Welcome to a four-day workshop with Ann Danaiya Usher at the spectacular Nøsen Retreat Centre in the Norwegian mountains. Designed for practitioners of tai chi in the tradition of Moy Lin Shin, this workshop offers a systematic presentation of grounding principles to deepen your understanding of the movement.
The program will be playful, interactive, and hands-on, with plenty of time and space to experiment and explore.
Tai Chi Grammar
In language, grammar is the underlying structure guiding and informing the way we speak. Once we speak a language, we no longer need the grammar. But while we are learning, grammar can be a tool that can help us along the way.
“Tai chi grammar” is both a set of principles and a methodology. It aims to give students, veteran practitioners and people newer to the art, an explanatory framework, a set of tools that can help deepen your understanding of the movement, to gain autonomy in your own practice, and to connect to the spine.
About Ann Danaiya Usher
A resident of Norway since 1996, Ann Danaiya Usher began her practice of tai chi in the early 1980s in Montréal, Canada. She has taught classes and workshops in Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
Over the last decade, she has been investigating the internal structures of the movement, in search of a methodology to inform her own practice and to ground her teaching. This pursuit has resulted in the development of a set of principles – a “grammar” of tai chi.
Previous Workshops
The first Tai Chi Grammar workshop was held at Nøsen in autumn 2024, hosted by Ann and her teacher Philippe Gagnon.
Philippe describes the method as:
“A structured way to introduce students to a central, yet often elusive, feature of internal movement … stretching the lower spine … addressing one of the cornerstones of internal movement.”
Participants have said:
“It changed the understanding of my tai chi practice.”
“The newest perspective on tai chi I have come across so far.”
“It transformed my understanding of sitting and dropping.”
“Very important in my journey and my learning of tai chi.”
Workshop Structure – March 2026
This workshop in March 2026 will be the third time that Ann offers this course. It will take place over four days. It is intended both for people who have just learned the set and for experienced practitioners and teachers. We will go systematically through the first principles of Tai Chi Grammar, finding applications in the set and making concepts relevant to each student’s practice and individual challenges.
You can expect:
Six sessions (3 hours each), spread over four days
Systematic exploration of first principles of Tai Chi Grammar
Applications to the set and to each participant’s personal practice
Optional early-morning stretching and meditation sessions
Evenings for exchange, free practice, play, and discussion
Long lunch breaks with time to rest or walk in the mountains
Workshop Program
Thursday, March 26, 2026
13:00 – Lunch and check-in
15:00–18:00 – Introductions and first practice
18:00 – Dinner
20:00 – Open evening practice, play, exchange (optional)
Friday, March 27, 2026
07:30 – Meditation and stretching (optional)
09:00 – Breakfast
10:00–13:00 – Practice
13:00 – Lunch and free time
15:00–18:00 – Practice
18:00 – Dinner
20:00 – Open evening practice, play, exchange (optional)
Saturday, March 28, 2026
07:30 – Meditation and stretching (optional)
09:00 – Breakfast
10:00–13:00 – Practice
13:00 – Lunch and free time
15:00–18:00 – Practice
18:00 – Dinner
20:00 – Open evening practice, play, exchange (optional)
Sunday, March 29, 2026
07:30 – Meditation and stretching (optional)
09:00 – Breakfast
10:00–13:00 – Practice
13:00 – Lunch and check-out
Practical Information
Location: Nøsen is about 3–4 hours northwest of Oslo.
Buses and trains run from Oslo to Fagernes and Gol.
Transport from there to Nøsen is available (for a fee).
Travel details: How to get here.
Meals & Stay:
Lunch is included on Thursday.
Accommodation and meals are provided by Nøsen Yoga and Fjellhotell.
The retreat centre is surrounded by hiking trails—ideal for extending your stay.
Friends and family are welcome. Discounts are available for children.
Registration: Please register on the link below. For questions regarding accommodation, transport to Nøsen from Gol or Fagernes, and other logistics, please contact: post@nosenyoga.no. For questions about the workshop and anything else, please contact Ann here: ann_danaiyausher@hotmail.com
Prices
The prices below include instruction, room, and three vegetarian meals per day, with lunch upon arrival on March 26, 2026 and lunch before departure on March 29, 2026.
Shared room (4 person) kr 5,050.-
Shared room (2 person) kr 5,600.-
Standard single room kr 6,650.-
Double room with shared bathrooms kr 6,650.-
Double room with own bathroom kr 6,950.-
About Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell
Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell is a mountain retreat center in the heart of Valdres, Norway, surrounded by breathtaking nature and peaceful hiking trails. We host yoga retreats, workshops, and events year-round, offering guests a chance to slow down, connect with themselves, and enjoy nourishing vegetarian meals in a warm and welcoming community.
About BITR – Back in the Ring
Our hotel is run by a dedicated mix of staff and volunteers, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere. Some of our volunteers join us through Back in the Ring (BITR) – a transformative program that supports people in rebuilding confidence, resilience, and purpose after life’s challenges. They take part in daily operations while developing practical skills, building community connections, and engaging in personal growth activities. This means you may meet people from all walks of life, each contributing in their own way to the Nøsen experience. We invite you to embrace the spirit of patience, openness, and shared humanity that makes our community special.
