Relax, Release, Re-energise: Tai Chi for everyone
This year Chris is teaching two Foundation Chen Taijiquan classes for Master Liu Quanjun (Taiji Circle Lucky Dragon), on Sunday mornings 11:00–12:00 at the Islington Chinese Association in Hatchard Rd, Holloway N19 4NG, and Thursday evenings 18:30-19:30 at St Paul’s Church Hall, Camden, NW1 9XG. Booking through Classes link on the Taiji Circle website.
By Philippa Roxby, BBC Health reporter
Tai chi may slow Parkinson’s symptoms for years, study finds…
Tai chi may help slow down the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease for several years, a Chinese study suggests.
Those who practised the martial art twice a week had fewer complications and better quality of life than those who didn’t, the researchers say.
Parkinson’s is a progressive brain disease which leads to tremors and slow movement, and there is no cure.
Experts say the findings back up previous studies on the benefits of exercise for those with Parkinson’s.
The study, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, monitored the health of hundreds of Parkinson’s patients for up to five years.
One group of 147 people practised regular tai chi while another group of 187 did not.
The traditional Chinese exercise combines slow, gentle movements with deep breathing and relaxation.
The charity Parkinson’s UK describes tai chi as a low-intensity physical activity that can “help to lift your mood and help you live well”.
The researchers found that the disease progressed more slowly in the tai chi group on measurements of symptoms, movement and balance.
This group also saw fewer falls, less back pain and dizziness, with memory and concentration problems also lower than in the other group.
Zara and Mina invited me to say a few words about the benefits of Taiji and Qi Gong practice at the Kensington & Chelsea Forum AGM on Friday 15th September, to interest new members to join my Friday Notting Hill class.
Shifu Liu will be running an immersive 2-day workshop 9-10 April on Da Bei Qi Gong at the Islington Chinese Association and online. This is an ideal opportunity for beginners to gain a solid foundation in a rich Qi Gong discipline steeped in Buddhist tradition and with an emphasis on healing, longevity and compassion. It is also tailored to more experienced students who want to deepen their practice and get to grips with theory. Please book in advance
Shifu Liu is also delighted to host a free and open to all practice in Regents Park on Saturday 8th April(weather permitting). Please register via the website and gather in the round rose garden at 10am. We will leave the Rose Garden promptly at 10:15 to move out of the Inner Circle where we can find the space to practice and relax in the park. Bring your family and friends, food and drink, to learn and celebrate!
We had a great series of workshops, the first since 2019, with Master Chen and Shifu Liu would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for the seminars he recently led at Taiji Circle Lucky Dragon in London and thank you to all those who came along to the seminars. The son of Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing, Master Chen Ziqiang is a 20th generation direct descendant of the Chen Family Taijiquan, the Chief Coach of the prestigious Chenjiagou Taijiquan School and a renowned tai ji champion in China.
Saturday, 21 January ’23 1pm – 5pm GMT
Venue: St Paul’s Church, Camden Square, London, NW1 9XG
This is a great opportunity to work in person with Shifu Liu. Chen Foundation training is designed for all levels, focusing on Chen silk reeling exercises, form movements, and energy cultivation, with invaluable posture correction from Shifu Liu. Ideal if you are starting your taiji practice after a break or new to the practice.
With refreshment breaks.
Online booking and payment only:
TAIJI CIRCLE LUCKY DRAGON
E: support@taijicircle.com
www.taijicircle.com
Booking classes (if unable to book from the website)
Following the Saracens tai chi day I was asked to teach a session at the Finchley Memorial Hospital Community day the following Sunday. It was a privilege to be invited, and even though Dr Debbie Frost, chair of the Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group, was wearing and dress and heels, she also happily joined in the session.
On a September morning in 2016 my colleague Lai from Tai Ji Circle and I, leading from the stage, taught another mass tai chi session at the Saracens Rugby Club. The Mayor of Barnet joined in despite wearing his chain of office and we had a great time and good feedback. It was organised by Age UK Barnet and Saracens and afterwards we went back to the club house to relax and encourage people to come along to my Thursday class at the Meritage Centre in Hendon.
Chris and Lai meeting the Mayor and Mayoress of Barnet, David Longstaff and Gillian Griffiths.
One hundred people came and joined in a mass tai chi practice organised by Age UK and Saracen’s. I led the practice with help from Lai of Tai Ji Circle, it was a beautiful sunny morning and a lovely to practice with so many, sharing the relaxation and flow of body, breathe and mind.
As well as a world-renowned practitioner and teacher of the Chen style of Taijiquan, Grandmaster Chen is a famous calligrapher, and sells his work to fund restoration work in Chenjiagou, the ancestral home of Chen taijiquan in Henan Province, China. This year Chris bought ‘Tai Ji Quan’ or (Tai Chi Chuan in Cantonese), which translates as something like ‘Grand Ultimate Fist’. Underneath Master Chen writes that he made this calligraphy in the village of Chenjiagou in 2014. It seemed a special example of his calligraphy to keep as a momento of my discipleship ceremony held there. Chenjiagou is the village where Master Chen’s 9th generation ancestor Chen Wanting developed the family style of Chen Taijiquan, and he returns there each year from his worldwide travels to teach at the Chen Taijiquan school and initiate new disciples in the Chen family Temple. It is a wonderful place to visit as tai ji is practiced and taught everywhere you look, children as young as five, perform long complex routines with perfect poise and balance.
Chinese calligraphy is a beautiful and complex art form, and is considered like a form of ‘qi gong’ or ‘tai ji’ exercise, the mind is quietened, and the quality of the brush strokes express the energy, freedom, relaxation and vitality of Master Chen’s mastery as seen also in his tai ji. He will often choose words that express the heart of tai ji, such as ‘Jing Qi Shen’, Essence, Energy, Spirit, or ‘The Book and the Sword’, which represents culture and martial arts.
Master Chen on a visit to the Chinese Embassy in London, see the link below.
Chen Xiaowang creates Calligraphy at the Chinese Embassy in London in 2013