Posted on 12 December 2018 12:39
Got to thinking the other day - The great thing about Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Yoga for that matter is once you have a few basic moves you can practice daily at home and I was talking about this with a friend who also works out at the gym quite a lot. I said that personally I just don't see the point - if I run, cycle or row for twenty minutes I sure as hell want to be somewhere, not just sitting in the same place, smelling like a polecat, surrounded by leotards and Lycra and ears ringing from the 'go for it' music and eyes tired of tv screens. Why not just go for a run or cycle outdoors - especially in the area we live where there are lots of good woodland walks and cycle rides - we even have places where you can take out your canoe - and after this you have lungs full of fresh air - It makes sense to me. I have never been one for gyms - I have tried it and didn't like it (for the above reasons) - and this blog is obviously my own, personal point of view - there are lots of people out there who really enjoy their gym work - i'm just not one of 'em i'm afraid!!!.
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Posted on 22 May 2018 12:08
A great philosopher once said 'If you don't like life change it' - or something close to that and that is exactly what I did on my thirtieth birthday. I was working in the city at the time in a job that I absolutely hated - I liked nothing about it at all - the work - the people - nothing. I was working in the commodity market and all everyone seemed to worry about was their next bonus and new car - I was never into this way of thinking. I remember being on the tube on the way to work with my nose stuck under some Neanderthals armpit thinking 'Why the hell am I putting myself through this!' - there was a hold up on the train and I ended up arriving for work late to which the boss said 'Where the hell have you been (or words to that effect) - I turned around and started to walk out of the door and he asked where I was going to which I said 'home'. He put on his best 'I have a Rolls Royce look and said, 'Well, if you go don't bother coming back' to which I replied 'I don't remember saying I was coming back' and that was it - the last day I ever worked for anyone. There followed twenty years of London Cab Driving and also finding my spiritual path and even though things are far from how I thought things would end up it is a decision I will never regret so, it you don't like life - change it!!!!
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Posted on 16 May 2018 10:23
I get some strange looks sometimes when I say that 'Water' is the strongest of the five elements especially as it relates to the Yin element. Many feel that it should be Fire being the strongest Yang element - however, Lao Tzu sums it up quite well in the Tao The Ching saying - Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water, but, for attacking the hard and strong there is nothing like it, for nothing can take its place - That the weak overcomes the strong, and the soft overcomes the hard. This is something known by all but practised by none!!! How true.
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Posted on 09 May 2018 09:32
It is truly amazing at how a session of Chi Kung can make you feel. I was outside practising under an amazing oak that resides in our garden and really feeling the energy flowing. As you know Chi Kung and Tai Chi place great emphasis on coordination of breath and movement and there I was going through a sequence when I could actually feel the rhythm of nature!!! It was an amazing experience and although I always feel connected when practicing this felt totally different - an amazing feeling of 'being in the web'!!! It is nice to know that after years of practice in both Tai Chi and Chi Kung that something new can show itself or enhance the feelings that you already have. With this in mind I have decided that on my June workshop[ I will take everyone out to the lovely wood that adjoins my studio and let everyone practice outside and see if they can get that same wonderful feeling. The workshop will be on Saturday, June 14th 1030-1.30.
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Posted on 11 March 2018 09:42
Yesterday. during our really constructive workshop we touched upon the Three Treasures (Jing, Chi and Shen) which is a complete workshop in itself - maybe next one!!! However, meantime I found this little piece that I put out quite a while ago and it tries to explain what they are - a bit of a ramble I'm afraid but here it is.
The three treasures are – Jing, Chi and Shen
Jing or essence is most closely related to our physical bodies and stored in the kidneys (also according to Taoist philosophy it is stored in the lower Dan Tien)
Chi can be said to be our life force and controls our movements and is closely related to the liver and spleen organ systems. Once again according to Taoist philosophy chi is said to be stored in the middle Dan Tien.
Shen (Spirit) – is the essence that shines through when Jing and Chi are strong – the Shen is related to the heart and Taoist philosophy say it is stored in the higher Dan Tien.
A Story on the Three Treasures.
Just a bit of useless information here!!! I once read that you could equate the three treasures to a candle – Jing would be the basic essence of the candle – that being the wax and the wick. Chi would be the actual flame of the candle whereas Shen would be the radiance around the flame – the better the basics of the candle then the flame and the radiance around it will flourish!!!!
