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.