Deyin Training Camp 2013

I have had yet another great weekend at the Deyin training camp. A huge thanks to Faye, Tary and Simon for their expert tuition. As usual there was a choice for each day and I picked Taiji stick qigong but others got to do the 24 step routine or the Taiji 24 spear on Saturday. On offer today was 42 step combined routine or Sun style sword. I did the 42 step with Faye and although a lot to get through in one session we did achieve it and I have some valuable pointers to work on. The Taiji stick Qigong was great and felt much better than the first workshop I went to and I have the DVD and book now so there should be no stopping me now! The other great thing about the weekend is that I get to meet up with all my Taiji friends that I have met over previous years and seminars. The atmosphere is fantastic and we are all just like one big family. Dates are in the diary for next year (28th and 29th June) so if you want quality Taiji instruction this is a great place to go.

Festival Gardens 1st Anniversary

Next Sunday, 23rd June the Festival Gardens will be celebrating their first birthday. Angela's Tai Chi School held demonstrations in the Chinese Garden at the opening and are pleased to announce that they will be there again this year as part of the Big Lunch that the gardens have organised. As part of this I will be there taking bookings for anyone who wishes to take part in the newly agreed Tai Chi weekly classes that will be starting from July 2nd (see website for further details). I am thrilled with this news. If you need an excuse to come and visit the gardens next weekend just take a look at some of the photos I have taken there over the last twelve months.

Port Sunlight Day Out June 2013

Yesterday we had our annual day out. Tai Chi was left at home and we took trains, buses and cars to gather at Port Sunlight on The Wirral. We enjoyed a guided tour by one of my students Harriet Gilmour who is a qualified blue badge tour guide. The morning was a walkabout tour from one end of the village to the other taking in sights such as the factory, Bridge Cottage, The Diamond with its amazing sun dial. Unfortunately the sun didn't shine so we weren't able to test it out. Harriet reassured us that it does work! After lunch we enjoyed a tour of the Lady Lever Art Gallery. A magnificent day. Below are a very small selection of photos from the day.

Another Successful Qigong Workshop

Professor Yang Bai Long oversees Professor Zhuang Yong Chang hanging up the banner before the start of the Yi Jin Jing Workshop held on 24th April at The Florrie. In total 18 people attended the workshop from as far away as Wrexham. The evening was led by Professor Zhuang who with his humour and excellent knowledge took us all through a thorough workout of this health qigong routine. Professor Yang was on hand to correct postures and Master Tary Yip (Deyin Taijiquan Institute) made sure he got plenty of photographic evidence! I took some shots myself and here are a small selection.

Less than a week to World Tai Chi Day

I managed to talk my family into coming down to the Festival Gardens on Friday for a photo shoot. Michael from the Land Trust had arranged to get some photos to send to the press ahead of the free event on the 27th April. Here are a few of the shots.

Assessment day has arrived

How quick have these few days gone? Now the day of reckoning is upon us. We will each do a ten minute teaching slot as part of the assessment but that is so hard to stick to. I have tried a couple of times already this morning to keep within that time frame. Failed on both occasions although the second attempt was better. I'm not going to stress about it. I've been in this situation before with Faye and Tary so at least I know what to expect. Everyone is very supportive and we will help each other through. We don't find out today whether we have passed as the Chinese professors have to agree the decisions. They would have assessed us if they were here but instead we will be videoed and they will watch that when they arrive later in the month. We will however get feedback which is always useful. Also looking forward to being taught by my peers as there is always some useful tips to take on board for my own teaching. Wishing everyone good luck for today.

Day three of course

I think we all had a great day yesterday. We got through another six moves, so still three to cover today. The explanations and in depth knowledge of Faye is fantastic and is certainly taking my practice to a different level. Last night we all went out for a Chinese buffet. Not sure I need to eat for another week but I'll give it a go! I wrote up my lesson plan this morning and will check with my little group what moves they are covering for their assessment when I get there later this morning. I think there will be some nerves around today as the big day looms. There is something about that word "assessment" that sends shivers down otherwise calm and rational people! It is still a better word than "test" though. Thank you to Anne and Jane who are doing my classes today and I'm looking forward to getting back to Liverpool tomorrow evening to see my family.