follow us on eventbrite.
Compassion in Community: The practice of extending compassion from self to others
As we move into the autumn months, this weekend will focus on the question of how we can truly embody compassion—within ourselves, for one another, and as a community.
Led by Ian Ives, Senior Rigpa Teacher, we will explore through the wisdom of the Buddhist teachings and complementary practice sessions how compassion which starts with ourselves, becomes a source of genuine openness and connection. We will consider what it means to open our hearts—even in the face of difficulties—and how we can keep the vast, unlimited intention of bodhichitta (the heart of enlightened mind) alive in our daily lives.
We will also look at how we can truly bring compassion into the heart of our connectedness with one another and into the activity of our community.
Supported by a group of experienced practitioners and teachers from Rigpa UK, this retreat is also a gathering of the sangha—a time to draw strength together, nurture connection, and move into the autumn months as a compassionate community.
This weekend offers space for contemplation, personal reflection and shared insight and is open to everyone, whether absolute beginners or those with more experience of buddhist study and practice.
We encourage everyone to attend the weekend in person if they can. However, an online option is also available for those who are unable to travel.
What can you expect?
Space for contemplation, personal reflection and shared insight.
Why should you attend?
The weekend offers an opportunity to develop a kinder and more compassionate relationship with yourself and, through this, deepen your connection with others.
What can you take away?
Greater confidence in your ability to keep your heart open, even when life becomes challenging.This is a perfect event to bring friends from your community, and your friends who might be curious about meditation and Buddhism.
Everyone is welcome, whether completely new to Buddhism or more experienced in Buddhist study and practice.
About Ian Ives
Ian has made the study, practice and exploration of Buddhism his life’s work since his late teens. He became a Rigpa teacher in 2003 and has received extensive practice guidance and teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche and many other teachers on all aspects of the Buddhist path. Under the guidance of Khenchen Namdrol, he spent several years studying at Rigpa’s College of Buddhist Studies in Nepal. Since 2010, Ian has been helping to lead retreats and courses at Rigpa internationally. He currently lives in France with his wife and two daughters and is involved in the ongoing development of Rigpa’s study and practice curriculum.
How to participate
This event will be held in person and online, at our London Centre.
ZOOM Details for online attendees will be in the eventbrite reminder emails 2 days and 2 hours before the event.
Cost l
Standard: £200
Concession: £150
Supporter: £250 (for those who’d like to help subsidise others)
Under 25’s: Free
If you can’t afford any donation – email us
Your donation will cover the costs of running the event and enable someone else to attend. You can cancel and receive an automatic refund through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event.
Discover how Buddhist wisdom and meditation can help you understand difficult emotions and respond with kindness, calm and balance.
About this workshop
Difficult emotions are a natural part of life, but we do not have to feel overwhelmed by them.
In this free introductory workshop, we will explore how Buddhist wisdom and meditation can help us:
Understand difficult emotions more clearly
Meet our feelings with awareness and kindness
Respond rather than react
Find greater calm and emotional balance
Develop compassion for ourselves and others
The workshop will include accessible teachings, guided meditation and time for reflection. It is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with meditation experience.
Discover how Buddhist wisdom and meditation can help you understand difficult emotions and respond with kindness, calm and balance.
About this workshop
Difficult emotions are a natural part of life, but we do not have to feel overwhelmed by them.
In this free introductory workshop, we will explore how Buddhist wisdom and meditation can help us:
Understand difficult emotions more clearly
Meet our feelings with awareness and kindness
Respond rather than react
Find greater calm and emotional balance
Develop compassion for ourselves and others
The workshop will include accessible teachings, guided meditation and time for reflection. It is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with meditation experience.
Light Body – Bright Mind! Movement & breathing exercises, followed by the stillness of meditation to refresh our body & calm our mind
During this weekend we will be practising Kum Nye, a relaxation method from the Tibetan tradition, which is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Kum Nye integrates and balances physical and psychological approaches to harmonize the energies of body and mind. The deep relaxation produced releases a vibrant, intense flow of feeling that renders all experience richer, healthier, and more beautiful.
