Tai chi

Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are fundamental to Chinese cosmology. The symbol is a familiar one, even to us in the West, I remember trying to draw it as I graffitied my school books as a child! Even though I had no clue what it meant… ‘something to do with peace!?’ was …

Wuji

In the next few blog posts I intend on explaining a few key concept of Taoism – and what better place to start than with absolute nothingness, before time and space!   Everyone is familiar with the ubiquitous Taiji symbol:     In the west we often refer to it …

China 2019

Mark is in China in the Guangxi province, exploring Chen style tai chi. Follow Mark’s trip to China on our sister website www.whitecraneacademy.com: Day 30 – Final Thoughts Day 29 – Hong Kong Tourist Day 28 – Travel to Hong Kong Day 27 – Modern Day Self Defence Day 26 …

Tai Chi and Dementia

This week is Dementia Awareness Week. In the UK alone there are over 850,000 people living with dementia and this figure is only set to rise – to a predicted 1 million by 2025.   Dementia comes in many forms, the most common of which is Alzheimer’s, which counts for …

This week in the UK it is mental health awareness week. According to the charity Mind, approximately one in four people will experience a mental health issue every year, and one in six people report a mental health problem – such as anxiety or depression – every week.   These …

5 Reasons Tai Chi is the Perfect Resolution This New Year

You can do it anywhere No need to pack a gym bag, or wear any special clothing, you don’t need to get in your car, or on a bus to go to a place to train all of the time. Just a little floor space is all you need (or …

Tai Chi and Diabetes

Diabetes awareness and helping those living with the condition remain healthy and in control is something which I personally feel very passionate about.   My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes when she was 7 years old and despite being a very difficult time for her and …

Parkinson’s and Tai Chi

What is Parkinson’s? The NHS sites the three prominent symptoms of Parkinson’s as being ‘an involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor), slow movement, as well as stiff and inflexible muscles’. From these main indicators spring a multitude of further complications – physical and psychological – which can …

Tai Chi Cross Training

Whilst Tai Chi is a wonderful activity to integrate into your life, there are – apparently – other things that people enjoy doing – so I am told! 🙂   For many people, tai chi becomes their sole activity and for them this is enough to keep active, healthy, fit, …