On 24 May 2026, the Ryoho Association came together at Crows Nest Community Centre for our Winter Gathering — a day dedicated to connecting with the qualities of winter through Ryoho yoga, massage, Shiatsu, food and community.

Held in the beautiful Johnson Hall at Crows Nest, the gathering provided an opportunity for members, friends and guests to come together, share knowledge and explore practical ways of supporting wellbeing during the winter season.

With the Water Element as our seasonal focus, the day offered a mixture of movement, hands-on learning, discussion and nourishment.

A Day of Winter Wellness

The gathering began at 10:00am with arrivals, introductions and time to meet and reconnect with others in the Ryoho community.

James then welcomed everyone and introduced the Water Element, setting the theme for the day and taking everyone through the program.

At 10:30am, Susan led a Winter Yoga session, giving participants an opportunity to move, breathe and settle into the qualities of the season.

The morning continued with Winter Massage Techniques, presented by Susan and Alex. This practical session gave participants an opportunity to explore massage approaches relevant to winter and to learn from the experience within our Ryoho community.

After lunch, Danielle shared her knowledge of food and cooking methods for Winter, exploring ways that seasonal food and cooking practices can support us through the colder months.

The afternoon finished with a Winter Shiatsu Clinic with Alex, bringing together the practical and therapeutic aspects of Ryoho before the gathering concluded at 3:00pm.

The day’s program

10:00am — Arrive, meet & greet
10:15am — Welcome, introduction to the Water Element & overview of the day with James
10:30am — Winter Yoga with Susan
11:30am — Winter Massage Techniques with Susan & Alex
12:00pm — Lunch
12:45pm — Food & cooking methods for Winter with Danielle
1:30pm — Winter Shiatsu Clinic with Alex
3:00pm — Finish

Exploring the Water Element

In Ryoho, the changing seasons provide an opportunity to reflect on how we can adjust our practices, movement and daily habits in harmony with nature.

Winter is associated with the Water Element, making it a natural time to turn inward, conserve energy and pay attention to rest, nourishment and restoration.

The Winter Gathering brought these ideas into a practical community setting, combining yoga, massage, Shiatsu and food to explore different ways of supporting ourselves through the season.

Bringing the Ryoho Community Together

One of the most valuable aspects of gatherings like this is the opportunity to learn from one another.

The Winter Gathering was open not only to Ryoho teachers but also to the wider community, allowing members to bring along family and friends and share the experience with people who may be new to Ryoho.

The day also reflected the Association’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for learning, connection and shared practice among the Ryoho community.

Thank You

We would like to thank everyone who took part in the Winter Gathering and contributed to making the day a meaningful community experience.

Our thanks go to James, Susan, Alex and Danielle for sharing their knowledge and leading the various sessions throughout the day, and to everyone who attended, participated and helped create the welcoming atmosphere.

The Winter Gathering was another opportunity to come together, learn from each other and explore how Ryoho can help us live more consciously with the changing seasons.

We look forward to continuing this seasonal journey together throughout 2026.