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Spring Creative Reset

CHF 450.00

Qi Gong & Ceramic Surface Workshop in Zurich

Reactivating creative flow through body awareness and material exploration

This spring workshop offers a structured moment to reset perception, restore creative momentum and reconnect with clay through the combined practices of Daoist Qi Gong and ceramic surface research.

Rather than focusing on production or finished outcomes, the workshop supports the conditions necessary for meaningful creative renewal:
physical grounding, clarity of attention and deeper sensitivity to material.

Inspired by the seasonal dynamics of renewal and expansion, it provides a calm yet technically rich environment for re-engaging with making.

No previous experience in Qi Gong or ceramics is required.

→ Reserve your place

Day 1 — Qi Gong for Creative Activation

The first day is dedicated to Daoist Qi Gong guided by Birgit Buschmann.

Qi Gong is approached here as a perceptual and physiological practice supporting the internal conditions necessary for sustained creative work.
Rather than functioning as relaxation, it restores rhythm, coordination and attentional stability.

Participants explore:

– breath-guided movement sequences
– postural alignment and grounding principles
– coordination between movement and perception
– release of habitual tension patterns

Certain exercises draw inspiration from Daoist cosmological imagery such as the dynamics of the Big Dipper, used here as perceptual orientation tools rather than symbolic belief systems.

This preparatory work supports the re-emergence of creative clarity through embodied awareness.

Day 2 — Ceramic Surface Practice & Material Intelligence

The second day focuses on an in-depth exploration of ceramic surfaces and intuitive form development.

In regular studio practice, surface work is often approached too quickly due to production rhythms. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to slow down and engage fully with how clay records gesture, time and intention.

Surface becomes the primary field of investigation.

Participants work through processes such as:

– kurinuki carving from solid clay, revealing form through subtraction
– combining different clay bodies to create natural stratification and visual depth
– alternating rapid gestural interventions with slower, more meditative surface development
– tactile construction through pinch, compression and slab-based shaping
– exploration of engobes, raw surface treatments and subtle material contrasts

Particular attention is given to how gesture, rhythm and material resistance shape the emergence of a personal surface language.
Surface decoration is approached as a natural extension of form — emerging from attentive engagement with material rather than applied afterwards.

This focused surface research represents a major step toward developing an individual ceramic direction.

Through sustained engagement with clay, participants cultivate:

– renewed creative momentum
– refined material sensitivity
– confidence in intuitive and technical decisions
– deeper understanding of emerging personal style

The perceptual clarity cultivated through Qi Gong supports a more grounded and coherent relationship to ceramic practice.

A Seasonal Creative Reset

Unlike regular pottery classes, this workshop functions as an intensive moment of re-orientation.

It is particularly relevant for individuals who:

– feel creatively blocked or mentally saturated
– wish to reconnect body awareness with creative practice
– want to deepen sensitivity to surface and material behaviour
– seek a calm yet technically meaningful studio environment

Rather than teaching fixed results, the workshop supports the re-emergence of creative direction through attentive engagement with movement and material.

Practical Information

Dates
2–3 May 2026

Saturday
09:30–12:00
13:30–16:00

Sunday
09:30–12:30
13:30–16:30

Location
Clay & Tao Ceramic Studio
Tramstrasse 53
8050 Zurich

Languages
Qi Gong: German
Ceramics: English or German

Teachers

Birgit Buschmann
Breathing therapist (IAC), TCM therapist and Qi Gong teacher with over 30 years of experience.

Alexandra Romy
Ceramic teacher and founder of Clay & Tao, specialising in technical ceramic practice, material perception and creative direction.

Workshop Contribution

This workshop corresponds to 6 ceramic practice credits.

Additional workshop fee: CHF 210

→ Book the spring workshop

Part of the Clay & Tao Seasonal Cycle

This workshop is part of Clay & Tao’s annual cycle of seasonal ceramic intensives exploring the relationship between rhythm, perception and material transformation.

Participants wishing to continue their practice may integrate regular ceramic classes or further seasonal workshops.

Qi Gong & Ceramic Surface Workshop in Zurich

Reactivating creative flow through body awareness and material exploration

This spring workshop offers a structured moment to reset perception, restore creative momentum and reconnect with clay through the combined practices of Daoist Qi Gong and ceramic surface research.

Rather than focusing on production or finished outcomes, the workshop supports the conditions necessary for meaningful creative renewal:
physical grounding, clarity of attention and deeper sensitivity to material.

Inspired by the seasonal dynamics of renewal and expansion, it provides a calm yet technically rich environment for re-engaging with making.

