Happy Holidays!

There are no more classes now until the week starting 7 January 2019, so have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year, and keep up the tai chi and qigong.

Wednesday afternoon class opens to new beginners

It has been lovely doing tai chi and qigong among the books at @HindleyLibraryAndCommunityCentre. A big thank you to Chapter One Tea Rooms for getting the class started.

We've outgrown the children's section now though and it's time to move on. From this Wednesday 7 November classes will be at @HurstDance studios.

This means that we can now take on beginners again so if you would like to join the class do get in touch. We will be doing tai chi and qigong on Wednesday afternoons, 2.30pm to 3.30pm at Hurst Dance Studios, 51 Market Street, Hindley WN2 3AE.

Five Animal Frolics starting this Wednesday

Book now to try this fun and accessible qigong form. Access your inner tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird, while improving your mental and physical wellbeing with gentle qigong exercises.

The 6 week course will take place at Leigh South (TocH) Community Centre, 32 Hope Carr Road, WN7 3ET, on Wednesday mornings, 10am-11am, starting 24 October. Only £27.

Email taiji@ahigherporpoise.com to book a place.

(: Happy World Mental Health Day :)

(: It's World Mental Health Day today. We all need to look after our mental health, so be happy and nourish mind and body with tai chi and qigong. :)

Qigong course - Wu Qin Xi or Five Animal Frolics

Wu Qin Xi or Five Animal Frolics, as its name suggests, is a joyful qigong form, suitable for all ages and abilities. In various stretches the qigong player endeavours to get into the spirit of each of the five animals: the powerful courageous tiger, the playful carefree deer, the calm steady bear, the clever nimble monkey and the graceful agile bird.

There will be a 6 week course on Five Animal Frolics at Leigh South (TocH) Community Centre, 32 Hope Carr Road, WN7 3ET. It will be on Wednesday mornings, 10am-11am, starting 24 October.

Pictures from World Health Qigong Day

 In spite of the rain a few hardy souls turned out for World Health Qigong Day in Lilford Park. We were sheltered by the Chinese parasol tree and did ba duan jin, wu qin xi, yi jin jing and dao yin yang sheng gong before we decided to finish off with coffee and chat in Costa. Thanks to David Clarke for the pictures.

3rd European Health Qigong games - The Journey

I want to share this BHQA video of memories of the European Health Qigong Games. I'm happy to have been a part of this.

World Health Qigong Day

I had a fabulous time at the European Health Qigong Games. It was inspiring being there with so many world class qigong players and teachers.

Now I'm home, the next thing to look forward to is World Health Qigong Day on Saturday 8 September.

More than 40 countries and regions will be taking part. Here is a map of the events organised by British Health Qigong Association instructors. As you can see on the map we will be having an event in Leigh, weather permitting. It will be held in Lilford Park, Elmridge, Leigh WN7 1HN from 10am to midday. I will be there along with other BHQA and Deyin Taijiquan Institute instructors Terri Owen and Joanne Barton.

If you are entering the park through the main entrance, go straight ahead and we will meet under the tree. You can also get into the park from the guided bus route along the side. The nearest stop is Holden Road on the V1 route.

But the qigong doesn't stop there because the week after I will be taking part in a qigong conference in Liverpool organised by the Qigong School at the Personal Energy Centre. It runs 14-16 September and you can book a place on Eventbrite here.

And there is still time to book a place on the Deyin Autumn Bootcamp. I have already booked mine. While this event is more focused on tai chi it does generally include some qigong as well.

Holiday and upcoming events

This is a reminder that there are no classes next week as I will be at the European Health Qigong Games in Hertfordshire. If you would like to go along you can find out more information here.

Classes start again the week beginning Monday 3 September, and as soon as I get back we will be getting ready for World Health Qigong Day on Saturday 8 September. There will be events all over the country and all over the world, and ours will be held at Lilford Park, Elmridge, Leigh WN7 1HN, starting at 10am.

On the same day, Master Tary Yip will be giving morning and afternoon workshops in Liverpool on qigong and 13 step Sun style tai chi. You can book with Angela here.

And of course it is never too soon to book a place on the Deyin Autumn Bootcamp on Saturday 6 October as these popular events often get booked up early. Free for members of the Deyin Taijiquan Institute there is always a good variety of quality teaching.

Beginners' qigong course coming soon

Starting Wednesday 1 August, you can enjoy learning the art of qigong which can help you feel better, more relaxed and healthier in mind and body.

With the European Health Qigong Games coming up later in August, being held in the UK for the first time, it's the perfect time to look more closely at this ancient Chinese practice.

There have always been strong links between tai chi and qigong, and qigong has traditionally been taught as part of the tai chi syllabus. Both use slow, graceful movements as a gentle way to exercise, encouraging health and relaxation.

The qigong set we will be looking at is the ba duan jin or eight treasures. It dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and is one of the original four sets adapted by the Chinese Health Qigong Association.

The course is aimed at beginners and will be on Wednesday mornings 10am to 11am at the Leigh South (TocH) Community Centre, 32 Hope Carr Road, Leigh WN7 3ET. A bargain at £36 this is an opportunity not to be missed.

Resources for 24 step and 88 step Yang style forms

Although the best way to learn and improve on tai chi is always to go to classes it can be helpful to have guides to remind you when you are at home. There are plenty of videos on YouTube - above is Master Faye Li Yip doing the 24 step form. You can also get books and dvds for more detailed information.

