We are excited to bring to you NAJGA’s Midwest regional event, Kokoro and the Gardener: Health for Spirit, Body, and Community, at the stunning Anderson Japanese Gardens, in Rockford, Illinois, August 15th through 17th!
Kokoro is a Japanese word encompassing multiple meanings including "mind," “heart,” and “spirit.” A healthy garden begins with a gardener’s good health in both kokoro and body. In return, a well-tended garden nourishes the gardener, but also the larger community. Japanese-style gardens are ideal environments for integrating physical and mental health. There is likely no better place to learn techniques for fostering the gardener’s mind and body than the spectacular Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois. Created slowly over 40 years to delight the senses and nourish the soul, Anderson Japanese Gardens now features impressive programs in mental and physical wellness as well as various Japanese arts and culture. Led by Kimiko Gunji, lauded professor Emeritus of Japanese art and culture at the University of Illinois, and Anderson Japanese Garden’s long-time curator Tim Gruner, “Kokoro and the Gardener” presents a very special “once in your life time” program.
There will also be an additional opportunity the following two days on the 18th and 19th for the Sekitei: Rock Setting Workshop. Click here to register for this amazing experience as well!
Not a member? Join today, then return back to register for the event at the discounted rate. If you are interested in joining or checking out what other benefits membership offers, please check out our membership page for more information here at https://najga.org/membership/
Interested in sponsoring the event? Please contact us at info@najga.org for more information on how you can help support NAJGA through sponsorship.
NOTES:
NAJGA Members: Please register using the email address that is linked to your NAJGA Membership account in order to receive the discounted rate.
Members of Anderson Japanese Gardens: Don't have a discount code? Contact Anderson Japanese Gardens to confirm your membership with them and receive your discount code.
Everyone: When registering multiple attendees please complete registration process for each individual, using unique email addresses. We apologize for the inconvenience due to this limitation of the registration system.
Cancellation: refunds may be requested up to 14 days prior to the event (a 10% administrative fee applies). Contact info@najga.org to inquire.
SCHEDULE:
*Note: This timeline is subject to change. Please refer to final timeline emailed to registrants shortly before the event.
Thursday, August 15
7:00 - 8:00 pm Visitor Center Gallery
“On the Nature of Things: The Path to the Garden,” Douglas Dawson (artist, collector) “Having spent my adult professional life involved in the art world I have come to consider the garden as the ultimate art form as it integrates all those criteria by which art is judged. The creation of a garden is conceptual, intuitive, physical, philosophical, strategically considered, and ultimately the result of intent and the nature of things. The garden is also profoundly ephemeral in that its existence is subject to the vicissitudes of nature, man’s folly or favor, and a rapidly changing world.” – D. Dawson
This talk presents the various paths that lead to meaning in the garden by considering things that connect humanity with the natural world and ultimately inform the garden.
Friday, August 16
*Breakfast on your own (Note: Fresco at the Garden opens at 8 am with great garden views)
9:00 - 9:15 am Visitor Center Gallery:
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Welcome, David Anderson (AJG Founding Family Member)
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Program Introduction, Tim Gruner (AJG Garden Curator & Head of Horticulture)
9:15 - 9:40 Visitor Center Gallery:
9:55 - 10:30 Guest House:
10:45 - 11:30 Pavilion:
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Tai Chi for Gardeners, with Sensei Craig Westland
"Maintaining the Maintainer"
Since ancient times Tai Chi has been used as a natural medicine to keep the body fit and flexible. You will be learning a traditional Tai Chi set/routine that you will be able to practice for many years to come. We will cover exercises to help the strengthening of sinews, muscles and joints, all with an emphasis on correct posture. We will cover some Qigong (breath work) and some minor stretching.
11:45 - 12:30 pm Visitor Center Gallery:
12:30 - 1:30 Visitor Center Gallery:
1:45 - 2:45 Garden:
(Understanding the forms and functions of a “kokoro garden.”)
3:00 - 4:00 Garden:
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“Pruning Beyond the Ladder: Keeping Gardeners Safe,” with Ben Chu (Horticultural Supervisor, Missouri Botanic Gardener) (Fundamental practices of tree practice)
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Display of climbing equipment, Dan O’Brien (Arborist & CTSP, Russo Power Equipment)
4:15 - 5:15 Visitor Center Gallery:
6:00 - 8:00
* Dinner (on your own in nearby downtown or suburban Rockford)
8:00 - 9:00 Visitor Center Gallery:
Saturday, August 17
*Breakfast on your own (Note: Fresco at the Garden opens at 8 am with great garden views)
9:00 - 9:25 am Visitor Center Gallery:
9:45 - 10:15 Guest House:
10:30 - 11:15 Pavilion:
-
Tai Chi for Gardeners, with Sensei Craig Westland
"Maintaining the Maintainer"
Since ancient times Tai Chi has been used as a natural medicine to keep the body fit and flexible. You will be learning a traditional Tai Chi set/routine that you will be able to practice for many years to come. We will cover exercises to help the strengthening of sinews, muscles and joints, all with an emphasis on correct posture. We will cover some Qigong (breath work) and some minor stretching.
11:30 - 12:15 pm Visitor Center Gallery:
12:30 - 1:30 Visitor Center Gallery:
1:45 - 2:30 Visitor Center Gallery:
2:30 - 3:00 Refreshment & Garden Stroll
3:00 - 4:00 Visitor Center:
(participants will write kokoro 心calligraphy on shikishi)
4:15 - 5:00 Guest House: