..in Aberdeenshire with Mark Raudva begins with Ta Lu at Heather's on Friday evening and continues all week at venues near Inverurie. At least 18 of us are signed up and I am so looking forward to working with everyone. Call rather than email if you need to get hold of me.
Classes in London with both Great River and 'The T'ai Chi Centre' resume on 7th April.
26 March 2008
23 March 2008
Free Tibet March
I shall be attending this with friends coming all the way down from Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Please feel free to join us. We will be meeting in the King's Cross area and then joining the march in peaceful protest against the Chinese government's cruel treatment of Tibet (and other minority regions under its control).
From www.freetibet.org
Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay 6th April, Argyle Square, London, from 2.30pm.
The official torch relay goes through London on April 6th. This is a great opportunity to highlight the Tibetan cause as the eyes of the world turn to Beijing, and March's protests will further highlight the need to act for Tibet. Join the rally and bring your friends: this is the event at which to demonstrate your support for Tibet and get the world's media to put more pressure on China to stick to the Olympic ideals. A cultural event will take place in London on the day including speakers such as the Drapchi nuns and Lhadon Tethong.
From www.freetibet.org
Tibetan Freedom Torch Relay 6th April, Argyle Square, London, from 2.30pm.
The official torch relay goes through London on April 6th. This is a great opportunity to highlight the Tibetan cause as the eyes of the world turn to Beijing, and March's protests will further highlight the need to act for Tibet. Join the rally and bring your friends: this is the event at which to demonstrate your support for Tibet and get the world's media to put more pressure on China to stick to the Olympic ideals. A cultural event will take place in London on the day including speakers such as the Drapchi nuns and Lhadon Tethong.
21 March 2008
The Partnerwork Day planned for 12th April with my teacher Mark Raudva in London has been cancelled due to the timing of school holidays, etc as many folks who wished to attend will be away. We still have another two Partnerwork Days, see listing in previous posting below. There may well also be another Applications Day, probably on a Saturday at Derinton Road.
20 March 2008
Joppe Douwes 1970-2008
I had the great pleasure of meeting Joppe at Hannover last month and was looking forward to catching up with him again at Taichi Caledonia this summer. An acupuncturist, TCM practitioner, martial arts and T'ai Chi teacher, Joppe came across as a very open and skilful person, with a disarming manner and a good sense of humour. Over lunch one day we sat and talked about boats, archery, fine single malt whisky (of which we shared a love) and spirit (the other kind). We decided to set up a small whisky tasting next year at Hannover Push Hands Meet as it seems Nils, Henk and others shared our interest. Although I did not know him previously, I am very sad that he died so young with so much passion for life and such a great vocation. His friends, family and students must miss him greatly.
19 March 2008
Workshop Venues
The Spring Weeklong Workshop is being held in Kemnay Village Hall (Saturday & Sunday) and Fetternear Hall (Monday through Friday).
17 March 2008
Future Aberdeenshire sabre practice sessions
There will be sabre practice sessions on the following Saturdays at 7pm in the Masonic Hall, Inverurie.
22nd March, 19th April, 3rd May, 7th June, 5th July, 16th August.
22nd March, 19th April, 3rd May, 7th June, 5th July, 16th August.
16 March 2008
Nowhere Fast
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/pip/qkace/
Click the link above, get a cup of tea and relax for 1/2 hour with this Radio 4 programme that my brother heard and recommended yesterday about the fast pace of life. It features Brian Eno's Clock of the Long Now as well as the interesting news that the fast pace of modern life is mainly the Puritans' fault.
It reminded me of summer 1999 when I curated a show called 'Slow Down' in Koch Und Kesslau Gallery, Berlin, with sound art, installations, paintings and live performances over a weekend. The only way to see the art was to be there all weekend and experience it in time. Blessed with hot sunny weather and a bunch of very chilled Berlin folks I think we did succeed in slowing things down somewhat.
