Great River T'ai Chi - London, Aberdeenshire, & Gothenburg.

London Workshops until the Summer break

2012-02-22T13:13:00.000Z

All workshops are with Mark at our usual venue, St Mary Magdalene Church hall unless listed otherwise, and run from 2-5pm. They are open to T'ai Chi Centre and Great River students. The 3 hour sessions include a short break for jasmine tea and cost £20 per person. Concessions are available; just arrange it with Mark beforehand.

Sunday 1st April: Heartwork Partnerwork
A little experience, even one previous go at this with Mark or John Kells, is necessary. Ask David for details at class or contact me for his number or email.

Saturday 28th April: Sword Study Group (Straight Sword, Jian)
This is suitable for all those who are studying Sword at whatever level, but will not be a session for people to start from scratch. If you have already been studying Sabre a while, or have finished the Sabre form, you can book a Sword 121 lesson with Mark to prepare for this. Senior Sword students are also welcome. We will be looking at form and applications.

Sunday 3rd June: Staff
The next of the popular and enjoyable staff study days. Form, partnerwork, exercises, drills. All welcome, spare staffs available.

Saturday 9th June: Senior Sword study group
All those who have finished, or almost finished learning the postures of the Sword form. Applications, form study and revision, partnerwork.

Sunday 1st July: Sabre
All welcome who have any level of experience of Sabre except complete beginners. Form, applications, exercises.

Friday 13th July: Talu and stepping partnerwork at Hampton
Our traditional warm-up for the Week-long Intensive. All welcome.

Saturday July 14th 2pm - Friday 20th 10pm: 7th Annual Week-long Intensive, Hampton
Details at right of blog, all welcome with experience of 1/3 Short Form, some push hands and Salutations.

Aberdeenshire workshops 24-26 February

2012-02-21T19:51:00.000Z

The next Aberdeenshire workshops with Caroline start on the 24th February. All sessions except weapons are at Balvack. The price is £15 / (£10 concs) per 3 hr session. Please bring food to share on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday 7-10pm Weapons at Fetternear Hall (this will be an intensive on Sword, just a brief look at Sabre and Staff- Caro)
Saturday 2-5pm Short Form
Saturday 6.30-9.30pm Partnerwork (all welcome)
Sunday 2.30-5.30pm Long Form (Note slightly later start time)
Sunday 6.30-9.30pm Dance, Heartwork, One Posture

2012-02-19T19:05:00.002Z

What The Water Feels Like To The Fishes - Dave Eggers
The Guardian, 8th January 2005

Like the fur of a chinchilla. Like the cleanest tooth. Yes, the fishes say, this is what it feels like. People always ask the fishes, 'What does the water feel like to you?' and the fishes are always happy to oblige. Like feathers are to other feathers, they say. Like powder touching ash. We smile and nod. When the fishes tell us these things, we begin to understand. We begin to think we know what the water feels like to the fishes. But it's not always like fur and ash and the cleanest tooth. At night, they say, the water can be different. At night, when it's very cold, it can be like the tongue of a cat. At night, when it's very very cold, it's like cracked glass. Or honey. Or forgiveness, they say, ha ha. When the fishes answer these questions - which they are happy to do - they also ask why. They are curious things, fish are, and thus they ask, 'Why? Why do you want to know what the water feels like to the fishes?' And we are never quite sure. The fishes press further. 'Do you breathe air?' they ask. The answer is yes. Well then, they say, 'What does the air feel like to you?' And we do not know. We think of air and we think of wind, but that's another thing. Wind is air in action, air on the move, and the fishes know this. Well then, they ask again, 'What does the air feel like?' And we have to think about this. Air feels like air, we say, and the fishes laugh mirthlessly. 'Think!' they say. 'Think,' they say, now gentler. And we think and we guess that air feels like hair, thousands of hairs, swaying ever so slightly in breezes microscopic. The fishes laugh again. 'Do better, think harder,' they say, encouraging us. It feels like language, we say, and they are impressed. 'Keep going,' they say. It feels like blood, we say, and they say, 'No, no, now you're getting colder.' The air is like being wanted, we say, and they nod approvingly. The air is like being pushed and pulled and yanked, punched and slapped and misunderstood and loved, we say, and the fishes sigh and touch our forearm sympathetically.

I still love this, and am reposting it here in case anyone missed it when I posted it years ago...

Sword and Sabre handle wrap

2012-02-19T18:39:00.001Z

Recently my telescopic sword's fabric tape handle wrapping [I realise that's alot of nouns in one sentence] became worn out and manky from use. I finally had time to pop in to a bike shop and buy some handle bar tape to replace it, as I figured that'd be just right for the job. The guy in the Clapham Evans Cycles shop was very helpful and assisted me in finding some black tape amongst the dayglo. Mark cut and fitted the tape for me as shown below, it was very straightforward. There's enough tape in a £12 pack to do about 6 handles of our telescopic swords, so I am bringing my pack to class, and if you want to use some, bung me a couple of quid... You may need a drop of Evo Stick to start and finish the tape off, as it is non adhesive, but self-gripping. Alternatively, use some thin waterproof black tape as shown in the photo, (as the pack comes with enough of this finishing tape for two swords only.) This padded gel tape handles really well, and doesn't get sticky. The guy in the cycle shop was intrigued about sword handle wrappings, as most of his customers are cyclists rather than T'ai Chi folk.

Welcome hindrances 2

2012-02-19T17:16:00.001Z

Nimbus this time, rather than Diesel.

Kuti pictures

2012-02-19T17:14:00.000Z

These tell so much more than I could put in words about the retreat at the Kuti.

Staff workshop

2012-02-19T15:09:00.000Z

...was last Sunday at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Trinity Rd, Tooting, 1-4pm, £15. It was great! New date for the next one soon...

