HoM — Tai Chi

Every movement counts!

Author Archives: Alda


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Interesting tai chi articles

This is a short post to recommend some of the tai chi articles which I have been reading in the last couple of months. We are so lucky to have all of this information with a few clicks.

An article which reminds me of the taoist principle of wu wei (action without action):

The Power of Yielding: Getting It Done By Not Doing It

Tai chi article about the famous and spiritual Wudang Mountain (Hubei, China)

Going to the Mountain

Insteresting article linking Eastern and Western medicine, fascia network and acupoints

Review of Evidence Suggesting That the Fascia Network Could Be the Anatomical Basis for Acupoints and Meridians in the Human Body

Portrait of a wonderful Grandmaster who will be in Donegal in June

Chen XiaoWang – Keeper of the taiji secrets

For more information about his seminar in Donegal, visit http://www.chenireland.com

I have been posting these and other articles in my Facebook page. If you wish to read them as I’m finding them, become a friend, like House of movement – Tai chi & qi gong in Facebook. Happy reading!


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Qi gong – Life force in motion

I’ve been trying to write a post about qi gong for a long time because I love qi gong. I discovered it by chance while doing tai chi, as one of my teachers introduced it in his classes as a separate element of training. I love the qi gong movements so much that I would like everyone to have a taste, to experience them, to love them, as I do. And the pressure of wanting to impress you makes the writing tough.

Qi gong is usually translated as “energy work”. Hardly a good translation of these concepts because in Chinese philosophy ‘qi’ and ‘gong’ mean much more than what you probably understand by ‘energy work’. ‘Qi’ is one of the basic energies which circulate through our bodies according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is sometimes referred to as vital energy or life force. ‘Gong’ is practice, training, or something that takes time to master. Qi gong requires continous practice and it consists of gentle exercises which can balance your qi levels.

Qi gong is composed of three elements: physical exercises, breathing, and attention to the movements. You need to bring your mind’s attention to your body while keeping a natural breathing pattern, and making your body move in a specific way. Generally, qi gong movements are repetitive, so they can be learnt faster than a tai chi sequence.

Qi gong is very popular in China because it can be done by people of different ages and physical conditions. It is gentle with the body, following your natural rhythm. Once you learn the precise structure and become more relaxed while doing the exercises, you will start feeling the ‘qi’ energy in your body. It will manifest as warmth, tingling, or other sensations.

Qi gong is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, both as a preventative and as a healing method, as some of the qi gong movements help unblock the energy blocks in the meridians.  Have a look at this article for more info. I could not write it better: http://www.beyondhuman.com/qigong-healingpower1.html

Enough words now! I was probably lacking words in my earlier attempts to explain qi gong because qi gong needs to be experienced. If you wish to have a taste, check the timetables for qi gong classes or look for a teacher near you.


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Why do I do tai chi ?

Recently, I was reading the article “Why do you practice tai chi” in Patience tai chi. And it got me to start asking myself questions. I am prone to self-enquiry as it is, so a new door was opening for me: what was the reason for my tai chi practice? Believe me, the moment I started to ask myself that question, I had no idea. And I bet you I still have no idea. But my mind looks for certainty, so it’s telling me a few stories about the reasons for my tai chi practice, and they seem to be quite reasonable and convincing. Here is what my mind says:

It is good for your health. Your lower back pains are over.

It is cheaper than a GP visit every second month.

You take responsibility for your health, so you are the boss.

You meet beautiful & relaxed people.

You are becoming a beautiful and relaxed person.

Your skin feels softer than ever.

Your brain functions better and your concentration has improved.

You have more energy for the numberless things you are interested in.

Your mood has improved so you always feel like doing all of those things.

You don’t get as angry as you used to, and laugh more often.

The chi feels better that a surge of adrenaline.

It actually feels so good that you don’t want to stop practising.

You feel more grounded, as if you had roots, and that gives you a sense of belonging.

You feel spiritually connected to the world.

Obviously, if my heart was to speak, only one line would be enough to answer what reasons I have for my tai chi practice:

I practice tai chi because I love it!


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Who is Master Liming Yue

I first met Master Liming Yue in Manchester in October 2010. I was very afraid because it was the first time that I was training with a Chinese master and I knew that he will see all my mistakes. I was also planning to be accredited as a chen style tai chi teacher and I had been training hard, but I knew I still had a lot to learn. I was in bits.

The training was intense and he was serious and thorough. I learnt so much! After that, with sore legs and an accreditation in my hand, I met Liming, the man. The weekend ended with a Chinese meal in China Town in Manchester with a couple of instructors. I didn’t stop laughing. He explained that he would like his students to become friends. This gave me an idea of who he was: a serious instructor, a warm man. I smiled and thought that I had found my next tai chi home.

