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

• 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.

As summer draws closer, we’re returning to our Norwegian home away from home.

For the third spring - or very early summer - in a row, we’d love to invite you to join us for a weekend at beautiful Nøsen. Expect Mysore-style mornings and inspiring afternoon workshops. Together we’ll practica Ashtanga Yoga, explore arm balances and handstands, and take time for technique, good streches, and deep relaxation.

All levels are warmly welcome!

Nøsen is set in beautiful surroundings at 908 meters above sea level, with majestic mountain peaks all around and a lovely lake right in front of us. You will enjoy three delicious and nourishing vegetarian meals each day, served buffet-style (or as a packed lunch), lovingly prepared by our chefs, who draw inspiration from yogic and Ayurvedic principles.

We look forward to welcoming you at Nøsen and to spend this spring weekend in a relaxing and beautiful environment together with you!!

Program

Friday:

• 16.30 - Soft stretch, “hips & twist” Lotta’s kind of “ashtanga-yin”

• 18.00 - Dinner

Saturday:

• 07.00 - 09.00 Ashtanga yoga Mysore style

  Ashtanga practice in the traditional method of self practice. You will be fully supported no matter where your are on your journey of Ashtanga - everyone is welcome, beginners through to seasoned Ashtangis

• 09.00 - 10.00 Breakfast

• 12:00 - 13:00 Workshop
  Asana alignment and technique, based on the group + Q&A.

• 13.00 - 14.00 Lunch

• 15.00 - 17.00 Handstand 1

  Understanding the journey to a safe handstand practice. Shoulders, core, stretch and strength with handstand play.

• 18.00 - 19.00 Dinner

Sunday:

•  07.00 - 09.00 Ashtanga yoga Mysore style

•  09.00 - 10.00 Breakfast

• 10.00 - 11.00 Check-out

• 11.00 - 13:00 Handstand 2

  Continuing from yesterday + Discussion on the workshops and anything else that you could have in mind. Lotta will share how her yoga journey was and how it developed over time and how ageing can be addressed in a sensible and meaningful way.

• 13.00 - 14.00 Lunch and good bye

About Lotta and Andrew

Lotta Sebzda is a 59 years old hairdresser-ashtangalover - mother of two adult children and two grandchildren.  

Ever since Lotta was a child, she was mostly upside down, doing handstands, cartwheel or other gymnastic.

When she found AshtangaYoga in the late 90s it was like coming home, she says - she was immediately drawn to the practice.

Since that day it’s a big part of her life - with dedication, love, curiosity, energy and gratefulness, she follows the traditional Mysore style. It was taught by late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and now his grandson, R. Sharath Jois. 

Andrew also started his AshtangaYoga-journey in the same time as Lotta. With a background as a basketball-player, he had many old injuries to deal with. Ashtanga yoga helped him to strengthen the weak and injured parts of his body, and today yoga is the only thing that keeps him strong, both in body and mind.

About prices

• Single room: 5450 kr

• Double w/ shared bathroom: 5450

• Double room w/ private bathroom: 5650

• Shared room (2 people): 4250 kr per person

• Shared room (4 people): 3950 kr per person

Prisen inkluderer:

• Accomodation 2 nights at Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell

• 3 nutritious vegetarian meals per day

• Tea and coffee during the retreat

• All classes and workshops

Prisen inkluderer ikke:

• Coffee or tea from the barista

• Extra towels or sheets

• Transport from/to Fagernes or Gol (find prices here )

INTEGRATE Norway

INTEGRATE Norway is a six-day immersion in the Norwegian mountains bringing together Mysore-style yoga, strength training, and recovery practices.

Mornings begin with traditional Mysore-style Ashtanga practice. Late mornings and afternoons include strength and mobility workshops in Nøsen’s new gym, with practical tools to support resilience and longevity in your practice.