No previous experience in Qi Gong or ceramics is required.

→ Reserve your place

Day 1 — Qi Gong for Creative Activation

The first day is dedicated to Daoist Qi Gong guided by Birgit Buschmann.

Qi Gong is approached here as a perceptual and physiological practice supporting the internal conditions necessary for sustained creative work.
Rather than functioning as relaxation, it restores rhythm, coordination and attentional stability.

Participants explore:

– breath-guided movement sequences
– postural alignment and grounding principles
– coordination between movement and perception
– release of habitual tension patterns

Certain exercises draw inspiration from Daoist cosmological imagery such as the dynamics of the Big Dipper, used here as perceptual orientation tools rather than symbolic belief systems.

This preparatory work supports the re-emergence of creative clarity through embodied awareness.

Day 2 — Ceramic Surface Practice & Material Intelligence

The second day focuses on an in-depth exploration of ceramic surfaces and intuitive form development.

In regular studio practice, surface work is often approached too quickly due to production rhythms. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to slow down and engage fully with how clay records gesture, time and intention.

Surface becomes the primary field of investigation.

Participants work through processes such as:

– kurinuki carving from solid clay, revealing form through subtraction
– combining different clay bodies to create natural stratification and visual depth
– alternating rapid gestural interventions with slower, more meditative surface development
– tactile construction through pinch, compression and slab-based shaping
– exploration of engobes, raw surface treatments and subtle material contrasts

Particular attention is given to how gesture, rhythm and material resistance shape the emergence of a personal surface language.
Surface decoration is approached as a natural extension of form — emerging from attentive engagement with material rather than applied afterwards.

This focused surface research represents a major step toward developing an individual ceramic direction.

Through sustained engagement with clay, participants cultivate:

– renewed creative momentum
– refined material sensitivity
– confidence in intuitive and technical decisions
– deeper understanding of emerging personal style

The perceptual clarity cultivated through Qi Gong supports a more grounded and coherent relationship to ceramic practice.

A Seasonal Creative Reset

Unlike regular pottery classes, this workshop functions as an intensive moment of re-orientation.

It is particularly relevant for individuals who:

– feel creatively blocked or mentally saturated
– wish to reconnect body awareness with creative practice
– want to deepen sensitivity to surface and material behaviour
– seek a calm yet technically meaningful studio environment

Rather than teaching fixed results, the workshop supports the re-emergence of creative direction through attentive engagement with movement and material.

Practical Information

Dates
2–3 May 2026

Saturday
09:30–12:00
13:30–16:00

Sunday
09:30–12:30
13:30–16:30

Location
Clay & Tao Ceramic Studio
Tramstrasse 53
8050 Zurich

Languages
Qi Gong: German
Ceramics: English or German

Teachers

Birgit Buschmann
Breathing therapist (IAC), TCM therapist and Qi Gong teacher with over 30 years of experience.

Alexandra Romy
Ceramic teacher and founder of Clay & Tao, specialising in technical ceramic practice, material perception and creative direction.

Workshop Contribution

This workshop corresponds to 6 ceramic practice credits.

Additional workshop fee: CHF 210

→ Book the spring workshop

Part of the Clay & Tao Seasonal Cycle

This workshop is part of Clay & Tao’s annual cycle of seasonal ceramic intensives exploring the relationship between rhythm, perception and material transformation.

Participants wishing to continue their practice may integrate regular ceramic classes or further seasonal workshops.

  1. Cancellations made at least 1 month before the event will be fully refunded. Cancellations made less than 1 month before the event are non-refundable, regardless of the reason. Students using a studio class pack (10/20 sessions or Friend of CAT packages) are subject to the same cancellation policy. Late cancellations will not be eligible for refund or rescheduling.

  2. The price for material amounts to 10 CHF per clay kilo (the rate is subject to modification should the electricity or material costs change). Should you want that I finish your ceramics, the cost amonts to 30 chf per clay kilo.

  3. Courses are held in English, German, Italian and French depending on the participants wish.

  4. Students are asked to leave their workplaces clean. Cleaning time is included in the lesson time. It takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on the student's speed.

  5. We kindly ask that all pieces be finished and picked up within 3 months of their start date.

  6. For safety reasons, glazing must be done during designated hours. Students are required to wear black nitrile gloves and an FFP3 mask while glazing. Eating or drinking during glazing is strictly prohibited.

  7. Clay is a precious, non-renewable material. We encourage you to be mindful and intentional when choosing which pieces to keep and fire.

  8. Swiss law applies, Geneva courts are competent.