Over the years, Liming has been telling me stories about the tai chi world he discovered in China and his stories fascinate me. He started to train as a child in Shaolin martial arts, and being impressed by one tai chi practitioner decided to train with the masters in the Chen village (home of tai chi) to continue his journey. He tells his stories with a soft voice in a childlike tone full of life.

As the Chinese proverb goes “Teachers open the door, you enter it by yourself”. Master Liming opened a door to chen style tai chi and health qi gong for many of us. And we are friends. Every time I go to train in Manchester or Loughrea, I know I will meet some of my tai chi friends, and my heart lightens.

On Friday, 24 February, he will be teaching in Dublin, and I can’t wait to introduce him to my tai chi students, maybe some day his new friends. I am just back from an amazing weekend training with him in Manchester, and I would like as many people as possible to access his teachings. If you are reading this, think about coming to the workshop. It is a great opportunity to train with a great teacher and meet a wonderful man.


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Year of the Dragon – This house is moving

Dear students,

Only about a month earlier, I was recalling some of the events which marked 2011. Now, we are in 2012 and a Chinese New Year has began – the Year of the Dragon. House of movement is getting ready for a new year full of tai chi news and events.

Our venues

South William Space: House of movement’s regular classes are being held in the South William Space, 27 South William Street, Dublin 2.

Open Mind Yoga: HoM will also use Open Mind Yoga studios for some workshops.

Parks: Last year, free tai chi in the park practice was organised in the Iveagh Gardens. When Spring knocks at the door, we will go back to nature.

Our friends

Ireland Tai chi and Qigong Association – House of Movement belongs to this association, which is becoming more active and strives to promote quality tai chi and qi gong training everywhere in Ireland. The association includes tai chi instructors from Clare, Galway, Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, Dublin, etc. See our Facebook page and become a fan here.

A tai chi & qi gong international event will be organised during the year. Watch this space!

Our monthly workshops

There will be monthly tai chi and/or qi gong workshops every month. Check our website for updates. The first workshops are as follows:

February — Friday 24th at 6-9pm– With Master Liming Yue. Open to absolute beginners. Open Mind Yoga, 95 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. More details here.

March — Friday 16th at 6-8pm — Health Qi Gong — Ba Duan Jin — South William Space. This is part of the affordable workshops at €15 for students in the mailing list only. If you wish to become part of the mailing list and get updates about these workshops, contact Alda.

Our celebrations

There is no celebration without a party and there is no party without a surprise, so let us leave this section blank.

It is a pleasure to be part of this house which is moving thanks to you.

Keep in touch,

Alda


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House of movement in 2011

Hightlights of Year 2011 in House of Movement

January 2011 – House of movement runs only one course in the Swan Leisure.

16 students start the 11 form course.

April 2011 – Intensive training and accreditation in Five Animals and 8 piece brocade

May 2011 – Alda participates in Tina Zhang’s workshop in qi gong for women in Dublin

June 2011 – Alda obtains Level 2 instructor accreditation by Master Liming Yue

                     House of movement starts new courses in the South William Space

August 2011 – SpIrish party to fundraise the Irish team in Qi Gong Intl Tournament

September 2011 – Alda competes in Intl Qi Gong Tournament in Canada

October 2011 – HoM runs 6 courses: Swan Leisure, Sth William St & Civic Offices

A delegation of Chinese health qi gong masters visits Ireland

November 2011 – House of movement leaves Swan Leisure, teaching only in Dublin 2

Plans for 2012

Health Qigong Affordable Workshops once a month

Master Liming Yue will start teaching in Dublin – First workshop in February 24

More events and news soon!

Thank you all for making this year such a big success. Happy New Year 2012!


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HoM celebrates one anniversary with free classes

Alda started to teach tai chi as House of movement at around these times in the Swan Leisure in Rathmines. To celebrate this first anniversary, welcome all new students, and encourage potential ones to have a taste of the classes, HoM is organising free tai chi & qi gong classes. The classes will be a preparation for the long awaited seminar by the Chinese masters of the Health Qi Gong Association.

Here are the details for the free classes:

Date: Monday, 24 October
Time: 6pm-7pm & 7pm-8pm
Venue: Ground Floor, 28 South William Street, Dublin 2
Level: All levels
Cost: Free
 

And here are the details for the Chinese Health Qi Gong Association seminar:

Date: Wednesday, 26 October
Time: 7pm-9:30pm
Venue: Yeats Suite, Mont Clare Hotel, 1/4 Lower Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Level: All levels
Cost: €25
 

Normal classes with resume the week after this event with 4 classes per week (except Monday bank holiday) in Dublin 2 and 1 class in Rathmines.