4 jabs exercise

Training keeping at a constant distance whilst stepping.

Get your workshops here...

2012-02-19T13:08:00.000Z

My week has been busy, but full of lovely things like T'ai Chi, so no complaints, however, it's why I haven't had time to blog, which I will remedy over the next day or so.

The Usual Swordspects

Sword: Yesterday we had the first session of the senior sword group, and I finished learning the sword form postures, which was great. Thanks to Mark for a wonderful workshop. I will be focusing on teaching sword at Aberdeenshire and Hackney so that more folks are eligible to come along to the planned senior sword workshop in about 6 or 7 weeks time where we will work on applications, partnerwork and refining the postures. There will also be another sword group, for those who only recently started sword with Mark, but this is not for total beginners newly starting the form. The cost will be approximately £15-20. If you've always wanted to have a go at sword, and would like to join this group, book a 121 with Mark or myself to get started so you can join in. I will book a hall for this group for about 2 months' time, if possible, and let folks know as soon as I can. I have filmed Mark to the end of the sword form, and will Yousendit it to all studying it later today. If you don't receive it, but would like it, get in touch.
Heartwork: There will be a Heartwork session at our usual workshop hall venue on 1st April 2-5pm. This will focus on Heartwork exchanges, (partnerwork), and is open to all those who have done some of this at Mark's workshops, last year's Intensive, or with John Kells. David is cat-herding this one, so speak to him if you are interested. The cost will be approximately £15-20. This is not suitable for those who have not done Heartwork partnerwork before, as we will be jumping straight in, so to speak, so some experience is necessary. The Summer workshop will include an introduction to this for those who want to join in for future sessions.
Staff: The staff workshop last weekend was great. I will book the hall and try to get another date for about 6 week's time. anyone needing video resources, get in touch with me. The cost will be approximately £15-20.

Last night I went along with Marli and David to The 1595 for a spot of European Renaissance martial arts. It was a great session, Chris the instructor was delightful, and the 2 hours of unarmed stepping partnerwork whizzed by. I really enjoyed it and will return again in 4 weeks time after my next teaching commitments are over, as sessions are only on Saturday evenings. The principles are clear and excellent, and everything is different enough from our T'ai Chi that I feel I could safely train in this for the enjoyment of it without messing things up for myself in terms of movement, memory or risking undermining any softness I now finally have... Also a novelty, we went down the pub afterwards, which certainly seems to be a historically accurate endeavour after a spot of English pugilism.

Weeklong Intensive 2012

2012-02-19T12:38:00.000Z

I have just re-reconfirmed (!) the dates with Kevin regarding the use of his Hampton studio for our summer workshop this July. Glad I did... as a misunderstanding about the exact dates had crept in. I am happy to say that we can go ahead as planned, all the dates, prices and details are listed via the link to the right of this blog and if you need any help with any arrangements, just get in touch, for instance if you need somewhere to stay, or can offer a bed. I will be printing flyers shortly, and will bring them to class as soon as I can.

Ceilidh

2012-02-17T15:41:00.001Z

Thanks to Wayne for the info.

Sunday 19th February

2012-02-17T12:31:00.000Z

There's no drop-in session at Balvack this Sunday.

Hearts

2012-02-14T00:02:00.001Z

Hearts

2012-02-14T00:01:00.000Z

2012-02-13T21:09:00.001Z

Still really enjoying reading Bloke On The Path. Often, Mark will just recently have taught the same point that Christian raises, or remembered the same teachings from John. Excellent.

Kuti cat

2012-02-13T20:58:00.001Z

I had a very nourishing silent, solitary, week-long retreat at the Kuti at The Barn, Sharpham, Devon. People have asked, 'what did I do?' I chopped wood and carried water, lit and maintained the fire in the stove (it was -3 degrees C some nights) and got my food together. I read and studied the Taoist Classics and I sat meditating. One night I drew a tree by the the light of the full moon. This day, when I went to saw wood, it wasn't possible, as Nimbus the cat required a place to perch for a little while, photogenically. I was silent, except for when mooching with the cat, and I was solitary except for when he or the varied bird-life and mice in the roof, came to join me. I will post more at the end of the week. Love and peace to all my sangha, the folks of Great River, The T'ai Centre, our lineage relations and friends.
I will return to the kuti for another week's solitary practice in June.

Wednesday class at Hackney this week

2012-02-13T12:36:00.002Z

... will be at a different venue this week.
15th Feb: Class will be normal times at nearby venue so that HRC can hold a Valentine's Film Festival, and earn much needed cash for its ongoing restoration.
Venue is 10mins away at: St Luke's Hackney, Homerton Terrace, (reached via Meeting Field Path from Chatham Place off Morning Lane), Hackney, E9 6RT.
I will also put a poster on the door.

No T'ai Chi Centre class on Tuesday 28th February

2012-02-13T12:32:00.001Z

...as the hall at Trinity Church will be being used for by the church as they will be welcoming their new vicar. Classes resume as normal. If Mark organises another hall or session, I will post it here.

Turriff class

2012-02-05T11:40:00.001Z

The Short Form class at Turriff restarts Monday 6th February and term runs until 26th March, 7-8:30pm at the Gateway Centre.

Sunday 5th February

2012-02-04T12:13:00.000Z

Aberdeenshire drop-in session from 2-5pm at Balvack. All welcome.

2012-02-01T14:29:00.000Z

Just packing my last bits before heading off, having to be ruthless as my backpack is only so big, and it's just that and my usual 'handbag' for the next ten days. Warm clothes prevail as it's prdeicted -5 Friday night at the hut... Decided to leave at home the rather lovely Rococo chocolates someone had bought me. A moment later, randomly opening 'The Inner Teachings of Taoism' (Trans. Thomas Cleary) which I am taking with me; of course the first thing I read was this:

Do not crave fine food.
Superior people plan for the Way, not for food;
Inferior people nurture the palate, not the mind.

