Managing Expectations in Tai Chi 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 stop you doing something…
Attending Group Tai Chi Classes Blending to Green One of my teachers passed on this method to me in my earlier days of teaching group Tai Chi and Qigong classes. This message is so important when working in any group environment, to consider and become aware of how you hold yourself. One aspect of Tai…
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…
Building Resilience in 2021 Do not worry, this is not a blog post with a humble brag about how I wrote a novel during the 2020 restrictions or learned how to perfect the art of the soufflé. Nope, I’m the average Joe, and have been on a roller coaster. Like many other community teachers, the…
The Anti Guru Person Centred Teaching Style I describe myself as the anti-guru. My role as a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor is not to elevate myself onto a pedestal, and to ensure that you as a student don’t elevate me either. I’m the average person, living the same complex life, experiencing through the same…
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…
Challenges in Tai Chi Training As a student, you can expect many challenges to come up during your training in a group class and your practice at home. Try to hold a positive approach, seeing challenge as opportunity. Tai Chi and Qigong are life-long practices, there will be times you are enthusiastic and highly motivated…
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…
Recommending Wild Geese Martial Arts Introducing Dave Hedges from Wild Geese Martial Arts and WG-Fit in Dublin City Centre. Dave helped me through a time in my life when I was going through a health deconstruction and reconstruction. In my early 30’s, around 2008 unknown to me I was heading into the world of chronic…
What is your Goal? Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation Training Being your natural self Maybe it’s easiest to start with my goal, or rather my journey. I am striving to be myself, it is as simple as that. So my goal in my Tai Chi, Qigong and meditation training, practice and play is to travel…
Travel with Hope A Qigong student interview. Meet ‘John Doe’ and read his story of learning to live with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). How practicing the Classical Chinese movement and stillness arts can help the symptoms of PD. This interview is dated April 11, 2014 is an update to a previous interview on March 15, 2013. John…
Tai Chi for Depression This webpage shares student experiences of training Tai Chi and Qingong when living with depression. For more information about the many benefits of the Classical Chinese practices, read my article on how Tai Chi and Qigong can aid anxiety and depression. Written by Anon, Female Tai Chi and Qigong Student. “The…
Taiji Qigong Chronic Fatigue How the Classical Chinese Arts can aid the symptoms of CFS One of my students has written a personal account of her Qigong practice relating to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: “I had been diagnosed with CFS in 2009, following a bout of swine flu and a chest infection, which left me with…
Living Well With Chronic Fatigue As a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor living with pain and fatigue, I cannot now remember a day without either. It is a difficult road to walk and one I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It’s an invisible condition that is often not recognised, validated or understood by society, doctors, employers,…