Taichiaberdeenshire's Blog

Classes, Spring 2012

taichiaberdeenshire — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:33:53 +0000

Taiji

Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory:

Mondays 9th January to 26th March

Short Form and Qigong: 9.30 – 11.00 am.

Banchory Town Hall: Mondays 9th January to 26th March

Long Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Tuesdays 10th January to 27th March

Long Form: 9.30 – 11.00am

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Wednesdays 11th January to 28th March **

Short Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

**no class 14th March.

Qigong

Banchory Lesser Town Hall: Thursdays 12th January to 29th March

Open Class: 9.30 - 10.30am

Wudang Shan in Autumn : Climbing the 20,000steps.

taichiaberdeenshire — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:15:01 +0000

This was my 3^rd trip to China, previously I had visited the usual cultural sites in and around Beijing. I had also travelled further afield by night train to Xian to see the terracotta warriors, to Zheng Zhou (Henan Province) visiting Shaolin Temple, Buddhist monastery famous for its association with Shaolin kung fu and Chen village, home of Chen style tai chi and where Yang Lu Chan founder of Yang style tai chi is said to have trained. But it was Wudang and the tai chi practiced there that captivated me, I felt that I had experienced something fundamental and profound – I had returned to the source of it all.

On this occasion I returned to continue training with Chen Li sheng a 15th generation Master of Wudang Quan. He has studied Wudang martial arts and Daoist health cultivation for a long time, his teaching is of the highest level and he is highly regarded both in China and Europe.

The Wudang Mountains are a small mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei Province, south of the city of Shiyan. It is the Peak ‘Wudang shan’ that is the most famous, during the Ming dynasty (1388 – 1644) Daoism flourished, many temples and monasteries, including the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple and Purple Cloud Temple were constructed. Around this time the legendary Daoist sage, Chang San-feng retreated to Wudang shan where he formed his exercises into Tai Chi after watching a snake and bird fighting.

The Ming dynasty was a period of great social and political achievement, scientific progress and intellectual thinking. Chinese Daoism with its roots in shamanism moved towards more esoteric internal practices and the development of internal Kung fu. The monasteries became academic centres for the teaching and practice of meditation, martial arts and traditional Chinese Medicine. Evidence of the presence of Daoism in these mountains goes back approximately 2000years, the Five Dragon Temple complex dates back to the 7^th Century and is currently undergoing restoration. I was able to visit this special place, although officially it is not open to the public yet! It is said that of all the temples on the mountain, this has the best Feng Shui. Some monasteries were damaged during the Cultural Revolution but since the opening up of China the area has become an extremely popular centre for tourism. Because of its scenary, historical and cultural significance Wudang became a World Heritage Site in 1994.

So what is it about Wudang that makes me want to return year after year and climb the ‘20,000 steps’ to the top. Despite the increasing commercialisation this place is one of the most spiritual that I have ever visited. Life on the mountain is easy to regard with cynicism, it is so alien to our own ways and customs but it made me stop and think – re-evaluate my own life – where was I going and what was I doing?

The principles and philosophy underpinning Tai Chi owe much to Daoism, the belief in living a simple life in harmony with the universe may appear naive in our world of change and uncertainity. But learning to go with the flow, understanding that change is inevitable and to make the best of it, instead of becoming ‘stressed out’ is a useful survival skill. Regular Tai Chi practice encourages the body to become stronger and more relaxed, more able to combat aches and pains and defend itself from infection & disease. Proper execution of the postures requires focus of mind and body as one allowing flow, clarity and balance to emerge this is meditation in movement. Getting in touch with the body, learning how to focus our minds and tuning in to our energy or chi are highly beneficial as is simply slowing down.

Wishing you peace, joy, health and happiness for the coming year.

Classes start again on Monday 9th January : New students welcome

Classes, Autumn 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:02:36 +0000

Taiji

Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory: Mondays 29th August to 28th November**

Short Form and Qigong: 9.30 – 11.00 am.

Banchory Town Hall: Mondays 29th August to 28th November**

Long Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

** no classes 10th and 17th October.

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Tuesdays 30th August to 29th November**

Long Form: 9.30 – 11.00am

Orchard House, Banchory: Tuesdays 30th August to 29th November**

Short Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

** no classes 11th and 18th October

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Wednesdays 31st August to 30th November **

Short Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

** no classes 12th and 19th October

Qigong

Banchory Lesser Town Hall: Thursdays 1st September to 1st December**

Open Class: 9.30 - 10.30am

** no classes 13th and 20th October.

Summer 2011 Programme: Taiji and Qigong Workshops

taichiaberdeenshire — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:01:43 +0000

‘Qigong for the Respiratory System’ – Daoyin Yangsheng Gong at Orchard House, Ramsay Road, Banchory on Sunday 19th June, 9.30am- 4.30pm.

This is the next workshop in our series of Chinese health preservation exercises. Please bring your own lunch and a blanket. Teas, coffees and biscuits provided free.

Pre-booking is essential and a deposit of £20 is required by Monday 6th June for the Qigong day, balance of £40 payable on the day. ( cheques payable to Jane Innes please).

Simplified 24 Step Taijiquan - Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August, 10.00am – 4.00pm at Orchard House, Ramsay Road, Banchory.

Throughout these two teaching days with Tina you will receive detailed instruction and have plenty of time to practice and develop your Form. You will require your indoor taiji shoes, a blanket and lunch. Teas, coffees and biscuits will be provided.

The Taiji weekend course costs £100 for existing students and £120 for new-comers. Pre-booking is essential and a deposit of £40 is required by Monday 4th July, remaining balance payable on the day. ( cheques payable to Jane Innes please).