2012-02-01T11:34:00.002Z

"matching your outside to your inside"
Rudi Richardson, on this morning's Midweek on Radio4

Gothenburg ahoy

2012-02-01T11:33:00.001Z

SATURDAY3 MARCH 13pm-16pm

SUNDAY4 MARCH 13pm-16pm

ÄRLEGÅRDEN MARIAPLAN GÖTEBORG

Weare happy to welcome back Caroline for our 3^rdyear running Tai Chi workshop. This spring we’ll focus on practicesthat will open the heart, the front heart and the back heart. We willbe exploring our roots, our grounding and our contact upwards. Asusual there will be a lot of partnerwork looking into the power ofyielding rather than resisting and we will explore the flow of energyfrom Yin to Yang and that which appears in between through basicpractices. You do not need to have any previous Tai Chi experience. If you do, these techniques are applicable to any form of Tai Chi. (Tai Chi nerds, there will be push hands, double push hands, Wabu,free style stepping and Dalu.)

One day 400:- two days 700:-

Questions and booking to Anna anna@annadahlman.se +46706 806043, booking is binding

Away until 11th February

2012-02-01T10:02:00.001Z

I will be away from tomorrow morning until 11th February at Sharpham Trust. I will not be receiving emails, texts or calls, and they will not be checked until 9th February. In emergencies Mark has a number for me. For London T'ai Chi queries please contact Mark or wait until I am back. For Aberdeenshire queries contact Davina via the website. For Swedish queries contact Anna via the link to the right.

See you soon...

2012-01-31T11:48:00.000Z

Thank you to all those who signed the lovely card from Scotland, and to all those friends, family, swans and ducks who helped make my 40th birthday by far the best yet...

No Turriff class 30th January

2012-01-30T07:30:00.001Z

There will be no class at Turriff this evening. Term continues next week, 6th February.

Tooting - Arts capital of the UK?

2012-01-28T12:05:00.002Z

I turn away for 5 minutes and when I look back all this is going on...
Brickbox
Tooting Arts Club
Construction Gallery

Power Group C

2012-01-27T18:29:00.004Z

I have tried to connect all the dates and times that folks are free to make a new study group C for those who want to do power training, but have failed so far, as the free times are so disparate. I will make an email list of all the folks who want to do this, and get you all in touch with each other, at least. Then, hopefully you can get something together between yourselves or alternatively, get 121s or small group lessons with Mark, then come along to any group A or B practice sessions, the next one of which is on 2nd March. Any queries, get in touch. I will email everyone when I get back from meditation retreat on 11th Feb, if not before.

Hackney Round Chapel Class News

2012-01-27T18:19:00.000Z

There will be some small changes affecting the next few weeks, they are listed below.

1st Feb: class as normal
8th Feb: 1st class of new block if paying by term. David will be taking the class, as I will be on retreat in Devon.
15th Feb: Class will be normal times at nearby venue so that HRC can hold a Valentine's Film Festival, and earn much needed cash for its ongoing restoration. Venue is 10mins away at: St Luke's Hackney, Homerton Terrace, (reached via Meeting Field Path from Chatham Place off Morning Lane), Hackney, E9 6RT. I will post pictures and make flyers soon.

It is very rare that we have to move from the regular hall, but I like to support HRC and accommodate their needs when we can. The festival organisers are paying for our replacement hall, and Lisa at HRC has done the research, so a big thanks to her. It'll be good to check out this local alternative venue; maybe it'll be ideal for when the music and beer festivals are on. If so, I will book it in advance for us for July and September and we'll not need to miss any more classes in future. Please support the class by coming along as normal if at all possible during these changes, which I hope will not affect you too much. New folks are still welcome to drop in.

There is a Staff Workshop on 12th Feb in Tooting at the usual vanue, 1-4pm, all welcome, £15.

There will soon be a sword study afternoon too, hopefully in March, watch this space!

No Balvack Sunday drop-in

2012-01-27T18:00:00.001Z

There's no drop-in session at Balvack this Sunday, 29th January. Any volunteers for an alternative location?

Space and light

2012-01-27T14:51:00.000Z

'There's nothing extraneous or unloved' in the newly redecorated lounge / teaching room here, said Jonathan yesterday, which I found really perceptive and heartening. His words were a much more chilled, less didactic update on William Morris's pleasingly Victorian maxim: 'Have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'. In an age of consumerist maximalism vs expensive shiny minimalism, I am happy to share my home with a few loved plants, random lovely found things and a few very useful devices... Yesterday during Carmen's lesson, the sun reflected off a neighbour's windows, through the stained glass, and cast gorgeous shadows through my top charity shop find of last year, a glass candle shade.

I have just treated myself to all Keith Jarrett's Sun Bear Concerts, and The Koln Concert, which I first heard when I was 14 along with Thomas Tallis, and they made a big impression. Listening now to the CD which has just arrived, I am transported!

Jack Kornfield

2012-01-26T23:47:00.000Z

Jack Kornfield is a well respected US Buddhist teacher and excellent author on matters of the heart and meditation. He co-founded Spirit Rock Foundation and still teaches there. His exemplary book 'A Path With Heart' was recommended to me by my first meditation teacher Kajedo (who, incidentally, wrote this piece, that I just found on the web, around about the time I first studied T'ai Chi and meditation with him 24 years ago, about how he came to The Way). Kajedo had several good teachers, including the Kobayashis in Germany for T'ai Chi, and Kornfield in the States for meditation. I would like to wholeheartedly recommend the most recent of Kornfield's books 'The Wise Heart'. It has been in turns a soothing balm and strong medicine for the dark month between mid-December and early January, whilst the Natural Process churned me until it was done.

