Partner-work explains the differing uses of the torso and limbs – i.e. the ‘units’ of attack/defence: 1) the body, 2) the shoulders, 3) the

What’s the point of 2-person taiji work? 1) To understand our own stability is obvious when we’re standing on one leg, it’s simply a case of

Tai chi is about change and adaptability; this is not obvious when doing solo tai chi, but when you work with a partner, you become very ...

We are taught that tai chi should be comfortable and relaxed, but when we do tai chi alone, our preconceptions of what it feels like to ...

Two-person exercises cause a problem for many tai chi practitioners. Some don’t like touching other people, some get frustrated because the

From a standing position: 1) Suck in your abdominal muscles, (thereby connecting the upper thigh to the torso). 2) When you can, draw...

Focus of the eyes. The eyes signify the intention (Yi) of a movement.  During the postures, focus wherever your intention is; the eyes ...

Balancing the body When performing tai chi and qigong, you need to organise your body so that it feels as though all aspects of the body...

I don’t expect people to practise the material we cover in the classes, but when they do, it’s a huge bonus. When they practise, progression

I first started teaching tai chi & qigong in about 1990.  Back then, not so many people knew what tai chi was, and even fewer knew anything

I’ve often noticed when teaching the Yang 24 that balance in certain movements often causes a problem for students – incidentally, this isn’

Sinking to Move (1) was about sinking the qi from the waist downwards. Sinking to Move (2) is about connecting the upper body to the lower

Often in both tai chi and qigong it is necessary to ‘grip the floor’ – part of rooting and making the body more stable. This is particularl

‘The word Peng’ (pron. ‘pung’ as in ‘sprung’) is used in a general way to explain the feeling of expansion/protection of the body as though

The classics say: “Head upright to let the shen [spirit of vitality] rise to the top of the head. Don’t use Li [external strength], or ...

‘Balance’ in taiji One of the aspect of taiji is to allow ‘freedom of movement’, so that the body never inhibits itself. ‘Freedom of move...

In order to be able to move with ease, it is necessary to relax just prior to the movement. Ideally you are looking for body movement to ...

When you are standing with one leg in front of you and the other behind (i.e. in an Empty stance) and, using only your chest, you push somet

‘Open’ (Kai, pron. ‘Kigh’, as in ‘High‘) & ‘Close’ (He, pron. as in Her) is one of the keystones to the internal aspect of taiji...

When going for a lesson with my tai chi teacher, it always intrigues me that, when she’s trying to explain a new concept to me, it almost...