Chris McGrath

I love learning and have not stopped since leaving the confines of regular schooling. Initially I found university learning really liberating and at the same time in 1970 I discovered Yoga and Meditation. This set me on a parallel learning journey where I had one foot and my head in regular academia and teaching and the other foot and my heart in alternative ways of considering life and health. Slowly but surely I have followed my heart …

Some of my formal learning includes:  PhD (Uni South Australia), MEd (Uni NSW), PTP (Polarity therapist trained with Masterworks International, EIRE), Cert IV Remedial Massage (NSW School of Massage), BA(Psychology, Macquarie Uni), Cert Gifted Ed (Uni NSW), Grad Dip Music (NSW Conservatorium of Music), Remedial Teachers Course (Sydney), Teachers Cert (Wollongong)

Here is a reverse chronology including some major aspects of where I have lived and what I have done …

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In June 2019 we moved to the beautiful town of St Helens, in NE Tassie.  It enjoys the same clean air and unpolluted environment that define Tasmania.  We have down sized and do not have retreat guest stay with us at home. There are attractive nearby locations for accommodation.

We do offer Polarity Therapy and Polarity training here at new home. Retreat options are still available with us.

I am providing Polarity Therapy training in Bali, Indonesia.

I teach Tai Chi and Health QiGong in St Helens.

Phone me on 0416221040 to discuss.

This is Georges Bay in St Helens, NE Tassie. Unpolluted water for black swans and abundant other local life.

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Southern Cross Mountain Retreat was our home and retreat centre from Sept 2017.

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In February 2016 we re-located to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Peregian Beach was home. Noosa region is very special but suffering from overpopulation and exploitation. The energy there is still strong and the Noosa National Park maintains its strength and beauty.

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In early 2012 we relocated back to Sydney. Robbie and I lived at Trincomalee on Rocky Point next to Lovett Bay in Pittwater. This was in the greater Sydney area called Northern Beaches. It was a beautiful healing location surrounded by water and natural forest.

I provided SelfWise therapy sessions at Clarence St, Sydney and at my home at Rocky Point, Pittwater, north of Sydney. I provided Polarity Therapy training at different locations around Australia, NZ and Europe. I taught Tai Chi & Qi Gong classes on Scotland Island, Lovett Bay in Pittwater and at Newport Beach. And I spent time writing, planning and developing Polarity Therapy community.

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From 2010- 2012 while we lived in Manyana on the south coast of New South Wales, I finished writing “SelfWise – tools for the journey and sustainable health choices”, a summary of work developed and trialled over the previous couple of years. SelfWise is about the personal change process and provides a range of ideas and practices to support this journey.

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In 2008 -9, I worked mainly in the east coast area of Australia providing Polarity Therapy and training and SelfWise Retreats with a focus on relaxation and health building.

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In 2008, 2009 and 2010 we provided training in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage and Spa work for staff at Paradise Resort on Taveuni Island, Fiji. For several months at the end of 2009 we worked in a management role at this beautiful island resort.

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From 2006-2008, Robbie and I worked full time as natural therapists at Crystal Lodge, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Polarity Therapy was the main modality I practised. I also provided Swedish, Remedial, Cranio-sacral, Lymphatic drainage and other massage techniques. During this period we were resident managers at Crystal Lodge. I also provided talks about energy therapy to guests, offered daily Qi Gong classes and presented Polarity Therapy training workshops.

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Prior to this I worked for many years as a teacher, lecturer and consultant in NSW educational institutions. I was a consultant for students with special needs including gifted students. In 1995, I was awarded a university research scholarship to undertake doctoral studies about thinking and learning. I am committed to maximising the personal change process and how this is linked to learning and thinking.

In 1990, I was awarded a Teaching Fellowship to study the Education of Gifted Students in China. Since 1991 I have provided many talks and conference presentations about thinking and learning in Australia and internationally. I am interested in the links between thinking, learning, group process and personal change.

I began practising meditation in Sydney in 1971 and later learning Tai Chi and Chi Gong in 1984. I began teaching Tai Chi, Chi Gong and Meditation to students, teachers and others from the early 1990s.

I founded Syntivity Australia in 1998. This concept developed out of my major research on how thinking can be taught. Syntivity is about being mindful, synthesising and creativity. The focus of Syntivity Australia is to facilitate advanced learning and thinking in any sphere of human behaviour, in particular, conscious living.

I had my first Polarity Therapy session in about 1998. A few years later in 2005/6 I began Polarity Therapy training with Bill Hutchinson in Sydney. In 2007 I enjoyed a period of intensive, residential Polarity Therapy training with Phil Young and Morag Campbell in Eire. On return to Australia we became resident managers at Crystal Lodge in Katoomba. Here I was able to practise Polarity Therapy daily and provide weekly talks to our guests about the benefits of Polarity Therapy . I became Chairperson of the Australian Polarity Therapy Association in 2008.

I am enthusiastic surfer and ocean lover. In 2000, I re-discovered skiing and engage in this passion as frequently as possible, especially on the magnificent snowfields in Japan.