There is also space built into each day to be outdoors. You’ll have time to hike in the mountains, swim in the lake, or simply rest. Some of this time will be guided as group activities, while other moments are left free for you to recharge on your own. All of it is supported by nourishing meals, ideal sleep conditions, and sauna recovery.

Ashtanga builds presence and discipline. Strength training builds resilience and longevity. When we integrate them intelligently, together with recovery and time in nature, the result is a system you can practice implementing in real time, learning how these elements merge to support your life beyond the retreat.

Evenings are simple: shared meals, quiet reflection, and optional conversations about practice, recovery, and integration.

About Wade Oakley

Wade Oakley is an Authorized Level 2 Ashtanga teacher under R. Sharath Jois and the founder of Scaffold Labs. He began practicing at the University of Virginia in 2012 under John Bultman and has made many extended trips to Mysore, India, to study with his teacher, Sharath Jois. In 2018 he was granted Level 2 Authorization, which he continues to honor through practice and teaching in the spirit of Mysore’s tradition.

Wade teaches globally, as well as online through one-on-one coaching in yoga, strength, nutrition, and more. His teaching integrates strength training with Ashtanga to build resilience, longevity, and personal ownership in practice. At INTEGRATE, he leads both yoga and strength, creating an environment where practitioners can experience how these approaches fit together in real time.

Contact: wade@scaffoldlabs.xyz

Instagram: @wadeoakley

Program

• 07:00–09:00 – Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga / Led Primary

• 09:00–10:00 – Breakfast

• 11:00–12:30 – Strength / Mobility Workshop (gym + yoga integration)

• 13:00–14:00 – Lunch

• 14:00–18:00 – Afternoon Adventure / recovery / free time

• 18:00–19:00 – Dinner

• Evenings – Optional activity

Program is illustrative and may change day to day, depending on weather and group preferences. We'll ensure adequate notice and plenty of time for both activity and recovery.

Prices

• Shared room (up to 4 people): NOK 12,350 per person

• Twin room (up to 2 people): NOK 12,850 per person

• Single room: NOK 16,100 per person

• Double room (shared bathroom): NOK 16,100

• Double room (own bathroom): NOK 16,250

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 all year around, 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.

Har du lyst til å oppleve premieren for denne kombinasjon av grunnleggende sangteknikk og dypdykk i qigong? Sammen med qigong-mester Harald Øygard og sangpedagog Anna Granqvist reiser vi til naturskjønne Valdres i september.

– Ingen forkunnskaper kreves!

Lad opp batteriene ordentlig innfor høsten med en frisk kombinasjon av Qi gong, sang, fjelluft og helsebringende mat. Du vil vende hjem med fordypet kunnskap om, og større trygghet i egen sangstemme. Kanskje får du også med deg noen nye vennskap.

Velkommen!

For deg som vil:

• Utvikle sangstemmen

• Prøve ut Qigong

• Unne deg en ukes retreat på fjellet

• Bli servert fantastisk smakrik vegetarmat som styrker kroppen

• Bli en stødigere korsanger

• Få en forståelse for hvordan stemmens anatomi er skrudd sammen

• Få kontroll på nervesystemet

• Ha det gøy

Disse fem dagene gir en unik mulighet til å prøve på både sangteknikk og Qigong sammen med sangpedagog Anna Granqvist og Qigongmester Harald Øygard. Gjennom kurset vil du bli bedre kjent med stemmen din og ha sangpedagog tilgjengelig for spørsmål.

Det å lære sangteknikk i gruppe åpner også opp for å utforske klanger og flerstemthet, så dette blir en leken blanding av teori, kanon, rytmiske leker og korsang. Vi har valgt ut både gåsehudvakre og festlige sanger vi skal prøve oss på, så det er bare å glede seg.

Du vil også få jobbe med fokusert lytting, og lære noen triks for å synge klokkerent sammen med andre. Det er spesielt verdifullt for deg som synger (eller ønsker å begynne) i kor. Kråke eller nattergal? Kurset passer både for nybegynnere og for deg som holdt på en stund, men vil friske opp grunnteknikken.

