Qi Gong for Women Livestream Online Group Classes via Zoom UK Join our virtual earth Qigong for women classes to explore healthy powerful movements for physical resilience and mental ease. This qigong routine is for all levels of students and is a great way to improve the efficiency of all body functions, from hormone to digestion…
Chen Tai Chi Livestream Online Group Classes via Zoom UK Join our Tai Chi and Qigong group livestream this autumn. Learn strengthening and relaxing movements from the comfort of your own home with our monthly subscription. These classes cover a variety of Chen Tai Chi movements with a dash of Qigong and loosening exercises. The…
Types of Meditation There are thousands of types of meditation and mindfulness practices, varying from stillness to movement. You can be seated, standing, lying down, walking, dancing or doing. When starting out with meditation, practice a very simple method like pausing or focusing on the breath, daily or every other day if possible for small…
Deception Training Body Language and the Mind Body Connection This article looks at deception training and the relationship between Tai Chi and Qigong movements and stillness meditation practice. The Stress Response What does the fear, stress, anxiety, scared, afraid, discomfort or nervous response look like in your posture and movement? Posture: Hands are hidden or…
Fang Song in Tai Chi The principle of dynamic relaxation and loosening. One of the most important Tai Chi principles is fang song which roughly means 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…
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…
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. The Heart in TCM The heart is a yin organ, paired with the small intestines, a…
Earth Qi for the Pancreas Stomach & Spleen The earth element in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) governs the stomach, pancreas and spleen organs. Earth as an element is located in the centre and is associated with stability and being grounded. This is mirrored in TCM as the stomach, pancreas and spleen are central to health. Stomach,…
The Hips in Tai Chi The importance of aligning the pelvis and hips in your Tai Chi practice, to improve the quality of your Tai Chi movements and your ability to absorb and generate martial power. In turn, this aids your postural health, how well your organs function and your ability to breathe deeply. Aligning…
Hibernating Bear Tai Chi “Build a Strong Foundation for Mind and Body Health” The phrase “Hibernating Bear” comes from instructor Nicola’s ethos to make authentic Tai Chi and Qigong available to all abilities of students, no matter age, physical ability or location. The online hibernating bear lessons follow the Taoist principles of kindness, modesty and…
Physical Symmetry Training Physical Health for Life I remember a training session a few years ago with Tina Chunna Zhang from Qigong for Women in NYC. She said that qigong practice is for ‘finding your weak spots’. To me, this means training the body in a way to create physical symmetry or harmony in the…
Secret Tai Chi Training A lot of Tai Chi and Qigong students practice secretly out in the wild. What is this secret training and how can you add it to your practice? It’s being outside of your training space or studio, it could be somewhere in public or somewhere non Tai Chi related, in everyday…
Joe Lok Workshop Review Phoenix Alchemy Qigong Master Joe Wai Man Lok visited Horsham on Thursday 11 and 18 June 2015 for his Phoenix Alchemy Qigong seminars with students of Earth Balance Tai Chi and the local Horsham community. Reviews from some of the students: “What a great workshop last night! Thank you so much…
Knee Alignment Tai Chi Improving Posture in your Tai Chi Practice In Tai Chi and Qigong practice, correct knee alignment is often neglected which can lead to pain, injury and long-term damage. As the largest and most complex joint in the body the knee is more likely to get damaged than other joints. The knee…
Ding in Tai Chi How to align your spine correctly in your Tai Chi practice. The principle Ding in Chen Tai Chi means maintaining a well aligned upright spine. It is sometimes described as: Imagine a piece of string is pulling you up from the crown on the top of your head. Elevate the crown…