NB: It's not as if the milk likes being made into butter...

From tonight's class with Mark

2012-01-26T23:10:00.001Z

Move your feet rather than lose...
1: the quality of your connection to your partner
2: your centre line (your integrity)
3: ward-off

Aberdeenshire and 121s

2012-01-23T20:17:00.002Z

Thanks to all students who came along for a great weekend of lessons and 121s. It was lovely to have so much sunshine too. Can I put my order in for another big batch of photons for next month?

Folks have been asking for 121s with me over the next months - here are my remaining spaces: Sunday 17th March morning and early sessions for those of you who like to do 121s at 9 or 10am (yes, you know who you are...) on Monday morning 19th March.

Tooting plane trees

2012-01-19T17:06:00.004Z

Fraternal twins: (very closely related, yet not identical...)

comparison & dissatisfaction

gratitude & generosity

********

As medicine to ward off seasonal affective disorder, I am really engaging with the surprising beauty of my surroundings here in gentle Tooting... Off to class shortly for 4 hours of T'ai Chi with the Thursday Posse.

2012-01-19T13:13:00.001Z

I won't be posting much over the next couple of weeks as I am having works done at my home, and am travelling about a lot. Text or call to get in touch.
Upcoming dates:
Aberdeenshire workshop this weekend.
Staff workshop Sunday 12th February, all welcome including beginners, 1-4pm St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, Tooting, SW17 0AW (Tooting Bec tube or Wandsworth Common BR, both 10 min walk). £15 cost.
Gothenburg workshops 3rd and 4th March, more details soon, or contact Anna Dahlman from links menu.

Lastly, thanks to the Hackney students new and long-term for their enthusiasm and good work last night, it was a lovelyclass. New students are welcome to come along throughout January.

Aberdeenshire Workshops this weekend

2012-01-19T08:00:00.001Z

Workshops with Caroline this weekend start with Weapons at Fetternear Hall, Friday 7-10pm. All Great River students are welcome to attend the Short Form and Partnerwork sessions on Saturday at Balvack. More details are available here.
If you need travel directions or more information please contact Paolo or your instructor.

T'ai Chi classes in Richmond Upon Thames

2012-01-16T09:43:00.000Z

My good friend and T'ai Chi brother Chris Jackson has begun teaching a class on Sunday evenings at 6pm. It is aimed at those who are finding benefit from 12 Step programmes and Chris feels T'ai Chi can be really helpful in this context. For details call him on 07584 425585. Suggested class donation is £3, all proceeds go towards the costs of running the venue.

Oldmeldrum Class

2012-01-15T13:43:00.002Z

The new term of the Oldmeldrum class starts this Monday 16th January 12.30pm - 2pm. There is also extended practice after the class for more experienced students.

New Beginners very welcome.

Aberdeenshire Sunday drop-ins

2012-01-14T15:33:00.002Z

There will be a Sunday drop-in session at Balvack from 2-5pm tomorrow, January 15th. All welcome.
Next weekend will be the workshops with Caroline. We're away the following weekend, so Sunday sessions will restart on February 5th.

Turriff class restarts 16th January

2012-01-14T15:06:00.004Z

The new term of Short Form classes at Turriff starts on Monday 16th January and runs until the 26th of March, except 30th January. We meet 7-8:30pm at the Gateway Centre (next to the swimming pool). The price for the 10-week term is £70 or £50 concession.

Previous students are more than welcome to rejoin the class. This term is also open to total beginners. Feel free to contact me or check the Great River website if you need more details.

Mala

2012-01-12T15:48:00.000Z

As many of you know, I am never without a craft on the go, and for many years I have made jewellery with semi-precious stones and beads, I used to make them to commission and also sell some items at creativity fairs at Findhorn when I lived near Huntly. This turquoise and carnelian 108 bead mala was one of the first things I made, for the second silent meditation retreat I took with Kajedo during his trainings at Newbold House, many years ago. I wore it travelling a few months ago, as, feeling a bit under the weather, I felt I needed reminding to let go of things and keep calm. The Tao had a different teaching on non-attachment for me that day, and whilst uncharacteristically rushing for the airport boarding gate I caught the mala on my case and the beads went spilling all over the gangway floor right by the plane door. My initial urge to swear at myself quickly turned to attempting to salvage as many beads as were to hand, and some kind latecomers helped me too. In the end I collected 103 beads as well as the end bead which is carved with 'long life' in Chinese. During the flight to Gothenburg I calmed myself down, without the aid of my mala, the irony of which was not lost on me.

Now, a few months later, I felt it was time to renew my beads, so yesterday I visited my preferred supplier Beadworks in Covent Garden to replace some of the carnelians and get some other findings and fittings. If anyone would like to commission a mala, some other jewellery, or needs any beads rethreading or other bits fixing, get in touch, as I would be happy to do that, now that I am restocked.

TED Talks: The Divided Brain - animated!

2012-01-11T15:02:00.000Z

You may have already spotted it, but this wonderful TED talks animated version of part of Iain McGilchrist's superb talk at the RSA, which I attended last year, is now online here. Get a cup of tea, and spend 12 minutes enjoying the wonderful illustrations and this succint introduction to Iain's book, by the man himself. thanks to Nick for the link.

Thursday Long Form

2012-01-10T19:53:00.003Z

Wyness Hall is booked for the next block of Long Form and (possibly) weapons practice. The price is £20 or £3.50/week.

12-Jan Paolo
19-Jan Sandy
26-Jan Scott
2-Feb Anneke
9-Feb Davina
16-Feb Janet
23-Feb TBC
1-Mar Neil
8-Mar Paolo
15-Mar Sandy

If you can't make the session that you're due to lead then please contact someone on the list to arrange a swap.