Faglig innehold - sangkurs

• Teoretisk innføring i sangstemmens anatomi.

• Hva er støtte, og hvordan koble den på?

• Pustemeditasjoner som går løs på gamle blokkeringer og frigjør stemmen.

• Intonasjonsøvelser; for å bli mer samstemt med andre.

• Aktiv lytting.

• Innlæring av noen enkle flerstemte sanger som du vil elske.

Kurset inkluderer et gjennomillustrert kompendium der teorien og de viktigste øvelsene i kurset er oppsummert.

Qigong

Harald Øygard vil fokusere på øvelser fra qigong som er direkte knyttet til pust, stemme og holdning. Du vil blant annet få prøve Drage Daoyin, Buqi stance, klingende mantraer og pustemeditasjoner.

Hvem passer kurset for?

Dette er et grunnkurs som ikke krever forkunnskaper, som er åpent for alle kvinner.
Du er kanskje korsangere som ønsker å bli «den trygge» i stemmegruppen?
Du kanskje har sunget en del før, men vil friske opp basiskunnskapene?
Du kanskje bare vil investere i deg selv en uke, og lære noe nytt?

Hvorfor bare kvinner?

Fordi anatomien er forskjellig har vi også litt ulike behov når vi jobber med sangteknikk (ikke minst når vi skal opp i høyden). Her vil vi dykke kompromissløst inn i kvinnestemmens problemstillinger og muligheter, og utforske musikk skrevet for damekor.

Kursholdere

Vi gleden av å ha med Qi gong-mester Harald Øygard på laget tre av dagene, som sammen med Anna Granqvist vil utforske potensialet som ligger i stemmen. Qi gong hjelper oss å frigjøre energier, gå løs på spenninger i kroppen og å komme i dyp kontakt med pusten. Dette er helt sentralt for å få kraft i sangstemmen. Sang er en naturlig og kraftfull komponent i Qi gong, og vi gleder oss til å for første gang prøve ut et kurs med denne spennende kombinasjonen.

Anna Granqvist – Sang

Anna Granqvist er utdannet sangpedagog fra Norges Musikkhøyskole (cand.mag), og har også studert ved Operastudio 67 i Stockholm. Hun har sunget i kor siden hun som 9-åring startet i Adolf Fredriks musikklasser i Stockholm, og begynte å ta sangtimer som 12-åring.
I tillegg til å undervise enkeltelever både privat og på musikkskole har hun 19 års fartstid som kordirigent. Siden 2014 jobber hun som skrivende redaktør for Korbladet, som er Norges Korforbunds medlemsavis og går ut til 26.500 sangere og dirigenter i Norge.
Anna er også illustratør, og bruker sin lekne strek til å forenkle komplekse teorier for å gjøre kunnskapen tilgjengelig for fler. Hun har blant annet utviklet det digitale notelæringsverktøyet "Notelyst" sammen med Liv Astrid Hall i regi av Norges Korforbund.

🔗 Les mer om Anna og Sangerverkstedet her

Harald Øygard – Qi Gong

Harald Øygard er en av Norges mest erfarne instruktør innen Qigong, Taiji og Meditasjon og underviser ukentlig ved Qigongsenteret i Oslo. Han har studert i inn og utland og har undervist siden slutten av 90-tallet. I dag er det godt over 100 studenter som følger Harald gjennom ukentlig undervisning og helgekurs.
Harald har studert Qigong, Taiji og Meditasjon siden 1995, og har undervist aktivt siden 2000. Harald har pedagagogisk utdannelse og er en meget erfaren og populær instruktør, og hans kurs blir alltid fulle etter anbefaling fra andre som har trent med han. Han er en pådriver for utvikling av Qigong og Taiji i Norden, og er leder av Nordisk Buqi Organisasjon som holder helgekurs med internatsjonale instruktører på jevnlig basis.

