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.