T'ai Chi in Hackney

2012-01-10T16:05:00.001Z

...begins again with me tomorrow at Hackney Round Chapel from 6pm. The new routine means tea is at 8.15pm or a little before. New students: the door is at 1D Glenarm Road, to the right as you look at the building, come in and go directly left through two doors into the main hall. A rough guide to the evening's study is:

6-7pm: warm ups and Short Form study.
7-8pm: Heartwork, silk reeling, partner work, push hands, finishing with a run-through of the Short Form up to which ever posture the beginners have just learned.
Tea, beginners class ends.
8.20-9.30pm: one full run-through of the Short Form, plus any questions. Advanced silk-reeling, connecting hands, Long Form study, questions and applications, any relevant partner work.
9.30-10pm: Weapons study; one full Sabre Form plus questions, Sword Form new postures and study.

Long time students are encouraged to arrive as early as they can make it along. All students will now be paying the same price for classes: waged fee: £60 per 6 week block of classes, or £12 per week drop in cost. Concession fee: £36 per 6 week block of classes, £8 per week drop in cost.

Happy new year to you all, see you tomorrow!

Aberdeenshire weekend 20-22 January

2012-01-10T11:09:00.001Z

Friday 7-10pm Weapons at Fetternear Hall
Saturday 2-5pm Short Form
Saturday 6.30-9.30pm Partnerwork (all welcome)
Sunday 2-5pm Long Form and introduction to Power training
Sunday 5.30-6pm Discussion on plan of study, frequency of workshops with Mark and Caro, etc for 2012 and beyond.
Sunday 6.30-9.30pm Dance, Heartwork, One Posture

Hope to see you there, all workshops at Balvack unless stated. One 121 slot still remains on the morning of Saturday 21st January.

T'ai Chi in Tooting

2012-01-10T09:23:00.002Z

... with my teacher starts again tonight at 6.30pm at Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Road, near Tooting Bec.

2012-01-09T22:42:00.001Z

I brought my late Nan's brushes and pallette back from my Mum's to add to my art equpiment, and was given this lovely easel at Christmas. Soon I will have paint too. Exciting times ahead. Watch out those of you who can sit still: I may be asking for your time in return for tea and cake.

David Hockney received the Order of Merit, hurrah.
Also, remembered how much I love this...

Aberdeenshire classes & workshops

2012-01-09T18:56:00.004Z

Long Form sessions restart this Thursday, 12th January, at Wyness Hall.

Short Form classes will start on the following dates:
Turriff Monday 16th 7-8:30pm
Cults Tuesday 17th 5:30-7pm
Inverurie Wednesday 18th 7-8:30pm

The next workshops with Caroline are 20-22 January.
More details on all of the above soon ...

Start T'ai Chi

2012-01-08T00:22:00.002Z

My Grand Master John Kells once said there are only two essential things in beginning the study of T'ai Chi Ch'uan:
1. Start T'ai Chi
2. Continue T'ai chi

It's really simple.
(However, it's really not easy...)

A warm welcome awaits all who wish to try T'ai Chi with Great River or The T'ai Chi Centre this New Year, whether for private study or in classes. If you cannot find the information you need on the websites and blog for you to just come along, please get in touch with me via my website for any details, or with questions you may have.

I look forward to seeing students old and new over the coming weeks. I hope folks are well rested and looking forward to a year of wonderful study and fellowship together.

121s with me in Aberdeenshire

2012-01-07T19:46:00.000Z

I have space for one more 121 session on Saturday morning (21st January) in Aberdeenshire when I return in a fortnight. Let me know if you'd like it. Sunday and Monday's sessions are already full.

2012-01-07T19:33:00.001Z

My sewing machine has been serviced by the excellent Wimsew and is now working better than ever. If anyone needs a weapons or T'ai Chi shoes bag making, let me know.

London classes resume

2012-01-07T19:30:00.000Z

London classes resume next Tuesday and Thursday at The T'ai Chi Centre and next Wednesday for Great River T'ai Chi. 121s are available from Monday with both myself and are now bookable for the Spring term with Mark. All The T'ai Chi Centre class and workshop event times are displayed on a new feature on Mark's website.

Heathcote & Ross

2012-01-07T19:27:00.001Z

My brother and I just went to the allotment for an afternoon of digging, levelling and covering up the beds for winter. We picked the last of the sprouts and beetroots and back home we celebrated with a bit of cheese and wine. Mike's been a lover of good wine and food as long as I can remember, and has now set up a venture with his good friend Rob to do wine tastings in London, after they both scored very highly on their recent sommelier diplomas. Well, I have to admit I have had most of the best wines I've ever tasted whilst at his place, so if you're interested in all things vinocultural, you can have a look here.

Bird School Shamanism

2012-01-06T16:47:00.003Z

One of my dearest and oldest friends Gemma Williams has put a website together for her work here. She has more heart, integrity and joi de vivre than almost anyone I know. I was doing music with her in 2010, which was great. Her music sites can be found here and here. I will add a link in the main sidebar on this page for her shamanic work, which I can personally recommend.

Stephen K Amos

2012-01-06T09:47:00.001Z

Just listening to Radio 4 where the award winning comedian is describing his 1980's childhood paper round down the road I used to live in, in fact it seems he lived right opposite me... Nice to hear Balham on the radio. Yesterday featured Knockando and its mill (no mention of its fine whisky, however). I'm having an audio tour of my old haunts.

generosity

2012-01-05T16:13:00.004Z

My neighbour has trimmed the tree that overshadows my garden, whilst he decides whether to get it pollarded or cut down professionally (it's a self-sown ash tree, there are lots in the neighbourhood, and it would be replaced with a fruiting tree...). I just went outside to pick rocket, chard and leeks for dinner, and found that he had left me this neat little row of mini logs, the perfect size for my wood burner. Ash wood burns even when green, and is a lovely clean hot fuel when well-seasoned. I stacked it in the shed, which has made me realise the shed really needs sorting out...

local swans

2012-01-04T16:51:00.000Z

Saw the youngster (left) flying with his parents for the first time this week, wonderful. I've known this couple for over a year, and they introduced their cygnet this May.

