The Practice Hall seeks to help you practise well. A few clear boundaries keep that practice safe. Please read this page and return to it whenever you are unsure.
Education, not treatment. The Practice Hall is educational and practice-oriented. It offers practices, ideas and context for cultivating human capability. It is not medical, psychological or therapeutic treatment, it does not diagnose, treat or cure any condition, and it is not a substitute for professional care.
Practise gently, and at your own pace. The practices are designed to be gentle and self-directed. Move slowly, stay within what feels available to you, and let effort be modest. Stop and rest if you notice pain, dizziness, breathlessness, discomfort or distress, and return to ordinary breathing. Nothing here needs to be forced, and there is no benefit in pushing through warning signs.
Check with a professional first if this applies to you. If you are pregnant, recovering from injury or surgery, living with a heart, respiratory, neurological or blood-pressure condition, or managing any significant physical or mental health condition, please speak with a qualified health professional before beginning, and adapt the practices to your circumstances. Some practices may suit you and some might not.
Breath practices, with particular care. Breathing practices should always be gentle. Never strain, over-breathe or hold the breath to the point of discomfort. If a breathing practice makes you lightheaded, return to normal, easy breathing and rest.
Mental and emotional wellbeing. Attention and breath practices can sometimes bring feelings or memories to the surface. If a practice brings up distress, it is completely fine to stop. If you have any mental health concerns, please reach out to a qualified professional or a trusted person for support. If you are ever in crisis or worried about your immediate safety, contact your local emergency services or a mental health crisis line in your country.
Training martial material responsibly. Where a practice draws on martial arts, train it progressively and with appropriate, qualified instruction, particularly anything involving a partner, contact or impact. Respect your own limits and those of anyone you practise with.
Evidence, stated honestly. The science notes within the practices are plain explanatory bridges, not clinical claims. They describe what practice appears to develop, not what it guarantees, and they are not medical advice.
Your practice is your own. You take part in these practices voluntarily and are responsible for practising within your own limits and seeking professional advice where appropriate. If you are ever unsure whether a practice is right for you, choose the gentler option, or rest.
If anything on this site concerns you, or you are unsure how to adapt a practice, please contact us before continuing.
