Are you a Movement Collector? When studying and practising Tai Chi and Qigong, consider “are you a movement collector?” It can be easy to fall into the trap of becoming one. A movement collector means when you have “completed” learning the movements of a Tai Chi form or Qigong routine, you are done and move…
Tai Chi vs Qigong When starting out as a beginner student, which practice is best to start with? Tai Chi vs Qigong. Find out the low down on each practice here. My suggestion is to give both a good try, over about six weeks each, and then practice the one you fall in love with….
Winter Tai Chi Qigong Schedule Tai Chi Qigong Classes Isle of Wight Here is our winter schedule of classes, across Shanklin, Ryde and Newport on the Isle of Wight, covering the months of December 2024, January and February 2025. Practicing Tai Chi and Qigong is like turning on your body’s central heating system, to warm your…
Spring Schedule 2024 Isle of Wight Classes Join my Chen Tai Chi and Qi Gong community classes and workshop in Ryde and Newport on the Isle of Wight. Learn traditional movements that nourish mind and body with instructor Nicola from Earth Balance Tai Chi. For our online live stream classes via Zoom, view the schedule…
Stages of Awareness When starting out as a beginner Chen Tai Chi student, as you learn the movements and copy the instructor you begin to develop different levels of awareness. This article “stages of awareness” looks at common progression to expect when learning Tai Chi. The duration of time spent in one stage is down…
Tai Chi Student Review One of my students has shared their experience of learning Tai Chi and Qigong online in my live stream Zoom Classes. This student was new to the practices and currently attends both the Chen foundations live stream and the Qigong routine live stream classes. Online Tai Chi Student Review “I have…
Two Plates in Tai Chi The pelvic floor and diaphragm connection are important to consider in your Tai Chi practice. They are called the two plates in Tai Chi and are coordinated in movement and breath work. Spending time practising the connection will help develop your form and improve your posture. The principles that cover…
Self Sabotage in Tai Chi When starting a new hobby, like Tai Chi or Qigong, our minds can be our own worst enemy and will try to put all sorts of barriers in the way to stop us from leaving our comfort zone. This is a form of self sabotage. As humans, we like to…
Beginners Chen Tai Chi Learn the beginners Chen Tai Chi form via video on demand or downloadable MP4 files. The Chen Tai Chi 5 elements and 4 corners form consists of six movements to start your Tai Chi journey. Learn the signature movements in Chen Tai Chi, from silk reeling energy, to the body method…
Self Managing EDS Ehlers Danlos Syndrome / Hypermobility Syndromes Supporting the hypermobile mind & body Here are a collection of natural resources for people living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, hypermobility joint syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder, to help self managing EDS. All are genetic collagen defects that have an affect on every aspect of life…
Tai Chi Qigong Zoom Classes Join our weekly online classes from the UK, where you can study Chen Tai Chi and Qi Gong with me instructor Nicola at Earth Balance Tai Chi. Tai Chi and Qigong are effective ways to restore balance, build resilience and gain strength. I teach live stream classes on Zoom, video…
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…
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…
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…