Freshly picked bay leaves

2012-01-04T16:47:00.003Z

2012-01-04T13:27:00.005Z

Nothing is lost, everything is transformed.
- Antoine Lavoisier

Secret Knowledge

2011-12-30T22:41:00.001Z

I have just spent three days reading and enjoying David Hockney's 'Secret Knowledge' (2006 expanded edition, isbn 0-500-28638-8). In a year of reading wonderful books, this has sprinted forward at the end and is my book of the year! If you have even a passing interest in painting, art, film, European history, the visual world, science, a gripping yarn, mysteries, magic, secrecy, friendship or the knowing that comes from the heart of practice- whether that be looking, drawing, movement or another rich human endeavor, then order this book from your library and tuck in. What a wonderful book. This morning I made an amazing, painterly, living projection using a shaving mirror and a darkened room! If you want to know what on earth I am talking about, get the book! More info, film clips, article and photos here. I shall be happy to provide a good bottle of wine and share a lovely evening of discussion with anyone who knows me who finishes it and has thoughts about it. Over the next few weeks I will reflect on this in the light of Iain McGilchrist's work, and in relation to my visual and T'ai Chi trainings, which I find inform each other beneficially more and more as I get older. Happy New Year!

Power training

2011-12-28T16:56:00.001Z

Thanks to Janet for hosting a lovely bit of Power practice at her place just now, the coffee and muffins really helped too. Six of us got together for a couple of hours work. I was a bit late but managed to have a go with everyone. We will do that again soon.

Web issues - sorted

2011-12-26T10:49:00.002Z

Hope all had a lovely Christmas Day. I am keeping a low profile today... Meanwhile, greatrivertaichi.co.uk was down for a while. Now it's back up, I had to pay the host server, and the invoice had gone to a long defunct email address... All sorted now, by a friendly efficient guy called Seb at the end of the phone line. Now I have no qualms in recommending Hostroute.com as a web host - best customer service experience this year!

2011-12-24T16:09:00.001Z

The Christmas cake is freshly iced with an experimental chocolate covering... Time to bake courgette bread and listen to carols on the radio. I wish all who read this a peaceful and loving Christmas.

2011-12-23T11:30:00.000Z

Stewart Lee will be guest editor of the Today programme on R4 on 31st December.

Last calendars

2011-12-23T11:07:00.003Z

The last calendars have arrived for Michael P, Megan, Rosemary, Colin and Peter W. If you read this and want me to send them to you, rather than wait until the start of term at class, then drop me an email with your address.

Aberdeenshire email addresses

2011-12-21T18:02:00.002Z

If any Aberdeenshire long term Great River students did not receive an email today from me re the New Year, do get in touch, as it means I don't have a current email address for you. When you email me, put 'taichi' in the subject line, so it avoids the junk folder! Thanks.

Leonardo Da Vinci

2011-12-21T16:54:00.003Z

Mark put me on to these wonderful programmes on iplayer, featuring Mark Rylance as Da Vinci.

Midwinter

2011-12-21T10:45:00.002Z

Midwinter Solstice takes place tomorrow 22nd december at 5.30am. Hang on 'til then...

Well Being

2011-12-20T19:12:00.001Z

Well being for sale on aisle 13, (half the aisle is pot noodles, the rest is soup and foods that are free from certain ingredients). Who knew it was that easy? I shall give up this strange T'ai Chi immediately and become a dedicated well-being shopper.

2011-12-20T19:08:00.003Z

Sadly, Russell Hoban, author of one of my all-time favourite books 'Riddley Walker' has died.

2011-12-17T11:13:00.001Z

Having an English music day (Robert Wyatt, Thomas Tallis, PJ Harvey, Brian Eno and Sandy Denny lined up so far) day in honour of the incredible 'Jerusalem' that I saw last night at the Apollo theatre. Utterly moving, hilarious, tragic and as good as all the reviews say.

I smash up the telly with the remains of the telephone...
(Rock Bottom)

2011-12-16T09:39:00.001Z

Last classes of term are over, but I am teaching 121s over the break, so do get in touch if you'd like one. Thanks to all the Great River folks for their great work this year.

It's snowing, sleety, wet, flakes in Tooting.

Ta Lu video

2011-12-15T13:49:00.000Z

I filmed a few times round the solo form of the Ta Lu (simplified, right side) for a student this morning, using my iphone, and have emailed it along with a simple descriptive posture list for it to all instructors and Hackney students. If anyone else would like it for their own reference or private study, please get in touch.

Thursday Long Form 15th December

2011-12-14T16:34:00.003Z

The last Thursday session of 2011 is on the 15th and we will be at Wyness Hall.
We'll see what the new layout is like before deciding if we need to find an alternative venue for 2012.

Informal practice sessions will be available at Balvack over the holiday period for both Short and Long Form students. Probably Thursdays and Sundays, but not the 25th December.
Please get in touch with Davina or Paolo if you're interested in coming along.

Calendars - last order

2011-12-14T15:14:00.001Z

Tomorrow I will order extra calendars, so let me know if you need one.

Hackney class tonight

2011-12-14T11:10:00.002Z

...will be the last of term. Tea will be earlier so all students can meet up.

Tomorrow will be Mark's last class of term.

Turriff term dates

2011-12-12T14:54:00.001Z

Tonight is the last week of term at the Gateway Centre.
The next term will run for 10 weeks from 16th January to 26th March, except 30th January.