Click the link above, get a cup of tea and relax for 1/2 hour with this Radio 4 programme that my brother heard and recommended yesterday about the fast pace of life. It features Brian Eno's Clock of the Long Now as well as the interesting news that the fast pace of modern life is mainly the Puritans' fault.
It reminded me of summer 1999 when I curated a show called 'Slow Down' in Koch Und Kesslau Gallery, Berlin, with sound art, installations, paintings and live performances over a weekend. The only way to see the art was to be there all weekend and experience it in time. Blessed with hot sunny weather and a bunch of very chilled Berlin folks I think we did succeed in slowing things down somewhat.
13 March 2008
Aberdeenshire class this Sunday
Sunday class on 16th March will be at Paolo & Davina's.
Tea at 2, T'ai Chi at 2:30. All welcome.
Tea at 2, T'ai Chi at 2:30. All welcome.
Travelling to and from Aberdeenshire and London
Flybe airline have just taken over the Gatwick - Aberdeen route and I have booked with them for my May sessions, I will let you know if they are any good. As a few people have asked about travel, here are all my useful links.
Air: http://www.ba.com/, http://www.easyjet.com/, www.flybmi.com and http://www.flybe.com/ operate routes to Aberdeen from London.
Rail: Sleeper trains are avilable at reasonable prices at https://secure.firstscotrail-online.co.uk/_apps/users/journeys/search_journey_form.asp
Regluar daytime services can be found at http://www.thetrainline.com/
Coach: http://www.megabus.com/ and www.nationalexpress.com/
Once at Aberdeen, trains and buses run regularly to Inverurie, all local travel details can be obtained at this lo-call number: 0870 608 2608.
Air: http://www.ba.com/, http://www.easyjet.com/, www.flybmi.com and http://www.flybe.com/ operate routes to Aberdeen from London.
Rail: Sleeper trains are avilable at reasonable prices at https://secure.firstscotrail-online.co.uk/_apps/users/journeys/search_journey_form.asp
Regluar daytime services can be found at http://www.thetrainline.com/
Coach: http://www.megabus.com/ and www.nationalexpress.com/
Once at Aberdeen, trains and buses run regularly to Inverurie, all local travel details can be obtained at this lo-call number: 0870 608 2608.
12 March 2008
Absentee
I haven't blogged this last week as I have been at class, practising or teaching pretty much the whole time. When I am free I am trying to rest! Classes in London continue all next week then we are taking a break until Monday 7th April, although I will teach at home if anyone is desperate for a session...
The dances 'Uprising' and 'In Your Rooms' that I saw last week was absolutely fantastic. I feel 'Uprising' is the best bit of dance choreography I have seen; moving, full of meaning and bursting with energy. The company tour UK for the next few months, so try to catch them in Scotland or elsewhere. Go to www.hofesh.co.uk for latest details. I ended up on the same train back to London as the dancers, a great bunch of very young talented and friendly folks from all over the world.
The weeklong workshop with Mark Raudva runs from 29th March - 5th April, do come if you can.
I will post photos from my trip to the British Museum with Canadian T'ai Chi teacher Sam Masich soon, as well as pictures form the weekend workshops recently with Mark. Haven't been in the mood for PC work when I could be planting seeds for the garden.
The dances 'Uprising' and 'In Your Rooms' that I saw last week was absolutely fantastic. I feel 'Uprising' is the best bit of dance choreography I have seen; moving, full of meaning and bursting with energy. The company tour UK for the next few months, so try to catch them in Scotland or elsewhere. Go to www.hofesh.co.uk for latest details. I ended up on the same train back to London as the dancers, a great bunch of very young talented and friendly folks from all over the world.
The weeklong workshop with Mark Raudva runs from 29th March - 5th April, do come if you can.
I will post photos from my trip to the British Museum with Canadian T'ai Chi teacher Sam Masich soon, as well as pictures form the weekend workshops recently with Mark. Haven't been in the mood for PC work when I could be planting seeds for the garden.
