Craig Mallett

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About Me

I am an instructor (and student!) of the Daoist tradition called Ba Men Da Xuan, under the direct tutelage of the guardian of the tradition, Master Serge Augier. 

I started exploring self-cultivation methods in 2003. I accumulated significant experience training with some of the brightest minds in the world (see below) before joining the Da Xuan tradition in 2014. Having a lot of experience with many different modern modalities brings a unique vantage point to my traditional studies. Within the tradition, I specialize in the internal and external physical practices, helping people to restore their relationship to their body and train in a way that is sustainable for the rest of their lives. I aim to present my teachings in a simple, clear way so that they are accessible to everyone.

I hold classes in Brisbane & Noosa (Australia) and teach workshops around Australia and internationally. I teach online through a variety of avenues, including dedicated online students, as well as online courses for people who want to get a taste for a more specific part of the tradition..

I am also trained in traditional healing methods of Da Xuan, which, along with my significant history of working with the physical form, has given me a potent skillset for dealing with physical, emotional and mental troubles.  I am in the progress of adding to my skills by studying Traditional Chinese and Daoist Medicine in my tradition, along with Bazi, Feng Shui and more.

In general, I love to geek out about this stuff and talk with anyone who is interested, so if you’d like to chat please feel free to drop me an email using the button below.

"With time and practice we can shift the body from being a slave to being an extraordinarily reliable friend, one with which you share a most intimate trust."

Craig Mallett

Interested in Training? Contact Me Now

Past Training

I’m quite a curious person by nature, and was always inclined to dig, explore and experiment with ways of practicing to learn more about myself and the world. Before discovering the Da Xuan tradition, I engaged in dedicated training of many other modalities of practice.

 I was lucky enough to train with some incredible teachers of wonderful arts. Major influences include:

  • Training in the traditional Chinese arts of Xin Yi Liu He Quan (Heart, Mind & Six Harmonies boxing), Cha Quan (Cha family boxing) and Yang Style Tai Chi under my first teacher Master Wang [2003 – 2013]
  • Becoming a certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness instructor [2012]
  • Exploring various systems of training including Physical Alchemy (Dave Wardman), Modern Methods of Mobility (Emmet Louis), Stretch Therapy (Kit Laughlin & Olivia Allnutt), Ancestral Movement (Simon Thakur), Evolve Move Play (Rafe Kelley), Gymnastic Strength Training, Calisthenics, MovNat, Ido Portal Method, Urban Dance, Parkour, Gymnastics, Capoeira, Handstands and more. [2005 – 2018]
 

Unfortunately, it is not possible to do everything, and so I made the difficult choice to let go of these former arts. While I do not to continue pursuing a practice in any of them, they each made a significant contribution to my education and helped shape who I am today. I am forever indebted to these teachers who dedicated themselves to diving deeply into their chosen arts and were kind enough to share their wisdom with me. 

My personal explorations into physical development were previously done under the handle ‘Aware Relaxed Connected’. In 2017 I decided to dissolve ARC and merged into Physical Alchemy, presenting teachings from my various tinkerings alongside Dave Wardman. However, it soon became clear that I was being called to be more fully involved and engaged with my tradition, Da Xuan, and I broke away to focus on training and teaching this on my own.

BA MEN DA XUAN

Traditional DAOIST CULTIVATION
The practices for longevity and internal cultivation that I teach are not new. They come from a Daoist tradition called Ba Men Da Xuan (or Da Xuan for short). What is Daoism and what is Da Xuan? Read on to find out...

When teaching practices of longevity, it is a good idea to look towards methods that have existed long enough to actually see if they work in reality as well as in theory. Many modern methods talk of longevity, but have only been around for 20 years or so. How can we possibly know if these methods will be as effective in the long term? This is why everything I teach comes from the Da Xuan tradition.

Da Xuan is a family Daoist (often also spelt ‘Taoist’) lineage under the leadership of Master Serge Augier (pictured above), which has has a recorded history spanning more than 1,500 years, and an oral history reaching back thousands more. Daoism is a traditional practice of self-cultivation and spiritual evolution that asks us to explore the way we function and our relationship with ourselves and the world around us. There are many different types of Daoism, and while the Da Xuan tradition shares similar origins to other Chinese traditions of religious or temple Daoism, our tradition is specifically non-cultural and non-religious. The focus is on the development of human qualities, and as such the practices are open to anyone of any culture or belief. 

The main idea is Da Xuan is to engage in a personal daily practice that will progressively reveal more details about how we function, while simultaneously building an excess of personal resources and energy that will keep us full of vitality while we undergo our search. There are various philosophies that frame the practices, but rather than asking students to take on certain beliefs, students are instead encouraged to keep practicing so they can discover for themselves what the framing ideas are pointing to – through direct, personal experience.  Practice leads to more information, more information leads to better decisions, and more energy helps us to confront the challenges of life with vitality.

Practice is approached in a balanced and centered way following the ideal of the famous Yin Yang symbol (a symbol originally created by Daoist practitioners), which pictures opposite forces moving around a central point in harmony with each other.

The modern Yin Yang Symbol (left), and a more traditional version (right)

Consider the spectrum of Yin and Yang in the human being – there is the physical body (Yin), the breath/circulation (Yin + Yang), and the mind (Yang). To create balance in practice, each aspect is treated as being of equal importance, and as such is given the same amount of attention in practice. This allows the practitioner to develop universal qualities and capacities related to each of these aspects, qualities which are established using simple exercises rather than choreographed performances. The practice opens the possibility of fully expressing our own individuality without becoming a mere copy of the teacher.

An overview gives an idea of what a complete Daoist training involves:

Practices of the Mind & Spirit (Shen – Yang)

Train the mind to focus, help it to relax, understand how it functions and the various tricks it uses.    

Practices of the Breath & Circulation (Qi – Yin + Yang)

Increase breathing capacity for more vitality, improved circulation, and develop the capacity for real energetic exchange.     

Practices of the Physical Body (Jing – Yin)

Build strength by training the weak points of the structure, improve alignment and coordination, help unwanted tension relax, and become more grounded.

A Bigger Picture

Training of the individual is not the only study undertaken in Daoism. In total, there are 5 major branches of study (and 1 hidden branch not discussed):

Mountain

The cultivation of all aspects of the human being, as discussed above.  

Destiny

Understanding of Bazi, Zi Wei Du Shou and the Celestial Mandate to help us relate to ourselves and others better.  

Divination

The study of changes of the world via the Yi Jing (classic of changes) and Qi Men Dun Jia to understand the possibilities and find the best course of action.

Observation

The arts of Feng Shui and Mian Xiang (Face Reading) teach us to observe how shapes, space and timing can be strategically used to help position ourselves skillfully in the world. 

Medicine

Complete studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Tui Na (Daoist Massage), and Daoist Medicine help us to understand health and disease, and keep us and those around us in good health.

 

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These methods work for everyone

Whether you are young or old, athletic or sedentary, these methods will put you in a better relationship with yourself. Contact me now to get started, or head on over to the community area and join in the conversations!