Awareness in Taiji Qigong The fundamental concepts when training Tai Chi and Qigong are posture, awareness and breath. Awareness is an important aspect of training to explore, as you need to be present in your movements to be able to move well. Body sensitivity and sensory awareness are expressions of mindfulness, as you maintain a…
Managing Expectations in Tai Chi Handy Tips for Beginners As a beginner Tai Chi student there are some key things to know before you start training, that will make the first steps into your Tai Chi journey much smoother. When you start a new exercise programme it is easy to bump into barriers that will…
Zhan Zhuang Video Course A Free Programme for Beginner Students Standing like a tree – Standing Pole Zhan Zhuang is a stillness meditation which is a unique and powerful method to awaken the body in stillness. It is an ancient internal Taoist practice to cultivate mind and body. Learn to re-wire your habitual posture, integrate…
Online Tai Chi Testimonial Learning Chen Tai Chi via Zoom Dated January 2022 This online Tai Chi testimonial is written by one of my Chen Tai Chi students, who studies privately with me via Zoom. He came to my classes during lockdown after searching for a Chen style teacher that would teach online. “Nicola is…
Deception Training Body Language and the Mind Body Connection This article looks at deception training and the relationship between how you hold yourself, the stress and relaxation state, and how Tai Chi and Qigong movements can help. The Stress Response What does the fear, stress, anxiety, scared, afraid, discomfort or nervous response look like in…
Tai Chi Does Not Heal The ‘ask the teacher’ question this month is from an email I received which said that Tai Chi: “healed my childhood knee problems and bad tendonitis in my arm, neither to return again, despite not continuing Tai Chi” “Can it repair and strengthen ligaments that were injured or are weak…
Fang Song in Tai Chi One of the most important Tai Chi principles is fang song = applied relaxation. To use the least amount of muscular contraction to perform a movement. Which means to release inappropriate muscle contraction, to loosen the joints and to reduce physical tension. I describe it to my students as the…
Tai Chi Hurt My Knees There are many barriers to starting something new, whether a hobby, new job or leisure activity. We are our worst enemy sometimes and our minds will throw up all sorts of reasons why not to do something. When we start something new, our minds will also try and dissuade us…
Spring Qi for the Liver Spring is a time of re-birth and new growth. A time for outward expression, like the first signs of plant life that burst out of the earth. A time for new beginnings and waking up. Spring is governed by the wood element and the liver organ in Traditional Chinese Medicine…
Tai Chi for Spine Health The spine is key to health. One of my teachers once said that Tai Chi and Qigong all focus on spinal health. We use the phrase ‘structural integrity’ when talking about the Tai Chi and Qigong posture. This means the posture is aligned correctly, to hold your weight appropriately, to…
Ask the Teacher I’ve recently received a number of similar questions into my email inbox which I’ll be answering in next month’s newsletter. I thought this would make a great opportunity for you lovely folk to get involved. If you have any pressing questions about your Tai Chi training, or need some advice about your Qigong…
Online Tai Chi Review A student shares their testimonial of learning Chen Tai Chi online via Zoom with instructor Nicola of Earth Balance Tai Chi. Dated July 2019 “Tai Chi and Qigong are wonderful teachings. They are truly accessible to all. No matter age, physically ability or fitness, you can improve your health. You can…
Tai Chi for Over Thinkers For people that tend to over-think, the slow moving practices of Tai Chi and Qigong can be a great way to calm the mind, restore grounding and connection to our physical bodies. The Buddhists practice ‘nowness’, is what we call ‘mindfulness’ today, a single point of focus. Our Tai Chi…
Chronic Pain Course ReMap Course Summary – March to June 2019 Wednesday 12 June 2019 saw the completion of the 12 week ReMap course, a movement and stillness class for those living with chronic pain. Over the duration I introduced the students to ‘Hibernating Bear Tai Chi’, covering a variety of Qigong, Chen Tai Chi and…
ReMap Pain Management Movement and Stillness for Health and Wellbeing March – June 2019 The Independent Arts charity launched a new project entitled ‘ReMap’ on 20th March in conjunction with the chronic Pain clinic to see how Tai Chi and Qigong aided life with chronic pain. This project is designed to help people manage their…