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You are here: Home / 2010 / Archives for May 2010

Archives for May 2010

Top 5 Tai Chi Books

By Chris Leave a Comment

Here are my top 5 Tai Chi books that I often refer to for research purposes.

1. Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan – Wu Ying-hua and Ma Yueh-linag

2. Wutan Tai Chi Chuan – Cheng Tin Hung and D.J. Dockerty

3. Wu Style Taijiquan – Wang Peishing and Zeng Weiqi

4. The Inner Structure of Tai Chi – Mantak Chia and Juan Li

5. Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Vol 1 – Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming

I will write up a review of each book in future posts.

What are your top 5 Tai Chi books?


Filed Under: For Beginners Tagged With: Tai Chi Books, Wu Tai Chi, Yang Tai Chi

60 Workshops in 26 Days

By Chris 1 Comment

I will never forget February, 2008.

I delivered 60 workshops in 26 days.

The workshops were our ‘Pozitive Kidz are Happy Kidz’ schools program which focuses on building self esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.

The students age range from 5-12 years old.

At that stage, each workshop ran for 30 minutes – four per morning – two before the break and two after the break.

These were high energy workshops which included props , games and humour to engage the children for the full session. A traditional approach would have been boring and not work as well.

By the time the third and fourth session kicked in during the morning I had to stay centred and make sure I was not repeating or forgetting to include an activity.

Because when I deliver a workshop I leave some flexibilty so I can react to what is happening in the moment, besides covering the core skills.

I now know what it feels like to be out on the road covering several gigs a day over an extended period.

It may not be rock n roll but it’s great fun and exhausting.

Why put my self through this ‘ordeal’?

I’ve got no choice.

I’m passionate about what I do.

Filed Under: Reflections Tagged With: children, Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz, primary school students, self esteem, Tai Chi

Inner Smile

By Chris Leave a Comment

The inner smile is an effective way of reducing tension in the body and the face.

I use a simplified version of the  ‘inner smile’ technique as part of my training.

It can be done either sitting or standing.

Here’s how to to do it;

  • align your body correctly
  • breathe slowly and deeply
  • slightly raise the corners of your mouth to form a smile
  • guide the chi (energy) from the smile to any tense areas of the body or face
  • Feel the chi dissolve any tension

The benefits of the inner smile are;

  • in training – stops you from grimacing which can lead to tension and poor performance of your skills
  • in general – makes you feel good and sends out good chi to people you commincate with

So don’t forget, put a smile on your dial with your inner smile!

Source: Tai Chi tip #9

Filed Under: Chi Kung, For Beginners Tagged With: Chi Kung, easy to do, Inner Smile, Technique

Dao De Jing – Quote

By Chris Leave a Comment

Three Jewels

Compassion – leads to courage
Moderation – leads to generosity
Humility – leads to leadership

Filed Under: Quotations Tagged With: Chinese, Dao De Jing, quote

Tai Chi Tip #45

By Chris Leave a Comment

Forms: Before starting, stabilise yourself by breathing slow and deep for at least 30 seconds.

Filed Under: For Beginners, Forms, Tai Chi Tips Tagged With: Form practice, Tai Chi Tip

SPORTS CHI FRAMEWORK

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID

SPORTS CHI
“An excellent interactive workshop. Chris was informative and engaging providing useful connections to AFL skills.  I absolutely loved it!”
Anita – Football player

“(Chris) was fantastic by way of enthralling around 26 footballers aged between 15 and 19 for 90 minutes at Glen Waverley Hawks. Most impressive!”
Peter Nash
–Coach

CHAIR CHI
“Very positive comments from all the staff. It was terrific and so many staff members said how they slept soundly that night.”
Kathy Prince – Ringwood North Primary School

TAI CHI
“The Tai Chi form is beautiful and I have gained valuable relaxation and stretching techniques.”
Tess Searle – PA

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