Book now to reserve a place on these workshops : contact ruyischool@gmail.com or phone Jane on 01330 822608

China Trip 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:23:15 +0000

Current plan is to travel to China 8th and return 22nd Oct. We should
arrive in Wudang on the 10th and then train with Master Chen, do the usual
cultural visits, and catch the train to Beijing on the 18th which give us a
couple of days to chill-out in Beijing (see if we can find another bit of
uninhabited Great Wall to climb).

Do not have the final costs yet but it is expected to be £2000. The price
includes all flights and train journeys in China, group training with Master
Chen, and accommodation. Food and sight-seeing in Wudang is included but in
Beijing you are left to do your own thing at your own expense (we can arrange
sight-seeing trips in and around Beijing for you)

Many people have expressed interest in the trip but it is now
Hand-on-Wallet time and those who are still wanting to come need to send a £250
deposit ASAP.

If you are a current student of mine and interested in this training trip to China then please contact me for further details.

Workshop ‘Qigong for the Cardio-vascular System’ Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Sunday 8th May 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:23:14 +0000

Tina and Jane are running regular workshops in Banchory teaching the Daoyin Yangsheng Gong qigong exercises, our next workshop is on Sunday 8th May, 9.30am – 4.30pm at Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory South and we will be teaching the ‘heart form’, the set consists of 8 exercises combining breath and movement with automassage.

This Qigong system developed by Professor Zhang Guangde and regularily updated, follows the holistic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine ( the theory of diagnosis and treatment based on differential analysis of signs and symptoms, the ancient theories of Yin and Yang, the five evolutive phases, energy circulation through the channels or meridians) and the etiology and pathology of diseases from related studies of modern medicine.

I can guarantee that the teaching is very thorough and of a high standard, also with two instructors it is possible to accommodate varying abilities such as teaching a seated version of the exercises. We have regular breaks throughout the day so that people don’t become overtired and have time to consolidate what they have learnt. We ask you to bring a packed lunch if you wish to stay at the centre with us or there is an option to visit Woodend Barn nearby and enjoy a lovely light lunch in beautiful surroundings over looking the Dee Valley.

Book now to reserve a place: contact ruyischool@gmail.com or phone Jane on 01330 822608

£60 fee payable on the day (cheques made out to Jane Innes please)

Bring a blanket in addition to usual comfortable clothing and footwear.

Classes, Summer 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:32:06 +0000

Taiji

Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory:

Mondays 18th April to 4th July

Short Form and Qigong: 9.30 – 11.00 am.

Banchory Town Hall: Mondays 18th April to 4th July**

Long Form: 6.30 – 7.45pm

Short Form: 7.30 – 9.00pm

** no class 2nd May.

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Tuesdays 19th April to 5th July

Long Form: 9.30 – 11.00am

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Wednesdays 20th April to 6th July **

Short Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

**11th May, 8th June, 6th July – classes to be held in the Sea Cadets Hall.

Qigong

Banchory Lesser Town Hall: Thursdays 21st April to 7th July**

Open Class: 9.30 - 10.30am

**no class 5th May.

Workshop ‘Managing Stress with Qigong’ Sunday 27th February 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:54:46 +0000

Following the success of the ‘Stress Relief’ workshop in August 2010. we are now offering a second workshop to teach the ‘Stress Prevention’ exercises so completing the programme.

Although these gentler exercises are designed to follow the ‘Stress Relief’ movements, you can benefit from them on their own as they calm the mind and body and can make you feel a whole lot better.

If you would like to attend the workshop on Sunday 27th February from 9.30am – 4.30pm in Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory South, please contact either Tina (o1561 360091) 0r Jane (01330 822608).

Pre-booking is essential and a deposit of £20 is required by Monday 21st February, balance of £40 payable on the day. ( cheques payable to Jane Innes please).

Classes, Spring 2011

taichiaberdeenshire — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:30:17 +0000

Taiji

Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory:

Mondays 10th January to 28th March

Short Form and Qigong: 9.30 – 11.00 am.

Banchory Town Hall: Mondays 10th January to 28th March

Long Form: 6.30 – 7.45pm

Short Form: 7.30 – 9.00pm

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Tuesdays 11th January to 29th March

Long Form: 9.30 – 11.00am

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Wednesdays 12th January to 30th March **

Short Form: 6.30 – 8.00pm

**no class 9th March.

Qigong

Banchory Lesser Town Hall: Thursdays 13th January to 31st March

Open Class: 9.30 - 10.30am

Classes, Autumn 2010

taichiaberdeenshire — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:15:37 +0000

Taiji

Deeside Dance Centre, Hill of Banchory:

Mondays 23 August to 29 November**

Short Form and Qigong: 10.30 – 12.00 noon.

**no classes 11th, 18th October (holiday)

Banchory Town Hall: Mondays 23 August to 6th December**

Long Form: 6.30 – 7.45pm

Short Form Beginners: 7.45 – 9.00pm

** no classes 4th, 11th, 18th October (holiday) and 29th November

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Tuesdays 24th August to 30th November**

Long Form: 9.30 – 11.00am

** no classes 5th, 12th, 19th October (holiday)

Stonehaven Upper Town Hall: Wednesdays 25th August to 22nd December **

Short Form Beginners: 6.30 – 8.00pm

**no classes 8th September, 3rd & 10th November, 15th December : also 6th, 13th, 20th October (holiday)

Qigong

Banchory Lesser Town Hall: Thursdays 26th August to 2nd December**

Open Class: 9.30 - 10.30am

**no classes 7th, 14th, 21st October (holiday)