Tai chi in the parks

 We have been so lucky with the weather this week. It was wonderful being able to do tai chi in the park again and it was so nice to be able to see people in person.

Tai chi in the park

 

From next Monday, organised outdoor sports can start up again. And you know what  that means. Tai chi in the park! Times and places are listed here. 

Autumn class timetable

There are a number of changes to classes starting from September. The new class timetable is listed here. Although we are moving towards a new normal, there is still a mixture of indoor, outdoor and online classes.

Now that I can plan classes with a bit more certainty, though, monthly discounts are back!😀 This is for all face-to-face classes except for the Guild Hall class which will continue in the park for now. As classes can be cancelled at short notice because of the weather a monthly discount wouldn't work. I hope to hear soon about when we can move back into the Guild Hall and will then be able to plan accordingly.

The all-classes monthly pass is also back at £30/month. This is well worth it if you plan to attend more than one class a week and includes online classes as well as face-to-face ones.

The price of single online classes is going up from £3 to £4 but there will now be a discount rate for these as well. There will be two online courses.

On Monday evenings at 7pm, there will be an 8 week introduction to Yang style 8 step form, running from 7 September to 26 October.

And on Thursday mornings at 10am, there will be a 10 week course on Yi Jin Jing Health Qigong, running from 3 September to 5 November.

You can book the whole courses at the discounted rates of £24 for the Monday evening tai chi and £30 for the Thursday morning qigong. You can also continue to book classes one at a time as you attend, but the price is now £4/session.

Feedback on Deal For Communities course

Thanks to funding from Wigan Council's Deal for Communities Investment Fund, from March to July last year North West and North Wales Tai Chi was able to put on a free tai chi/qigong course at Leigh South Community Centre for local residents. The class is still running on a private basis. Maureen and Alan talk about what they got from the course.

Qigong for beginners - upcoming courses

Just like tai chi, qigong is a great exercise for health and relaxation. It is suitable for all levels of health and ability and can be adapted to the individual.

Coming up at the beginning of April are two 10 week courses on Yi Jin Jing muscle and tendon strengthening exercises, one daytime, one evening.

The courses are designed for beginners and no previous knowledge is required. Just like tai chi, though, more advanced students can benefit from going over the basics of each move.

Both courses are great value at £50 for the 10 week course. And if you book by 1 March you get £10 off!

The daytime class is on Wednesdays, 10am-11am, at Leigh South (TocH) Community Centre, 32 Hope Carr Road, Leigh WN7 3ET, and runs from Wednesday 3 April to Wednesday 5 June.

The evening class is on Thursdays, 6pm-7pm. at Hurst Dance Studios, 51 Market St, Hindley, Wigan WN2 3AE, and runs from Thursday 4 April to 6 June.

Click below to get your early booking discount now or email for more information.

For the Wednesday morning classes in Leigh:

And for the Thursday evening classes on Hindley:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

New classes

I have been very busy since getting back from my holiday (I will post a link to pictures soon - I promise!).

I will be starting not one but two new classes in Leigh very soon. They are both open to the public although for the Age UK one you need to be aged 55+ and register in advance.

The first class is open to everyone. It will be on Wednesday evenings 7pm to 8pm at the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space, Tesco Leigh Extra, Leigh WN7 4BA. There will be a FREE taster class on Wednesday 1 July, so if you are wondering whether tai chi is for you, come along and find out. Classes proper will start on Wednesday 8 July and will be £3.50 each.

The second class is hosted by Wigan Borough Age UK Bright Days and will be on Tuesday mornings, 10.30am to 11.30am at Brookdale Court in Leigh. It is open to everyone aged 55+ and is FREE but you do need to register in advance. For details and to register contact Debra Shufflebottom on 01942 615883 or Debra.Shufflebottom@ageukwiganborough.org.uk.

Details of all classes are here.

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.