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 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.

Do you have true conviction that everything will turn out well - I wish that I did - sometimes I feel that everything is going well and other times I just feel that nothing is going right. I have to ask myself is this because of my lack of conviction that all will be well.

Here is a little story from my early years concerning my dad, a lovely man who always believed things would work out in the end.

I was 13 years old and my nan had just died - we were living in rented accommodation in Bow, East London and the house was rented under her name so the landlord decided that we had to go because he wanted to sell the place.

I can remember now as he came around with a smirk on his face telling my mum and dad that they had two weeks to find other accommodation unless of course they wanted to buy the house - a wry smile came across his lips knowing that with my dad working as a postman and my mum working as a telephonist had absolutely no chance of raising the money in time.

My mum was in tears and my dad said 'don't worry, something will turn up' I know that he believed this beyond doubt cos that was the way he was and sure enough that weekend he and his workmates won the football pools which when shared out between them left enough to buy the house!!! The look on the landlords face was classic when he found out and think that he would have liked nothing better than to turn my dad's offer down but to guys like that money is money. So that was it, we became home owners.

My dad was like that right to the end where his last words to me were 'your mother worries too much' before he passed peacefully away on to whatever adventure awaited him in the after life.

I really wish I had his faith!!!

Not really Tai Chi or Chi Kung related although I did manage to get a session in while away in Norfolk for a few days.

Wells-Next-The-Sea is on the North Norfolk coast and I stayed on a ship moored in the harbour called the Albatross - Now it isn't exactly the height of luxury but it is great for a break if you don't mind things being a little rough around the edges. Ton, the Captain and owner of the ship ensures that a good friendly crew make your stay enjoyable and live music is also provided (sometimes by me) on Friday/Saturday nights and Sunday afternoon - I always enjoy my stay there. You can check out more if you go to his website.

What never ceases to amaze me is that people tend to stay in one place and not go that little bit further to find the real treasure of the area. People seem to congregate around the main areas when a short walk along the North Norfolk Coastal Path towards Holkham you can enjoy the pleasure of a beautiful pine forest - I found a really secluded spot - found myself a nice bunch of trees - did some Chi Kung and shared my lunch with the wildlife. It then occurred to me that people tend to do the same thing when looking for classes - be it Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Pilates or Yoga. They will look and probably go to the nearest one to them which isn't necessarily the best (sometimes it might be but not very often!) when a little further down the road, in another village or town they may find the jewel in the crown - I rest my case!!!!

The benefits of chi kung has many layers - just like an onion, as you remove one layer a deeper layer presents itself.

At a basic level chi kung greatly improves your body awareness, breathing, posture and opens up the joints, relaxes muscles and relieves stress and aids digestion. These 'advantages' are great and felt very quickly and because of this people think that is it!

But, as you continue with your practice you find a much deeper effect happening - You become more aware of your internal energy and start to feel any blockages or problems with your body. I know several people who have realised they have something wrong and got medical attention quickly. Yes, medical attention is sometimes needed and when used along with chi kung practice a quick recovery is often possible. Obviously, this isn't always the case - sometimes your time is up!!!

Beyond this stage you find a more spiritual meaning behind your practice and you find yourself living much more in the flow of things (the Tao) - intuition often improves and you feel that harmony between mind, body and spirit often referred to as the 'three treasures' - Jing, Chi and Shen.

So don't just settle for the obvious benefits that come from practice - never stop searching and looking for the deeper mysteries that lie within Chi Kung.

Lots of people who take up Tai Chi and Chi Kung get obsessed with learning forms without understanding the basic principles and concepts behind the forms they have already learned. This is why sometimes a form looks like a dance with absolutely no intention or energy behind it.

I like to make sure that everyone at least knows the basic principles and concepts behind what they are learning and hopefully put these into the form they are practising. Sword form particularly needs this understanding or it just looks like someone waving a piece of wood (if you are using a practise sword) around.

Chi Kung is the same - you must have intention (Yi) in the movements so that your energy (Chi) can flow (no Yi no Chi!!!) - yes, you have to be relaxed but also the intention behind the movement has to be there (a bit of a paradox really).

I was once told by a teacher that when you see someone practising Tai Chi it should look like a spiritual person who shouldn't be messed with - I think this sums it up quite well!!!