Professor Li is the authority on the 24 step form and I recommend his book "Tàijíquán" which gives comprehensive instructions with pictures for the 24 step form as well as the 81 and 42 step forms, and the 42 and 32 step sword forms. It comes with a dvd showing demonstrations of these forms.

He has also produced teaching videos on the 24 step and 88 step forms amongst others. You can buy both book and dvds from the Tai Chi Link website. They are also sometimes available on Amazon.

Leigh Carnival 2018

We were on stage at the Leigh Carnival today doing some tai chi and qigong. Well done to everyone who took part - you were amazing!

You can see more pictures here or on the A Higher Porpoise Facebook page.

Back from training

Just got back from another excellent qigong instructor course at the BHQA. The training was as ever top standard. We all worked hard and in spite of floods had lots of fun too.

Joanne in the news

It's nice to see Joanne making the news and spreading the word about the wonderful health benefits of tai chi. You can read the article here.

In other news, I will be putting in an order for class polo shirts next week, so let me know by next Wednesday if you want one. You can get them in navy blue or light blue.

There will be no classes on Bank Holiday Monday so enjoy the sunshine and maybe do some outdoor tai chi instead.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

This Saturday is World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. There will be events all around the country and all around the world. Come and join me at our event in Liverpool at St John's Community Centre, Steble Street, Liverpool L8 6QH.

The event is free but we are raising money for Sport Relief. You can sponsor someone, make a donation on the day or donate via our Sport Relief Giving page here.

The programme is as follows. There will be a prompt 10am start.

10am start warm ups and qigong
10.30-11.30 Taiji Qigong Stick and Tai Chi walk and 24 step
11.45 - 12.45 Classic Eight Treasures Qigong and Body Conditioning
1 - 2 Seated Daoyin 12 Qigong and Taiji Sword/sabre
2.15 - 2.45 Finish with gentle qigong to warm down and conclude the day.

Looking for...

Does anyone have a dropside van they could lend us? I would love to bring tai chi and qigong to the Leigh Carnival parade but don't have the budget to hire one.

Upcoming events

April is always a good time for tai chi events and this year is no exception.

I was going to let you know about the Deyin Taijiquan Institute Spring Wellbeing Bootcamp in Telford on 21 April, but unfortunately it is already booked up. It's always worth booking early for these workshops.

You don't need to book for our World Tai Chi and Qigong Day event on 28 April though - you can just turn up. Our event is taking place again this year at St John's Centre, Steble Street, Liverpool L8 6QH and everyone is invited to attend from beginners to masters! There will be eight instructors (maybe more) delivering one hour sessions throughout the day on various aspects of tai Chi and qigong. A fabulous opportunity and it's FREE! This year we are going to combine the event with Sports Relief and hold a taichiqigongathon.

There are different ways you can get involved:
1. Be sponsored for as many hours as you wish to do (5 hours in total). You can download a sponsorship form here.
2. Make a donation - collection tins available on the day.
3. Donate online at https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/taichiqigongathon.

Free 20 week tai chi course in Leigh South

Thanks to funding from The Deal for Communities, North West and North Wales Tai Chi will be putting on a free 20 week tai chi and qigong course on Tuesday mornings 10am-11.30am, starting 13 March at the Leigh South (TocH) Community Centre.

The course is open to residents of Wigan Borough. It will be suitable for all levels of ability and will be mixed standing and seated.

Places are limited. If you would like to put your name down for it, then email jane@ahigherporpoise.com.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (新年快乐). It's now the Year of the Earth Dog. I will be celebrating in Telford with the Deyin Taijiquan Institute. Wherever you are, have a good one.

What I did this weekend

We started Chinese New Year early on Saturday, taking part in the celebrations at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich with the Suffolk Chinese Family Welfare Association. It was lovely to be part of this. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the show and the theatre people were friendly and welcoming. I'm only sorry I missed the unicycle act because I was getting ready for our performance.

Upcoming tai chi events and classes

With the mince pies all gone and normal classes starting up again from tomorrow, now seems like a good  time to mention a few upcoming events and other classes.

The first is a chance to practise part 5 of the taiji kungfu fan form with Angela Howarth in Aigburth, Liverpool on Saturday 13 January.

In February, fellow Deyin instructor Joanne Barton will be starting a couple of new classes for beginners in Horwich and Blackrod. The Horwich one is on Wednesdays at 7pm and starts 7 February. The Blackrod one is on Thursdays at 7pm and starts 8 February. Both have an optional sword class afterwards. Contact Joanne for details.

Now is a good time to think about booking onto the next Deyin Taijiquan Institute Bootcamp to celebrate Chinese New Year on Saturday 17 February, as these can get booked up quickly. Although it is in Telford rather than the Northwest it is a great opportunity to work (or play) with a few different Deyin instructors. It is free to Deyin members and only £20 otherwise so is amazing value. There is also a banquet and talent show in the evening.

And back in the Northwest, I have a new daytime course in Leigh planned for Thursday mornings starting in March - I will let you know the details closer to the time.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Hope you have had a lovely Christmas and 2018 brings you health, wealth and happiness.

Classes start again next week, from Monday 8 January.