🔗 Les mer om Harald Øygard og Qigongsenteret her

Program

(endringer kan forekomme)

Mandag

• 13:00 – 14:00 - Lunsj

• Innsjekk fra 15:00 (bagasje kan settes i gangen så lenge)

• 14:30 – 17:00 - Velkommen og kort oversikt over ukens program før vi går i gang med første sangbolk med Anna Granqvist: Rigge klangkassen.

• 17.00 – 18.00 - Egentid

• 18:00 – 19:00 - Middag

• 19:30- 21:00 - Kveldsøkt der vi jobber grundig med pusten for å få mer kraft i stemmen, synger sammen og avslutter med en kveldsmeditasjon.

Tirsdag

• 08:00 - 08:45 - Felles meditasjon med pust og bevegelser

• 09:00 – 10:00 - Frokost

• 10:00 – 12:00 - Vi fortsetter med sangteknikk: Hvordan kan vi forme klangen ved å løsne spenninger i kjeve og tunge?

• 13:00 – 14:00 - Lunsj

• 14:00 – 15:30 - Fritid/Naturopplevelser

• 15:30 – 17:30 - Intro Qi gong med Harald Øygard

• 18:00 – 19:00 - Middag

• 20:00- 21:00 - Vi synger sammen og avslutter med en kveldsmeditasjon

Onsdag

• 08:00 – 08:45 - Felles meditasjon

• 09:00 – 10:00 - Frokost

• 10:00 – 12:00 - Qi gong.

• 13:00 – 14:00 - Lunsj

• 14:00 – 15:30 - Fritid/ Naturopplevelser

• 15:30 – 17:30 - Qi gong fortsetting

• 18:00 – 19:00 - Middag

• 20:00 – 21:00 - Seanse med dyp lytting og sang

Torsdag

• 08:00 – 08:45 - Felles meditasjon

• 09:00 – 10:00 - Frokost

• 10:00 – 12:30 - Qigong.

• 13:00 – 14:00 - Lunsj

• 14:00 – 15:30 - Fritid/Naturopplevelser

• 15:30 – 17:30 - Sangteknikk. Vi lærer hvordan komme smidig opp og ned i registret, og jobber med intonasjonstrening (å synge rent sammen)

• 18:00 – 19:00 - Middag

• 20:00- 21:00 - Vi synger sammen og avslutter med en kveldsmeditasjon

Fredag

• 08:00 – 08:45 - Felles meditasjon (frivillig)

• 09:00 – 10:00 - Frokost

• 10:00 – 12:30 - Vi jobber videre med hvordan få kraft i stemmen, og avslutter med fellessang.

• 13:00 – 14:00 - Lunsj og utsjekking

Praktisk

Ta på myke klær som du kan bevege deg fritt i. Ingen stramme bukser.
Vi bruker ikke sko i sangundervisningen, men lette innesko med glatt såle kan være fint til Qigong hvis du ønsker. 

Det er mulig å booke overnatting på Nøsen fra søndag dersom du ønsker.

Har du spørsmål om innhold i kurset kan du sende mail til anna@granqvist.no

Har du spørsmål til Nøsen kan du stille dette på post@nosenyoga.no

Din investering

• Delt rom (3-4 pers totalt) - 8,750 kr

• Delt rom (2 pers) - 9,050 kr

• Singelrom - 10,500 kr

• Dobbeltrom with shared bathroom - 10,500 kr

• Dobbeltrom with own bathroom - 10,850 kr

Prisen inkluderer:

• Overnatting i 4 netter hos Nøsen Yoga og Fjellhotell

• 3 deilige vegtariske måltider daglig - fra lunsj mandag - lunsj fredag

• kaffe og te

Prisen inkluderer ikke:

• Spesial-te og espressobasert kaffe fra kaffebaren

• Henting på Gol/Fagernes om du ankommer med tåg eller buss. Se info ved booking.