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Posted on 17 January 2018 09:58
In a first burst of enthusiasm, beginners often rush out and buy books on Tai Chi or Chi Kung without really knowing which ones would be suitable for them. For instance, it is no good buying a book on Chen style Tai Chi if you are doing Yang - in fact, there isn't much point buying a book on Yang form unless it is the one you are doing - are you practising a long or short form - which line of the Yang family are you following because although the principles and concepts remai...n the same the forms are sometimes different - the same goes for Chi Kung. So with that in mind, if you are training with me here is some recommended reading to begin with. First of all Master John Dings '15 Minute Tai Chi' - this is an excellent book covering exercises, the short form and lots of other information on Principles and Concepts. I still consider Master Ding as my teacher although I haven't seen him for a while but he taught me so much and it is also where I trained as an instructor. Second recommended read is Ged Sumner 'You Are How You Move' - Ged co-founded the College of Elemental Chi Kung in London and made this book very readable and straightforward. It covers the basics of Elemental Chi Kung. I also become an instructor for Elemental Chi Kung and found that it went hand in hand with my Tai Chi practice and devised my classes around the two disciplines. Remember that it isn't possible to learn Tai Chi or Chi Kung from a book - you need a teacher (doesn't have to be me!) to show you the way and explain some of the more intricate details of the arts. In a first burst of enthusiasm, beginners often rush out and buy books on Tai Chi or Chi Kung without really knowing which ones would be suitable for them. For instance, it is no good buying a book on Chen style Tai Chi if you are doing Yang - in fact, there isn't much point buying a book on Yang form unless it is the one you are doing - are you practising a long or short form - which line of the Yang family are you following because although the principles and concepts remain the same the forms are sometimes different - the same goes for Chi Kung. So with that in mind, if you are training with me here is some recommended reading to begin with. First of all Master John Dings '15 Minute Tai Chi' - this is an excellent book covering exercises, the short form and lots of other information on Principles and Concepts. I still consider Master Ding as my teacher although I haven't seen him for a while but he taught me so much and it is also where I trained as an instructor. Second recommended read is Ged Sumner 'You Are How You Move' - Ged co-founded the College of Elemental Chi Kung in London and made this book very readable and straightforward. It covers the basics of Elemental Chi Kung. I also become an instructor for Elemental Chi Kung and found that it went hand in hand with my Tai Chi practice and devised my classes around the two disciplines. Remember that it isn't possible to learn Tai Chi or Chi Kung from a book - you need a teacher (doesn't have to be me!) to show you the way and explain some of the more intricate details of the arts.
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Posted on 18 November 2017 15:08
Writers Block, Empty Canvas!
We all suffer from it now and
then, don’t we? We have a deadline to meet or stuck on the next idea for a
project, writing, music or art. Chi Kung can definitely help open up those
creative channels in a most satisfying and harmonious way. Some of you may know
that in my other life (other than running the studio) I also love my music and
play with Positively Dylan (catch us at the Greyhound, Wivenhoe Saturday 2
December) while also occasionally writing the odd ditty or article. I have found that my
best ideas come during or after a session of Chi Kung when my mind and body are
relaxed to such an extent that I am completely open to ideas. So I am looking
to share these techniques with you by teaching a workshop in the New Year –
hopefully, it will enhance your creativity while also giving you some really
useful relaxation/breathing exercises.
If this is something you would be
interested in let me know either by dropping a message on facebook or
contacting me via email.
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Posted on 14 November 2017 12:29
No matter how positive you try to be, sometimes you get really down and can't see things improving - this is when you tend to just give up on whatever it is that seems to be going wrong even though it is something that you really want or enjoy. I must admit that this year hasn't been particularly great for me - started off with health problems (now all sorted out) and then struggled to find the enthusiasm to teach Tai Chi or Chi Kung or even play music - things that are very close to my heart. So I pick up a book called 'The Essence of Tao' and just opened a random page and this is what came up. '' When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn''. Harriet Beecher Stowe. This seems so appropriate for me at the present time that I felt the need to share - thanks for reading.