Mondays at 6pm: Tai Chi 11 form in 28 South William Street. Cost: €45/ month. More info here.
Mondays at 7pm: Introduction to tai chi and qi gong in 28 South William Street. Cost: €40/month or €13 drop-in. More info here.
Mondays at 8:15pm: Tai Chi 11 form in Swan Leisure, Rathmines. Cost: €40 for beginners & €45 for post-beginners. More info here.
Tuesdays at 6pm: Health Qi Qong in 28 South William Street. Cost: €45/ month or €15 drop-in. More info here.
Tuesdays at 7pm: Tai Chi 11 form in 28 South William Street. Cost: €45/ month. More info here.
 

Don’t forget to check our Offers page for more details about discounts you can avail of.


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International championship in Vancouver

Last weekend, 17-18 September, the 4th International Health Qigong Tournament and Exchange took place in Vancouver, followed by seminars by prestigious Chinese masters from the Chinese Health Qigong Association. I was part of the Irish team, together with Kevin Copeland from Clare Tai Chi. From the registration day on 15th September, we had the chance to meet tai chi and qi gong practitionners from all over the world. It was an extremely enriching experience, and I am sure you will see this reflected in my future classes.

The tournament ran smoothly. It started with an opening ceremony with speeches by VIPs from the Chinese and Canadian governments, beautiful dances, and demonstrations of the four qi gong sets represented in the tournament (Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, Yi Jin Jing & Liu Zi Jue). Both Kevin and I entered the competition in the modalities of Ba Duan Jin (8 pieces brocade) and Wu Qin Xi (five animals). Kevin brought two medals (silver and bronze) home. The competition was hard and I congratulate Kevin in his success.

Kevin receives his two medals (first on the left in the black suit)After the closing ceremony, the Chinese Health Qigong Association offered two seminars. Master Lei Bin and Master Wang Zhen shared their knowledge in respectively Yi Jin Jing and Mawangdui Daoyinshu qigong forms. The Mawangdui Daoyinshu qigong form has recently been introduced in the West and it is believed to be the origin of many other health qigong forms. The Chinese Health Qigong Association invited the instructors participating in this event to share this knowledge to benefit everyone’s health.

Wang Zhen with some students from ChinaThe Mawangdui Daoyinshu form is beautiful, with graceful movements and great health benefits as it works with all the meridians. I loved the movements, and I’ve decided to incorporate this form to my regular practice.

Participating in this event has proven to be a fantastic experience: my qigong has improved, I learnt other qigong forms, but also I met experienced instructors from all over the world who were open to share their experiences practising and teaching tai chi and qigong. I can’t wait to add all of this knowledge to my classes.

The Chinese Health Qigong Association masters, including its President, will be giving health qigong seminars in Ireland next October. They will teach Ba Duan Jin in Dublin on 26 October. More info here.

This is a unique opportunity to train with health qigong masters from China. If you are interested in this event, let me know.


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Who can do tai chi?

Some of you email or ring me concerned about being unfit, too old, or having a condition that may prevent you from doing tai chi. Here is an example of common questions:

- I am pregnant, can I do tai chi?

- I am over 60, can I go to your classes?

- I had an injury in my hip years ago, is it ok to do tai chi?

As a quick answer to above questions, here are some articles which may interest you: Tai chi during pregnancy, Tai chi & old age, Medical research on tai chi & health. Many pregnant women do tai chi, many over 60s or 70s do tai chi, many people with previous injuries or different conditions do tai chi, so I guess the general answer to the question ‘Who can do tai chi’ is: Practically everyone.

Now, having said that, each body is different, so you need to figure out if it is ok for you too. In fact, one of the first things you need to learn in a tai chi class is how to become more in tune with your body in order to feel the benefits of tai chi. Depending on your condition, you may need to avoid certain exercises (e.g. particular warm-ups). If this is the case, just don’t do the exercise. If in doubt, I would advise you to check with your doctor.

So who can do tai chi? You can. Check it out and see it for yourself!


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Free tai chi classes when you enter HoM

This is a quick note to let all current and potential students of HoM know that once you enrol a course, you can access other courses in the same level or inferior levels for free.

Examples:

If you attend the post-beginner course in South William Space on Mondays at 6pm, you can avail of free tai chi classes on Thursdays at 6pm the South William Space.

If you usually go on Mondays at 6pm and you are busy one week, you can make up for that class on Thursday at 6pm.

Also, if you enrol a qi gong course or drop-in a specific week to a qi gong class, you can avail of a discount on a class that same week. For example, if you enrol on the qi gong course on Monday at 7pm, you can go to the drop-in qi gong classes on Thursdays at 7pm for only €10. Or if you dropped in on Monday, and you wish to drop-in on Thursday that same week, you can do so for €10.

If you have any queries about this offer, do not hesitate to contact me.

To all new students, welcome to the House of movement (HoM)!

Alda

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