Tai Chi

Oh, the Pain … the Pain

One of my favourite quotes from the 1960s American television show, Lost in Space, was uttered by Dr Smith.

He would often cry ‘oh, the pain the pain’ when facing a difficult situation. It always provided me with a good laugh.

But it is not laughable when you are the one suffering pain.

Last year I was running our Aged Care Chair Training Level Two workshop which has a Pain Management component and I received positive feedback from a participant. He also provided me with information about two leading researchers in the area of ‘pain management’ who run conferences called Explain Pain.. Their next conference was scheduled for Christchurch, New Zealand later that year so I decided to attend to learn what the current Western research is on pain management.

While in Christchurch I also took the opportunity to deliver our own first international Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level One workshop after the Ease Pain conference.

Anyway, when I got back from the conference and with the help of my colleague, Sue James, I decided to create a workshop called Ease Pain … the Chi way using practical skills from Tai Chi and Chi Kung (energy work).

This year we launched our first Ease Pain … the Chi way in Sydney and it was well received. We’ve scheduled more workshops in various Victorian Country areas and interstate and I’m looking forward to our next Ease Pain .. the Chi way workshop in Echuca on the 25th of June. Here’s a link to our complete Australian and New Zealand 2018 schedule.

This particular workshop is designed for anyone, not just aged care staff.

So if you find yourself saying ‘Oh, the pain, the pain’ then come along to one of our workshop and learn how to ease the pain.

2015: Tai Chi Number Crunching

By Chris Leave a Comment

Well, it’s been a very hectic but enjoyable Tai Chi year and here are some stats to wrap up 2015.

Personal Training:
60 minute ’embrace the tree’ posture. Started 3 years ago with 30 seconds and added 30 seconds each week – previous to that I could never manage more than 3-5 minutes without minor knee problems. Now practice 60 minute embrace the tree posture 3 times a week and 30 minutes on alternative days.
9 minute low stance – 3 times a week
8 Tai Chi push ups – 3 times a week
11 hours training per week

Professionally:
256 Chair Chi workshops for 10 aged care centres – average 5 workshops per week
15 Chair Chi staff training workshops – includes 5 interstate (3 capital cities in a 2 week period)
1 Tai Chi demonstration
1 Chair Chi Plus pilot study over 6 weeks – 3 sessions a week – report to be completed in January
4 Video recordings of Chair Chi workshops (includes staff and resident interviews) at 3 aged care centres
6 Good Chi News e newsletters published – focus on aged care – launched this year

Next year will be another big one as we further expand our business into the aged care sector.

So until then have a great Christmas break and may the good chi be with you.

Push Hands in the Park

By Chris 1 Comment

Some snaps of our regular Push Hands in the Park sessions. Here are the details of the next Push Hands session:

When: Sunday – Ist November

Time: 10.00am – 12 noon

Where: Fawkner Park – South Yarra (Armadale Road entrance), Melbourne, Australia

Friendly, non-competitive push hands (tui shou) practice and play for anyone – old, young, beginners, masters.

Team up with someone and discuss what you’d like to do – and what you’d not like to do!

Ten minute exchanges timed by a bell – but you can rest as well!

Learn, share and enjoy.

Tai Chi: 50 Minute Man

By Chris Leave a Comment

Correct technique - camera amgle off line - honest :) — Correct technique – camera angle off line – honest 🙂

Well, this week has been a milestone as I’ve reached the 50 minute mark of the ’embrace the tree’ posture.

I’m well on my way to the ‘magical’ 60 minute workout which will be a huge achievement for me as in my early years of Tai Chi practice I could never hold the stance for more than 2 minutes without causing pain to my knees.

Three years ago I decided to research the embrace the tree stance in depth to see if I could find a way to hold the stance for longer periods of time.

So I started with 30 seconds, 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). And each following week I added another 30 seconds. This gave me the opportunity to avoid over-training and to train correctly.

When I reached the 30 minute mark I decided to train on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. On those days I started with 30 seconds and each following week added another 30 seconds.

Now I’m advancing to the 60 minute mark on the Monday, Wednesday, Friday sessions and the other days I just do 30 minutes as I have other training to do.

So on December 14th I’ll hit the ‘magical’ 60 minute mark.

My high stance work schedule will then be 60 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 30 minutes on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Not bad for a former 2 minute man.

Footnote: If you look down to the bottom of the page you’ll see my progress – updated on a weekly basis. Publicising my progress gives me added incentive to achieve my target.

September: Push Hands in the Park

By Chris Leave a Comment

Here are the details for the next Push Hands in the Park session.

When: Sunday – 6th September

Time: 10.00am – 12 noon

Where: Fawkner Park – South Yarra (Armadale Road entrance), Melbourne, Australia

Friendly, non-competitive push hands (tui shou) practice and play for anyone – old, young, beginners, masters.

Team up with someone and discuss what you’d like to do – and what you’d not like to do!

Ten minute exchanges timed by a bell – but you can rest as well!

Learn, share and enjoy.

All welcomed.