Tai Chi Fan
There are certain weapons that are synonymous with tai chi practice, and in the White Crane style the first weapon that students learn is the tai chi fan. However, compared to weapons such as the spear and sword, it is a relatively modern addition to the tai chi arsenal and …
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Tai Chi for the Brain
One of the most common comments that students who are new to my class make at some point during their first class with me are along the lines of, “I didn’t realise it would be so good for my brain!”. Learning to move our bodies slowly and methodically is …
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The Lack of Tai Chi Crisis
Everything is a crisis nowadays. We’ve currently dealing with the cost of living crisis, Ukraine crisis, fuel crisis, energy crisis, food crisis. There are probably more, I’ve most likely lost count. Whilst I would never demean the severity of the situations listed, it does strike me that it is manna …
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Warming Up for Tai Chi
I remember being at school in the 80’s and for the first minute or so of our PE lesson we’d do the warm up. It was a case of the teacher shouting something along the lines of, “Okay boys, touch your toes… now you’re good to go!” I would hope …
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Tai Chi Fan
When a student reaches a certain level in their open hand tai chi practice (ie. not with a weapon in their hands), it is time to start practicing weapons! Traditionally, attainment of this level may well have taken up to a decade or more. However, these days it is …
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White Crane, Tai Chi, and Learning Online.
History of White Crane Tai Chi Not an awful lot is known about the origins of the White Crane form, known as ‘Shuang Yang Bai He Rou Ruan Quan’ (Frost & Sun White Crane Soft and Gentle Art). It’s commonly known as Shuang Yang, meaning Frost and Sun. Frost …
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The Important Hidden Benefit of Tai Chi
It’s great to see new members flooding in this week, January always sees many new people join and start their tai chi journey with us. Remember that you can subscribe with 25% off annual subscriptions all the way through January. Just use the coupon code newyear2022 to claim your discount. …
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How to Improve Quickly at Tai Chi
When giving advice to my students about how often they should train, I usually recommend a ‘little and often’ approach. If I enjoy something, I want to do it everyday – fortunately this is the best way to improve at tai chi. Let’s say you’ve just started a class or …
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Winter in Chinese Medicine
Winter is the most Yin time of year in Chinese medicine. The darker months are a time of looking inward, slowing down, resting, wrapping up, keeping warm, and eating nourishing foods. It is a time when looking after our kidneys is important. In Chinese medicine each season is associated …
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Tai Chi and Bad Backs
I imagine everyone has experienced it to some degree, that aching discomfort and slightly sickening pain of a bad back. Unable to get comfortable in any position, popping medication just to be able to get through the basic functions of the day, to sit pain free at your desk, or …
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