Let us consider that there are two ways our body may be moved:

– by ourselves using muscles, tendons etc this may be called active or “hard” movement ( since we actively carry it out and our muscles become hard when they contract).

– and movement by outside forces like gravity or training partners, while we are relaxed,  this may be referred to as passive since it is something done to us.

If we combine these two then we see the possibilities of Tai Chi  – this is often referred to as ” internal power” and therefore called an internal art since we are internally regulating the balance between the two types of movement. In order to do this we refer to the Tai Chi principles of relaxation, central control and body connection.

I am looking forward to returning next week on Thursday 23rd Feb to the beautiful surroundings of the Swiss Garden at Shuttleworth where we are now practicing each month – beginners are very welcome – please see here for the events booking.

The class runs from 10.30 to 11.30 am on the lawn by the Swiss Cottage – or in the Garden Room if the weather is too wet. We start with some loosening movement and simple pattern exercises then go on to the Tai Chi form which the class is picking up a little at a time.

Our annual Tai Chi Festival – held on World Tai Chi and Chi Kung Day – is always on the last Saturday of April – so in 2023 it will be on 29th April from 10.00 to 4.00pm at the Shefford Community Hall, just off the High Street next to the chip shop at SG17 5AX.

This is our 6th year and we are delighted to again invite local martial arts and alternative therapy practitioners for demonstrations, sample treatments and simply for a chat with visitors ( there is no charge to participate and entry is free of charge). If you are a local group that would fit within the alternative health and martial arts description and would like to do a demonstration, please contact Ian.

Please note that students for the Wednesday class at the Weatherley Centre should enter by the side fire door no earlier than 2.00pm

I have just listened to this on BBC Sounds – an excellent piece endorsing Tai Chi for balance, heart health and brain health. Well worth a quick listen!

This year I thought I would open the invitation process a little wider to other local martial arts and alternative therapy groups. If you would like to demonstrate and meet local people who may be interested in your activity then please contact me. There is no charge to participate or to visitors who come to watch.

I will consider anything that comes under the broadly martial arts or alternative therapy banner – participants will get a defined slot to demonstrate, offer a taster or present a talk on their favorite subject.

Shefford Tai Chi is to hold an open day with free taster classes and the opportunity to talk to their instructor – Ian Deavin.

Taster classes will be held throughout the day alongside a variety of other related activities such as Jujitsu, massage etc. So if you are interested in Tai Chi or other martial arts and alternative therapies it will be worth visiting the Community Hall on the last Saturday in April.

The World Health Organisation has designated this as World Tai Chi and Chi Kung day when groups all around the world come together to jointly participate in these beneficial approaches to “looking after yourself”.

I couldn’t get a pic yesterday – so here is one I prepared earlier!

We had a great day yesterday with the first of our weekly drop-in Tai Chi classes at the Weatherley Centre in Biggleswade where some lovely people turned up for a busy introductory session. The class covered some history while doing simple exercises to loosen us all up, followed by the first two postures of the Laojia form. Actually that is quite a bit of information for a first time so many of them videoed a demonstration to follow during the week – very sensible.