Upcoming workshops in the Northwest

I have been meaning to keep you posted about tai chi and qigong events in the area, so here goes.

On Saturday 6 December, Master Faye Li Yip will be giving a one-day health qigong seminar in Stockport with Daoyin Yangsheng Gong in the morning and Ba Duan Jin in the afternoon (this is the one we have done in class). You can attend either the morning, the afternoon or both. For details and to book, contact Terri Goron.

On Saturday 10 January in Aigburth, Liverpool, Angela's Tai Chi School is putting on a 3 hour workshop on martial applications of tai chi and push hands. I went to the last one and can thoroughly recommend it. For details and to book, contact Angela Howarth.

That's all for now, but I will keep you posted about future events.

Swords and stuff

After our chat last night, I will be including a straight sword form in our Monday class, starting after Christmas. We will begin with some sword techniques and go on to the 16-step sword form.

As I said last night, I would like to keep the first hour of the class for the 24-step hand form and qigong. The weapons section will be an optional half-hour afterwards.

If you would like to buy a practice sword (or anything else) from Tai Chi Link please let me know by next week, as I will be in Wolverhampton on the weekend of 15th/16th November and can pick it up in person and save on the postage.

This goes for my Wednesday class too - if you haven't bought the 16-step dvd and are still planning to, then let me know by next week and I can pick it up for you.

M62 closed

Captain's Lane class: If you come by the M62, the westbound side is expected to be closed most of the day after a serious collision. Check the traffic report before you set out!

Zhan Zhuang

Lowton class: don't forget homework is due in this Wednesday. The homework is to label a stick figure with important points to remember when performing zhan zhuang (the same important points you should remember when performing tai chi).

This article from the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain website may be helpful.

Lowton tai chi class restarts tomorrow

After a week on and a week off, we start the tai chi course in earnest tomorrow. We'll be having a look at Tishou, which is a left-handed version of Play Guitar. Play Guitar is an approximate translation of Shouhui Pipa and the pipa is the instrument being played in the picture.

You will also be making a start on your Individual Learning Plans, so do remember to bring pens and reading glasses if you need them.

No class tonight

Hi

Just a reminder that there is no class at Lowton High School tonight. See you next week!

Welcome Lowton High School class!

A big welcome to my new class at Lowton High School. I hope you enjoyed the class yesterday. On this course we will be making a start on the Yang style 16-step form. Here is a video of me doing it. This is what we are working towards.

And this is how it should be done: this is an earlier blog post of my teacher, Master Tary Yip, doing the form.

I look forward to seeing you again in two weeks time. Until then, keep practising your Zhan Zhuang.

New class in Lowton in September

The class in Captain's Lane will be back on Monday after my week off. I hope you've found some time to practise over the holiday!

I'll also be putting on a 10-week course at Lowton High School on Wednesday evenings at 8pm which starts on 17 September. It will be a course for beginners on the first half of the 16-step Yang style form and is £25 for the 10 weeks. There will be a follow-on course after Christmas on the second half of the form.

If you would like to do this course, enrolment is next Wednesday 3 September at Lowton High School, between 5pm and 7pm.

August Bank Holiday

Hi. This is just to remind you that there will be no class on Monday as it is the August Bank Holiday and I will be enjoying the festival in Sefton Park (weather permitting). I hope you all have as enjoyable a bank holiday as I plan to have, and I will see you the week after!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

Remember there will be a class on Easter Monday, but I will be away for two weeks after that and we will be back on Monday 12th May.

Enjoy the holiday and keep up the tai chi.

Workshops with Faye Li Yip

There will be a couple of opportunities coming up in early April to train with Faye Li Yip in the 24 step form. Faye is the great-niece of Li Tianji who originally created this popular form.

On Saturday 5th April she will be in Liverpool doing a one-day workshop for improvers, and on Sunday 6th April in Oldham there will be a rare chance to explore the ten tai chi essences and inner spirit in the context of the 24 step form.

These workshops are a few weeks away but it is best to book early to avoid disappointment.

You can contact Angela Howarth in Liverpool for the first workshop and Phil Garside on 07790 826841 for the second.

I hope you have all enjoyed the beginning of Chinese New Year - I certainly have! I have been down in Wolverhampton celebrating with my school, the Deyin Taijiquan Institute. We took part in some great workshops and went out for a meal - here is a picture of the lion dancing in the restaurant.

Gōng xǐ fā cái!

Kung hei fat choy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

We're now entering the year of the hardworking horse.