News

Chris’s weekly community classes will finish on Friday 13 December for the Xmas and New Year Break and restart:-
• Thursday 9 January at St Pancras Association
• Friday 10 January at the Notting Hill venue, The Unitarian Church
• Tuesday 14 January at St Paul’s Church Hall

Thanks for the support and wishing everyone a good festive season.

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.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67208745

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 15^th 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. 

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.