Yang style 8 step video

Especially for Kay, here is a repost of my colleague Angela Howarth doing the 8 step form in the Festival Gardens in Liverpool.

Navel gazing and chirping birdies

Just spent a wonderful weekend in Telford doing the 88 step form with the Deyin Taijiquan Institute. As always I've come away feeling I've learned a lot about tai chi and there is still always a lot more to learn.

One thing I came away with was a reminder about how central the waist is. As Master Tary Yip said, "Nothing moves until you see the waist." Of course this doesn't mean bending your head down to stare at your belly button. It's in the mind that you see the waist. The waist moves and everything else follows. We've talked about this a lot in relation to White Crane Spreads Its Wings, but it is true in every move.

I also learned that the bird in lǎnquèwěi, grasping the bird's tail, is què (pronounced "chir"), which I think is a lovely bit of onomatopoeia.

Pictures from Monday class and updates on other classes

Here are the pictures from Monday's class - looking good everyone!

We have decided to wind down the Tuesday morning seated class for the Christmas season. This will hopefully start up again in January so I look forward to seeing you all again then.

I will be putting on another taster class for Age UK Wigan Borough Bright Days. This will be a 3 week course at Hallgate House in Wigan on Monday mornings starting next Monday 30 November at 10.30am. This is a normal standing class rather than a seated one.

As before the class is free (I believe) but you do have to be age 55+ and you need to register in advance. To do so contact Debra Shufflebottom on 01942 615883 or Debra.Shufflebottom@ageukwiganborough.org.uk.

For tomorrow's Wednesday classes don't forget to bring payment for the next block of four weeks to be sure of having a place as class size is limited. That takes us right up to Wednesday 23 December and Christmas.

 I will be taking a week's break from all classes at Christmas and will start again Monday 4 January.

That's all for now. As I said in class yesterday, if anyone wants anything from Tai Chi Link without having to pay postage, let me know and I will get it over the weekend.

News about Wednesday classes

After the success of the taster sessions in September both morning and evening classes in the Tesco Leigh Extra Community Space are doing well. So well, in fact, that I am going to have to limit numbers. It will no longer be possible to join the class as a new member by just turning up on the day. There are still places available in the evening so if you would like to take part, then get in touch with me. And if you would like to join the morning class, let me know and I will put you on a waiting list.

From next Wednesday instead of paying per session, you will book a block of four sessions - £14 for four sessions. This will help me to keep the overall numbers from exceeding capacity.

Canoeing

Ok, so this is not really about tai chi, except in that tai chi is in everything.

In April I will be taking part in the Great Glen Canoe Trail to raise money for Sound Sense a charity that provides music education and entertainment to those in need. Please give generously. :)

Free tai chi taster sessions

On Wednesday 30 September I will be giving two free tai chi taster sessions in the Community Space in Tesco Extra Leigh, one at 10-11am and one at 7-8pm. Come along and try it out!

I said I would repost some videos on the forms we are doing, so here they are. Above is Wu Amin doing the 16 step Yang tai chi sword form. Here is Angela Howarth doing the 8 step Yang tai chi form. And below is Master Tary Yip doing the 24 step Yang tai chi form. Enjoy!