Wednesday morning class

The plumbing problems at TocH are still ongoing and won't be fixed until early in December. I haven't been able to find a replacement venue for Wednesday mornings, but there will be a class on Tuesday mornings 10.30am for the next couple of weeks at Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space instead.

Tai Chi Inter-Fest 2017

Not in the Northwest, but definitely a date for your diaries - 14th-17th July in Newport, Shropshire.

Four days of tai chi to celebrate 80 years of the wonderful Professor Li Deyin. Full details will be announced later.

Wednesday morning class cancelled again :(

I have bad news, I'm afraid. The central heating at TocH is still broken so I am cancelling this Wednesday's class. Fingers crossed we should be back the week after.

If you are missing your tai chi you are very welcome to try a different class this week. You can find my class listings here.

A few of you have already tried other classes when you can't make it to your own. If you pay monthly and you miss your own class, you can always go to a different one without paying again.

Otherwise, I will add another week on for you. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Wednesday morning class cancelled

The good news is that they do have a part for the central heating system at TocH. The bad news is that it won't be arriving until Wednesday morning so we may not have heating in time for the class. As it is getting colder, I am cancelling the class. We should be back to normal next week in a toasty warm hall.

Upcoming events

I'm looking forward to an applications/push hands workshop in Southport tomorrow morning, organised by Angela's Tai Chi School. These are important parts of tai chi that we don't always get a chance to practise enough. Plus I've been getting into the idea of "playing tai chi" and applications and push hands are always fun. :)

I was going to remind you about the Deyin Taijiquan Institute Tai Chi Boot Camp in Telford on Saturday 26 November, but I have just found out that it is already booked up, so if you haven't already reserved your place you will miss my workshop on Visualisation in Tai Chi Practice. There will be more free bootcamps for members - the next one celebrating Chinese New Year on 28 January.

In other news, the free course in Walkden is coming to an end on Monday. The good news is that it will be continuing as a normal paid class from 14 November and will be open to new members, so contact me if you would like to join.

Time change for TocH class

From next Wednesday the class will be starting a bit later, at 10.30am.

FREE tai chi classes

North West and North Wales Tai Chi have got funding to put on a free 8 week tai chi course for beginners at the Guild Hall Community Centre in Walkden, Salford starting Monday 19 September. It will be on Monday mornings from 10am to 11am.

Places are limited, so if you would like to take part then contact me, Jane, to book.

New classes starting

I've recently started teaching a small, friendly class at Heald Farm Court, Sturgess Street, Newton-le-Willows WA12 9HP. It is Monday afternoons 1.30pm-2.30pm and is a mixture of Chinese health qigong and tai chi. It is suitable for beginners and is now open to the public so get in touch if you would like to know more about it.

I will also be starting a class in on Monday mornings in Salford soon and will post details once everything is finalized.

Class cancelled - Wednesday morning 27 July

Just a reminder that there will be no Wednesday morning class at the Leigh South Community Centre next week, 27 July, because the hall is being painted. I'll see you all on the 3 August.

In other news, I had another fantastic weekend at the Chinese Culture Centre in Telford, but I was too busy enjoying the tai chi to take any pictures. You can see other pictures of the weekend on Facebook though.

Last weekend's Summer Camp

Had a fabulous time at the Deyin Taijiquan Institute Summer Camp last weekend. Here are some of the pictures, thanks to Joanne and Julian. You can see more here.

I have been away doing qigong for a few days. We had a wonderful day on Sunday with an interesting talk by Professor Mei Mo Sheng in the morning and qigong in the park in the afternoon.

As I mentioned yesterday, there will be a workshop on 16 step sword coming up in Telford on Saturday 16 July. I thoroughly recommend it if you would like to deepen your understanding of this lovely form. It is also good practice for the 32 step sword as many of the moves are the same. It is at a discounted rate for Deyin members, so if you haven't already joined it is worth doing.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day 2016

It was a great day out and there was a good turnout to enjoy tai chi in the beautiful backdrop of the Festival Gardens. I only managed to take a few pictures but there should be more available from other photographers.

I have also shared the pictures on my new Facebook page (please like if you are on Facebook). And if you haven't yet seen the pictures of my Great Glen Canoe Trek, you can find them here.

Polo shirts are here!

The A Higher Porpoise polo shirts are here. I will be bringing them into class this week, starting tonight.

Upcoming qigong workshops

There are some great opportunities coming up in May to train with visiting qigong masters from China.

On Tuesday 24 May 6-9pm in Blundellsands, Liverpool will be a ba duan jin evening workshop. Contact Angela Howarth to book.

On Sunday 29 May 10-4 in Denshaw, Oldham will be a workshop on daoyin yangsheng gong. Contact Phil Garside to book.

If you are willing to travel a little further to Telford, there is also a unique opportunity to learn about qigong, Daoist health preservation and Chinese culture. This will be followed by an afternoon of qigong in Telford Town Park. This is also on Sunday 29 May and you can book a place here.

And of course don't forget World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is coming up soon, on Saturday 30 April. Come and join me, Angela and other instructors and tai chi players in the Festival Gardens in Liverpool, 10am to 2pm.

In other exciting news, A Higher Porpoise polo shirts should be ready by Monday. :)

Yesterday's Sport Relief event

Yesterday's tai chi walk went well, raising a fantastic £675 for Sport Relief. Well done to all those who took part, whether as walkers, marshals or supporters at the pagoda, and many thanks to everyone who sponsored us. You can see more pictures on Angela's webpage here.

