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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Martial Arts for Stress, Balance, and Happiness
During the 15 years that I had a career in the corporate world, I was often asked how I was able to not display signs of stress when everything seemed to be going wrong – as it very often does when you work in IT! My standard answer was, …
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The Best Anti-Anxiety Medication
It’s day three of what seems to be the new – temporary – lifestyle that we are all getting accustomed to. Actually I’m spending my days teaching, training, working on my laptop, walking the dog, eating, chatting with family and friends – pretty much the same as normal. Except …
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Release Tension & Heal Injuries
In Chinese astrology my sign is a dragon, which I have to say, is quite a relief. I’d be disappointed if the cosmic alignment had timed my birth in the time of a rooster or pig (no offence) – it’s a much better selling point for a martial arts instructor …
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Cold Water
I first read about the cold water immersion a long time ago when I was reading ‘Confessions of an English Opium Eater’ by Thomas de Quincey, in which he wrote about immersing his head in cold water at the start of the day. I’m not sure why it always stuck …
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Dealing with Stress in the Workplace
I’m lucky enough to be able to work for myself now but I spent the best part of 20 years in a corporate career. Whilst I didn’t always feel that way, many times over the near two decades people would frequently comment on how un-stressed I was at work. My …
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Breathing for Life
Of all the things which sustain us, our breath is one of the most vital. We can go several days without food and water, yet the world record for absolute longest breath hold is 22 minutes. This is an almost unbelievable time (by a world champion free diver) – but …
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