Old friends

2011-12-11T13:47:00.001Z

Those of you who studied with me at Drumblair Lodge may remember the delightful young WWOOFers Chiara and Ryoko, who also came along to T'ai Chi whilst they stayed. Both blossomed amazingly on the mix of T'ai Chi, gardening, living in a household where folks were coming and going at all hours, doing music, and studying at Findhorn, or heading off down the beach... It was a great pleasure to be part of their lives and we have stayed in contact since, by email and post cards mainly. Ryoko has just been in touch, the first time I have heard from her since the Tsunami, and sounds really well and fine. Chiara is stopping over in London for 8 hours on her way to Thailand, the day after my birthday, so we will meet up and speak our best Franglais over a meal or coffee. Chiara built her own hut in the woods in France and has been all round Europe clowning and being part of direct action groups. At one point she had a mule and a caravan cart too. I can't wait to catch up with what she's doing now.

Philip K Dick

2011-12-11T13:17:00.001Z

I just listened to this radio programme in R4's Great Lives series, where the excellent actor Michael Sheen put forward the life of Philip K Dick. As a big J G Ballard fan, and lover of good SF film and books, it is only lack of time that has meant I have not yet read any of Dick's work. I shall be logging on to my library loans page in a moment and queueing up a few to read over the Winter. Please do email me if you have one to particularly recommend. Also, Micheal Sheen comes across as possibly the most intelligent, interested, insightful actor I have ever heard interviewed, what a pleasant surprise. Thanks to Paolo and Davina for this link, and for the other links too to other great radio shows on iplayer.

Philip K Dick

Staff

2011-12-11T12:28:00.001Z

Staff practice gives you wings.

Thanks to all who came along for a really fun session, and to Mark for his great teaching. Next session will be on Sunday 12th February.

London term dates

2011-12-10T11:10:00.001Z

Great River 2012 (inclusive) term dates are:
11 January - 28 March,
18 April - 11 July,
(last 3 of these dates may be outdoors or elsewhere due to Hackney Schools Music Festival TBC),
5 September - 12 December

The T'ai Chi Centre dates are:
9 January - 29 March,
16 April - 12 July,
Weeklong Intensive 14th - 20 July (TaLu 13th),
3 September - 13 December.

Bags for weapons, etc

2011-12-10T11:09:00.001Z

I now have my sewing machine back from its service and can finally make the sabre bags and other things that folks wanted. I will bring them to class first week of term. Sorry for the delay (especially to Ean). Let me know if you'd like any bags making.

Staff study today

2011-12-10T09:17:00.001Z

...1-4pm usual venue. All welcome.

Good technology

2011-12-09T12:54:00.001Z

I am very pleased with the new service Countdown from TfL that tells you when buses will arrive at a bus stop. You type in a five figure code (all London bus stops now have them) and either text the number to Tfl or on a smartphone, just type it into the app, and a list of bus numbers and waiting times comes up, the accuracy is excellent. I can now shelter in shops, or wait in my lounge in the warm, rather than shiver throughout the Winter cursing at missing the bus. As I don't drive, and spend a large amount of time on public transport, this is a really lovely simple tech-based improvement to my quality of life.

Art materials

2011-12-09T12:53:00.001Z

Just discovered these folks: Jackson's and am keen to start painting again.

Staff dates

2011-12-09T10:35:00.001Z

St Mary Magdalene church hall, Trinity Road, 1-4pm, £15. All welcome.
Saturday 10th December 2011 (tomorrow)
Sunday 12th February 2012

London Sword and Sabre study 2012

2011-12-09T10:24:00.001Z

Here are the dates for Sword and Sabre study groups in London for 2012. Mostly the dates are held on the first week of the month which includes both a Tuesday and a Thursday, but some months are adjusted to avoid public holidays or delay a week when coming back from Christmas or Summer breaks. All Sabre sessions are 6.30pm Tuesdays and Sword 6.30pm Thursdays, at the usual venues, for 1 1/4 hrs, cost £5.
January 17 + 19
February 7 + 9
March 6 + 8
April 17+ 19
May 1 + 3
June 12 + 14
July 3 + 5
September 11 + 13
October 2 + 4
November 6 + 8
December 4 + 6

Sword study group

2011-12-08T16:22:00.001Z

...is tonight at the regular Derinton Rd class venue from 6.30-7.45pm, fee £5. Beginners and non-sword students are still welcome from 6.30pm for push hands and partnerwork. Class continues as normal from 7.45pm.

May be no session tonight

2011-12-08T16:06:00.003Z

There's currently a power cut affecting Balvack . There's not yet an estimated time for when it will be back on so if you were intending coming tonight please phone the house or my mobile first to check as we have no email / internet access.

Weather

2011-12-08T15:59:00.001Z

Just read on BBC online news how bad the winds are in Scotland. I hope all the Aberdeenshire crew are ok and still have power.

Kuti

2011-12-08T12:36:00.001Z

I have just booked to go here for a week to ease myself mindfully into life after 40... I found this centre at the excellent Good Retreat Guide which is the online version of a book I first bought about 20 years ago. The River Dart is nearby, which we visited during the Iain McGilchrist workshop Davina and I attended earlier this year. I intend to spend a couple of nights in Totnes afterwards, as I have passed through but never sampled its organic cakes and alternative bookshops. It may even have alternative cakes and organic bookshops. I had planned a big walk round the UK in a figure of eight from the West side of Hadrian's Wall, but funds and time do not allow, so maybe I'll do that for my 50th, and hike with my sister too. David will take the Hackney class on February 8th 2012.

Thursday Long Form 8th December

2011-12-07T13:50:00.002Z

It looks like that the work in the Wyness Hall will not be completed by tomorrow so we'll have this week's Thursday session at Balvack again.

Wednesday's Short Form class will be at Inverurie Town Hall 7-8:30pm. Contact Paolo for more details.

