Nourish Through Breath Part 5 Qigong Breathing for Health The fifth part in this breath work programme looks at developing your breath work by combining whole body movement. The heavenly breath is a foundation Qigong practice that is co-ordinated with diaphragmatic breathing. You can also learn to train your breath to become slower over time,…
Zhan Zhuang Video Course A free programme for beginner students. Zhan Zhuang / Standing like a Tree / Standing Pole 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,…
Winter Solstice Livestream Online Taoist Meditation Workshop 2022 Wednesday 21 December at 6pm UK time zone Join our virtual winter solstice gathering for a nourishing dose of seated breath work, relaxation and Taoist meditation. In the Chinese calendar this is the time of absolute yin, known as Dong Zhi, with the shortest day and the…
The Art of Pacing What does pacing mean and how can it benefit you as a life philosophy? Pacing is generally the opposite of how we have been conditioned and brought up. We live in an ever increasing fast paced and demanding world. It’s no wonder stress is one of the most silent and untreated…
I found this poet on social media, and the poem had such an impact on me that I wanted to share John’s words with you. The relationship between his poem and our Tai Chi and Qigong training is quite profound, not much renders me speechless these days, and this poem did. I hope you enjoy…
Summer Qi for the Heart Summer is an expansive time of year that is governed by the fire element and the heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Here are my suggestions for strengthening your heart in the summer months. This article will explore summer Qi for the heart. Yin Yan Theory (Heart and Kidneys) The…
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…
Taoist Teaching and Mid Life Assistance www.personaltao.com Taoism as a practice helps people live balanced and graceful lives. In China there is a saying: “You retire as a Taoist.” This is a reflection of the fact that Taoism as a teaching is deeply geared to help people come into their life. In the first third…
Tai Chi Trigrams How Taoist philosophy & the I Ching relate to Tai Chi Chuan practice. In Taoist philosophy, the 8 Trigrams are symbols of change found within the Book of Changes, known as the I Ching. Each trigram represents a unique set of characteristics; tai chi application, qi gong movement, natural identity, cardinal directions,…
Microcosmic Orbit Meditation This article explores the modernised new-age version of the microcosmic orbit. This is something I no longer teach as I explore the traditional practice with my teacher Dr Michael Smith over the coming years.  I encourage you to take care with this practice as it does not have roots in traditional Taoism and can…
Meditation of the Inner Smile PART TWO Taoist Wisdom for Wellbeing. The inner smile is a meditation practice using the five transformational energies: wood, fire, earth, water and metal, known as the five elements from the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This second part of the blog series looks at the mid line and back…
Meditation of the Inner Smile The meditation of the inner smile is a preparatory meditation that cleanses the organs and internal body. Using the human smile as a connection to inner healing for health, happiness and longevity. The smile is the gateway to relaxation. By focusing our smiling energy into the physical and emotional body…