Wednesday morning class moving

Just when things are getting back to normal, I have decided that it is time for the Wednesday morning class to move to a bigger venue. It's been great at the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space but the class is growing and it is time to expand. So from Wednesday 6 April we will be moving to the Leigh South Community Centre (Toc H) on Hope Carr Road.

Tai chi walk for Sport Relief this Saturday

I'm looking forward to taking part in a tai chi walk in aid of Sport Relief this Saturday in the Festival Gardens in Liverpool. It's organised by Angela Howarth and along with some of my students and some of her students we will be tai chi walking for 0.5km, starting at the Pagoda.

We'll be collecting donations on the day. If you can't make it, you can sponsor the group on Angela's Sport Relief Giving Page.

Wednesday classes back to normal :)

The lights have been fixed in the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space so classes are back to normal tomorrow - looking forward to seeing you all again after the break.

Wednesday classes cancelled - still no lights :(

Hello people

I'm really sorry about this - it looks like there is still a problem with the lights in the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space and there will be no classes tomorrow. Fingers crossed everything will be back to normal next week.

Tai chi walk for Sport Relief

As I mentioned in a previous post, I will be taking part in a "tai chi walk" at 10am on 19 March in aid of Sport Relief. It will take place in the Festival Gardens in Liverpool. If you would like to take part, either as a tai chi walker or to volunteer as a marshal, contact Angela Howarth.

For those who don't know, the "tai chi walk" is a nickname for the way you step in both Parting the Wild Horse's Mane and Brush Knee and Twist. The picture is of us doing this at the last World Tai Chi Day. It takes a lot longer than walking the same distance, so instead of a mile we will only be doing 0.5km.

Even if you don't take part please sponsor me and the rest of the team on Angela's Sport Relief page.

Inclusive sport and activity day for 7-14 year olds

I'm looking forward to taking part in an inclusive sport and activity day for children with additional needs. There will be a number of activities going on including tai chi/qigong.

Tomorrow's classes cancelled :(

Hi everyone. I'm afraid both morning and evening classes tomorrow at the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space are cancelled. Not my fault this time - there is a problem with the lights in the room and we would have to do tai chi in the dark!

Luminous Landscapes pictures

As promised, here are some pictures of last night's Luminous Landscape event. The evening started with rain which soon cleared up and I had a fantastic time doing tai chi and qigong with Angela Howarth and students as well as fellow instructor Steve Kennedy. We also had time to have a look round and enjoy the rest of the event.

Upcoming tai chi events in the Northwest

There is lots happening so I thought it was time to give you an update. To start with, from today to Saturday there is a Luminous Landscapes Spring Festival of Light at the Festival Gardens in Liverpool. I will be joining Angela Howarth of Angela's Tai Chi School in luminous tai chi demonstrations. Unfortunately, this event is ticketed and has been fully booked, but I will hopefully have some pictures to share later.

Saturday 27 February. One-day Taiji Kungfu Fan workshop in Aigburth, Liverpool. Fan techniques and the first section of the form. If you are interested in taking up the fan, this is a great opportunity. Contact Angela for details and to book.

Saturday 12 March 10am-1pm. Applications and push hands workshop in Aigburth Liverpool. Contact Angela for details and to book.

Saturday 19 March. Health qigong with Master Faye Li Yip in Stockport. There will be Daoyin Yangsheng Gong 12 in the morning and Five animals in the afternoon. You can go to either or both. Contact Terri Goron to book - details here.

Saturday 19 March. Sponsored tai chi walk for Sports Relief in Festival Gardens Liverpool. Contact Angela if you would like to take part or help out as a marshal.

Sunday 3 April. 24 step form with Master Faye Li Yip in Denshaw, Oldham. Contact Phil Garside for details.

Saturday 30 April. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. Come and join me and other instructors in the Festival Gardens in Liverpool.

Sunday 29 May. Daoyin Yangsheng Gong 12 Health Qigong with Master Faye Li Yip in Denshaw, Oldham. Contact Phil Garside for details.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gōng xĭ fā cái! Welcome to the Year of the Monkey. I hope it brings you health, wealth and happiness. I've just got back from a weekend of tai chi, fun and celebrations with the Deyin Taijiquan Institute.

Thanks to Rene Carlton for the pictures of monkeys from the Longleat Festival of Light.

Tonight's class cancelled :(

Hi everyone.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel tonight's class. I've gone down with a sudden bug and I think it's best if I don't come along and infect you all. The onset was very fast so I am hoping it will go away just as fast. I should be better in time for Wednesday's classes and definitely for the Chinese New Year celebrations in Telford this weekend.

All the best
Jane

Chinese New Year coming soon

It's almost time to say "gōng xĭ fā cái" as Chinese New Year is at the beginning of February this year, welcoming in the Year of the Monkey.

My school, the Deyin Taijiquan Institute in Telford, will be celebrating with a Tai Chi Bootcamp day on Saturday 6 February with lots of interesting tai chi and qigong workshops throughout the day. You can see details of the workshop and book here. There is also a get-together for a meal in the evening. The day is free to members, £15 otherwise. You can become a member for £15 and there will be more free bootcamps for members to come.

Another exciting event is coming up before Chinese New Year. On Saturday 30 January, there will be a morning workshop on tai chi applications and push hands with Angela Howarth in Crosby, Liverpool, also £15. Contact Angela directly to book. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Classes start again on Monday - I look forward to seeing you there.

Best wishes for 2016
Jane