For beginners it is a gateway to meditation, while for more seasoned practitioners it is a way to deepen our practice.
Join us this weekend to experience Kum Nye – a gentle Tibetan relaxation practice suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Blending movement, breath, and awareness, Kum Nye helps release tension, balance energy, and awaken a deep sense of calm and vitality. Ideal for beginners as a gateway to meditation, and for seasoned practitioners to deepen their inner experience and presence.
How to join the event
In-person only
Registration closes Thursday 5th Nov at 5pm
Suggested donation –
Full rate| £100 Concessions l £50 Under 25’s l Free Financial hardship l Donate whatever you can
Contact [email protected] if you are unable to make a donation of any amount at this time and we will register you.
*Dharma teachings are always offered free of charge. We do not turn anyone away on financial grounds. Your financial contribution is used towards centre running costs, staff salaries, equipment etc. Thank you for your support.
**You can cancel and receive an automatic refund through Eventbrite up to 24 hours before the event.
Thursdays, 6.30–8.30pm Starts Thursday 22 October 2026
Bodhi Open Heart Meditation is suitable for both complete beginners and those with meditation experience. The course is held weekly with care by our friendly and experienced meditation instructors.
Would you like to experience more kindness in your life, discover greater inner resilience and feel more emotionally grounded? Open Heart can help you fulfil your potential and connect more meaningfully with others.
During Open Heart, we will explore how to:
Cultivate a stronger sense of kindness and personal wellbeing
Open naturally to meaningful connections with others
Take regular moments to reconnect with the body
Strengthen awareness of feelings as they arise
Offer kindness to ourselves
Radiate kindness to those around us
Get a taster
Experience a taster of the course by attending a Bodhi Meditation Moment introductory workshop exploring how to manage difficult emotions: Book sepperately on Eventbrite:
“It is helping me to stop and feel the inner silence, to calm my mind, to increase my inner power, to connect with my being, to develop more love for myself and others, and to feel unity with others.”
“It has been a wonderful gift to experience the awakening of my heart through awareness and acceptance of what is present in each moment.”
“Infinite gratitude.”
Cost for the nine-week course
Standard: £90 (£10 per session) Concession: £45 Supporter: £120 – for those who would like to help subsidise places for others Under 25s: Free
If cost is a barrier, please email us to register. No one will be turned away because they cannot afford to make a donation.
The teachings are offered freely. Donations help cover the cost of staff, equipment and running our centre.
What you will receive
Nine weekly classes with experienced instructors
Weekly guided meditation recordings
Community support through a WhatsApp group
Additional opportunities for weekly group practice: online on Mondays and Wednesdays, and in person on Tuesdays
Healthy and delicious bites and refreshments from the centre’s Tara Teahouse
Opportunities to deepen your kindness and compassion through other events in our autumn programme
Will Mansfield has practised Buddhism for more than 25 years and has been an instructor at the London Rigpa Centre for over 15 years. He finds it deeply rewarding to see how meditation and Buddhist teachings can benefit people’s lives and work together to deepen their sense of self-discovery.
Rosey Hastings
Rosey Hastings has studied and practised Buddhism since the 1980s. She was a schoolteacher for 30 years, working with children and young adults with learning difficulties, particularly dyslexia.
She is passionate about making Buddhism accessible and meaningful to anyone with interest and curiosity, whatever their background, education or preferred style of learning. Rosey supports and teaches on Rigpa UK’s public and sangha programmes.
Carol
Carol has studied Buddhist teachings for more than 30 years and has been an instructor at the London Centre for 25 years, specialising in meditation courses.
She previously worked in IT and as a project manager for a major corporation, leading multicultural teams and enjoying her interaction with others. Having experienced the remarkable benefits of these teachings and practices, her greatest wish is to share them and help people integrate them into their everyday lives.