Ceilidh at Chats Palace

2011-12-07T11:41:00.001Z

I just got this from Wayne: I'd really like to go, get in touch and maybe we can make a posse for a bit of a dance night... What a great flyer too!

The Muckers are playing a public Christmas, pre-Soltice, Ceilidh with a great caller, dancing and very Special Guests, to raise funds for Chats Palace Comunity Centre on Chatsworth Road Hackney.
Its on Wednesday 21st December, full details on the flyer.
A great chance for a rare public ceilidh/knees-up to the Muckers and to express support for Chats.

Tickets are going fast so its best to book in advance (£5.00 only) from the Chats Palace website / wegottickets:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/146414
http://www.chatspalace.co.uk/
Chats Palace community centre has a special place in the hearts of many Mucker's members, friends, children even, who remember gigs, pantos, workshops, carnivals, creches, and local community events going back decades.

The splendid building was purpose built in 1912-13 by Edwin Cooper,as a Carnegie "library for the betterment of the people of the East End".
The Council closed the library in 1977 but the building was reclaimed by members of the local community.

Culture buzzard

2011-12-07T11:30:00.001Z

I have just booked tickets for Dr Dee at ENO next year. After the amazing reviews of Damon Albarn's production for the Manchester International Festival this year, I have been waiting to book for the London run. I am also hoping to see Mark Rylance at The Globe for Twelth Night and Richard III. Despite the high cost of tickets, I have not regretted one of the productions I have seen since returning to London. I'd rather save up and forego coffees, snacks whilst out, (and let's face it, any new clothes apart from T'ai Chi gear and socks) and attend incredible events that stay with me for ever. This year Steve Reich was a real highlight at the Barbican, and in two weeks time it's Mark Rylance in Jerusalem. I am very excited...

Beer Festival - No HRC tonight

2011-12-07T10:54:00.001Z

No Hackney class tonight due to a CAMRA Pig's Ear beer and cider festival. There are worse things to be bumped out of the hall for...
See you next week for the last class of term. Bring mince pies or something to share, and we'll have tea at 8.15pm so the beginners and seniors can mingle.

It's Got Bells On

2011-12-06T17:40:00.001Z

Comedian Stewart Lee explores and celebrates, rather than mocks, the morris and other traditional English dances.

BBC Radio 2 Monday 12th December 10.00 -11.00pm
'Strictly'; 'Britain's Got Talent'; 'So You Think You Can Dance'... there is extraordinary enthusiasm for dance in many forms. But there's one dance that never gets featured, and its England's own - the morris.
Stewart Lee puts this to rights in 'It's Got Bells On' and the usual scornful jibes won't appear because, although he's a comedian, Stewart is an enthusiast for English traditional music and dance. This is the stand-up who had the Black Swan Rappers (dancers not MCs) open for him at a gig in Yorkshire, and the Forest of Dean Morris Men at his wedding reception.

A couple of years back even The Morris Ring said the tradition would have come to an end in 20 years because no young people were joining. But Stewart discovers that the best young folk musicians, such as Jim Moray and Laurel Swift all dance and all develop the form, that hip hop and morris merge in the work of The Demon Barbers and that contemporary choreographers are turning to the tradition. When danced by athletic young men, or women such as the Belles of London City (in their corsets) the morris becomes as sexy as salsa, as fearsome as flamenco.

Stewart hears from Ashley Hutchings and John Kirkpatrick, who gave a boost to the revival in the 1970s with classic albums 'Morris On' and 'Battle of the Field', when morris went electric. He also hears from Tim Plester, whose film 'The Way of the Morris' tells the story of the Adderbury side, all but one of whom were killed in the First World War, and how the tradition was revived in the village.

There is lots of fantastic music, including some from William Kimber, from whom Cecil Sharp collected his first morris tunes in 1899. All this, and a quick glance at rapper and clog dancing, too.
"5,000 morris dancers," quipped Sebastian Coe, when he was asked what the British would do to match the opening of the Beijing Olympics. In 'It's Got Bells On' Stewart Lee takes the idea seriously: 5,000 morris dancers; why not; what could be better?

Calendars - update

2011-12-06T12:10:00.000Z

Calendars have arrived, I'll be bringing them to class tonight. Prices are be £5 for a desk calendar and £8 for a wall calendar, let me know if you'd like one. I have ordered 10 of each to start with and will be sending them to those who have ordered them tomorrow.

They feature all usual public holidays, as well as workshop dates in London and Aberdeenshire and any other T'ai Chi dates already confirmed. The wall calendar has plenty of room to write in appointments.

2011-12-05T19:11:00.001Z

This week weapons study takes place at Mark's classes: Sabre at 6.30pm tomorrow, Tuesday, and Sword at 7.30pm on Thursday. The dates for January's sessions will be announced tomorrow at class and I will blog them as soon as I know them.

Just home from a great weekend's T'ai Chi in Aberdeenshire. Thanks to all who came. I'm going to take it easy tonight...

December T'ai Chi

2011-12-02T10:29:00.001Z

I'll be heading off to Scotland in a couple of hours to teach the weekend workshops. I am looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it along. There are two more weeks of T'ai Chi in London at Mark's classes and mine, except Hackney is not on next week due to the hall being full of a beer festival. We return for one night on 14th then break for Christmas and New Year. Great River and The T'ai Chi Centre classes resume on the week of 9th January. I will be available for 121s over the break.

Power Training London and Aberdeenshire

2011-12-01T14:02:00.001Z

This Sunday sees Power group B meet at 3pm at Mark's Group B are: Carmen,Colin, Duncan, Marli, Gabriele, Monica, Rosemary, Becky.

I will be doing a bit of 'Press' with the Aberdeenshire group on Sunday afternoon and evening.