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Posted on 10 November 2017 08:28
Here is an article (with some photo's) that will be published hopefully in the Tendring Business Letter in January - Thought I would give you a preview. The Balanced Path at The Tai Chi Studio
The Tai Chi Studio began life in Wivenhoe in the autumn of 2002 after I moved to North Essex from London where I had worked for the best part of 25 years as a London Taxi Driver (now that’s stress!!!). I started my Chi Kung/Tai Chi training in 1988 and became an instructor at the John Ding International Academy of Tai Chi Chuan in 2000 and also studied Chi Kung at the 5 Element College of Chi Kung in London where I also became an instructor. In June 2014, after several moves to larger (not necessarily better) premises the studio returned to its ‘Bijou’ routes to a purpose built studio at the Hall Farm and Business Centre, Little Bentley. I knew instantly when I came across this shell of a building (an old stable block) that although there was ivy growing through the walls and ceiling and the floor was just a pile of rubble the place had all the potential for the kind of premises I was looking for. Unfortunately, even with all good intentions I had nowhere near the funds to afford the transformation – Enter Hugh Cobbold, the owner of Hall Farm and Business Centre. He asked for what purpose I would be using the premises and agreed to actually do the work out of his own pocket – to say I was ‘gobsmacked’ would be an understatement – yet, after six months I was moving from my old studio in Great Bentley into a lovely, airy space which just oozed the kind of energy that such a venture needs. The studio is very much a one man show – it is unique in the level of tuition that it offers in Tai Chi and 5 Element Chi Kung. Classes are small (ten at the most) and informal and I love seeing the progress made by my clients who come to me for many different reasons – the majority have health problems ranging from bad posture, respiratory difficulties, high/low blood pressure, sleeping and digestion troubles etc. while others attend purely for the ‘feel good factor’ that can be achieved through meditation and gentle (but not easy) exercise. Some like to explore the internal and external energy side of the work, realising that the exercises take us on a fascinating journey that opens up so many different avenues in our lives (a story for another time). As well as normal classes I also offer private tuition (one to one or groups) – regular workshops and corporate seminars. I believe that Chi Kung is especially beneficial to businesses with a high level of stress involved and workshops can be arranged at the studio or on office premises. The workshops help bring harmony into the workplace without losing the drive that is obviously needed to succeed; in fact, many people have found their energy levels have increased to such an extent that their work rate has improved greatly – this is especially the case for people in jobs that have strict deadlines (journalist/authors/artist etc). In the past I have worked with sixth form pupils at the Colne Community School – I have also ran 5/10 week courses for teachers in primary/secondary schools and the Essex Probation Service along with teaching classes for a period at the University of Essex.
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Posted on 01 November 2017 10:04
The first thing we need to do at the beginning of a session
is bring our energy down (grounding) because we have usually come from a hard days
work (not me of course!!!) or been stressed out in one way or the other. We do
this by standing in Wu Ji, which literally means emptiness, bringing our energy
out of our heads and focusing more on our centre.
Visualisation plays a big part in this and I have noticed
that sometimes I have to change the way I describe how to attain Wu Ji. Usually
I go through a list – Feet shoulder width and parallel – Legs straight, not
locked – Tuck the tailbone slightly – Slightly sink the chest – Relax the
shoulders and let the head sit comfortably with the chin slightly pulled back
and then imagine your energy coming down from your head – releasing the
thoughts that come along and interrupt the process and feel your energy just
accumulating in your lower Dan Tien with the feet rooted through Kidney 1 spot.
Of course, all this makes perfect sense to me because I have
performed Wu Ji for many years and can drop into the posture and state easily,
but for some this concept is hard to imagine so I ask that you make your own
visualisation.
I suggest newcomers to imagine themselves as an egg timer
with the sand slowly dropping from the top (head) to the bottom (lower Dan Tien
and feet) and this seems to work really well for everyone – I always joke that
it only last for three minutes though (the old gags are still the best) – I then
encourage people to make their own visualisation – you don’t have to
necessarily share what it is but people do come up with some wonderful ways to
bring their energy down – and if it works then that’s great.
Also ‘Tucking the tailbone’ sometimes gives a little trouble
because people tend to thrust their pelvis forward causing them to lean back
and be as far away from the Wu Ji posture that it is possible to get, so I
advise that you just let it drop so that it points to the ground – this is
quite easily done if you have your knees relaxed.
Pulling the chin back also has the opposite effect sometimes
because the student tends to lift the chin up thus forcing the head back (if
you combine this with the thrusting forward of the hips you get some very
strange postures!!!) – instead just gently pull the chin towards the chest and
feel the top of the head lift as if being suspended from above.
I hope this may help you in your Wu Ji. I advise standing in
the posture for at least five minutes once you feel ‘rooted’ and just ‘Wallow’
in the stillness!!!
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