Nourish Through Breath Part 4 Learn Breath Work Techniques The next part in my better breathing series, looks at the involvement of the pelvic floor when taking a full diaphragmatic breath, for both the relaxing Buddhist breath and the energetic Taoist breath. Learn about balloon breathing and kidney breathing techniques to develop your breath work…
Michael Smith Soma Dao Qigong Dr Michael Smith is as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Functional Medicine who has also trained in internal martial arts, Qigong and Taoism with lineage holders of the traditions. Michael’s YouTube channel has instructional Qi Gong videos and practice sessions that combine his personal and professional experience of…
Winter Solstice Livestream Online Taoist Meditation Workshop 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 longest…
John Blue Snake and Turtle Qigong Instructor John Blue from SnakeAndTurtle.com has a new youtube channel and Patreon page dedicated to sharing healing qigong movements and meditation teachings. He is an experienced qigong instructor with a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a lineage holder in Taiji Quan, Qigong and meditation. He lives in…
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…
Autumn Qi for the Lungs Autumn is a mellowing and contracting time of year that is governed by the metal element and the lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Here are my suggestions for strengthening your lungs as the weather turns cooler. Lungs and Large Intestines in TCM The lung is known as a yin…
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…
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,…
Health Baselines Learning to Take Care of Yourself In my classes I often talk about exercising and training gracefully to your own physical baseline. This phrase comes from my teacher Casey Kochmer, from Personal Tao. Read his article on baselines here. We all have a unique health baseline, that changes with the ebb and flow of…
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…
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…
Compassionate Tai Chi Developing Life Skills with Tai Chi Taoist philosophy trickles down into our Tai Chi and Qigong practice, teaching us how to navigate daily life. Tai Chi and Qigong help us become more compassionate with ourselves and others, which helps us balance our heart-mind. Regular practice of the Classical Chinese arts helps bring…
The Absence of Resistance The meaning of relaxation Through practice, effort and patience you can learn to release physical and mental tension. This helps to reduce pain and fatigue and increases the ability to cope. We are not designed to live in a tight body, it’s a nasty by product of modern life. What if…
Taoist Six Healing Sounds Taoist Meditation Practice for Health, Happiness and Longevity Further to the article on the meditation of the inner smile, we can extend the practice to include the healing sounds. This ancient practice helps expel negative emotions from the organs, cleanse the organs and transforms them into positive emotions. This can be…