04 March 2008
When things are heard
Mark's good student Mary just sent me this poem, which I had not seen before. Thanks Mary!
When Things Are Heard
The ear participates and helps arrange marriages
the eye has already made love with what it sees
the eye knows pleasure, delights in the body's shape
the ear hears words that talk about all this.
When hearing takes place character areas change,
but when you see, inner areas change.
If all you know about the fire is what you have heard,
see if the fire will agree to cook you!
Certain energies come only when you burn
If you long for belief sit down in the fire.
When the ear receives subtly it turns into an eye,
but if sounds do not reach the ear in the chest nothing happens
By Rumi, trans: Robert Bly.
When Things Are Heard
The ear participates and helps arrange marriages
the eye has already made love with what it sees
the eye knows pleasure, delights in the body's shape
the ear hears words that talk about all this.
When hearing takes place character areas change,
but when you see, inner areas change.
If all you know about the fire is what you have heard,
see if the fire will agree to cook you!
Certain energies come only when you burn
If you long for belief sit down in the fire.
When the ear receives subtly it turns into an eye,
but if sounds do not reach the ear in the chest nothing happens
By Rumi, trans: Robert Bly.
03 March 2008
Aberdeenshire classes, Summer term
Aberdeenshire classes in Turriff, Alford, and Inverurie finish this week. The new term will start in mid April. Total beginners and current students are all welcome.
It's been great to see new and familiar faces at the classes and Mark's workshops - everyone is doing lovely work. Many thanks to Scott for assisting with great humour at Turriff and Inverurie this term.
Turriff
Monday 7:00-8:30pm, Gateway Centre, Turriff.
Next term is 14th April to 16th June. Please call the centre on 01888 562562 to confirm price and enrol.
Alford
Tuesday 7:00-8:30pm, Hut B, Alford Community Centre (next to the Academy)
Term dates to be confirmed.
Inverurie
Wednesday 7:00-8:30pm, Inverurie Academy
Next term is 16th April to 18th June. Contact the centre on 01467 620353 to enrol.
Existing students can enrol at start of this week's class on 5th March. £50/£25.
During the break, all Great River students are welcome to an informal class each Sunday at Heather's. 2:00pm for tea, 2:30pm start ;-)
If you need directions, please email me davina [at] greatrivertaichi [dot] co [dot] uk
Or come along to some or all of the week-long workshop with Mark later this month - click here for details
It's been great to see new and familiar faces at the classes and Mark's workshops - everyone is doing lovely work. Many thanks to Scott for assisting with great humour at Turriff and Inverurie this term.
Turriff
Monday 7:00-8:30pm, Gateway Centre, Turriff.
Next term is 14th April to 16th June. Please call the centre on 01888 562562 to confirm price and enrol.
Alford
Tuesday 7:00-8:30pm, Hut B, Alford Community Centre (next to the Academy)
Term dates to be confirmed.
Inverurie
Wednesday 7:00-8:30pm, Inverurie Academy
Next term is 16th April to 18th June. Contact the centre on 01467 620353 to enrol.
Existing students can enrol at start of this week's class on 5th March. £50/£25.
During the break, all Great River students are welcome to an informal class each Sunday at Heather's. 2:00pm for tea, 2:30pm start ;-)
If you need directions, please email me davina [at] greatrivertaichi [dot] co [dot] uk
Or come along to some or all of the week-long workshop with Mark later this month - click here for details
02 March 2008
Internet problems
Due to faults with my Talktalk braodband service I will probably not have any home access to the internet all week, but will try to get to an internet cafe each day. If anything is urgent, please call my mobile, the number is available on my main website.
Ceud Mille Failte
Tae Heather fur takin us a through the Northern Sabre tae the end last nicht:
Here's tae ye,
Wha's like ye,
Damn few,
An' they're a' deid.
Ceud mille cheers tae ye Heather.
Love Ev
Here's tae ye,
Wha's like ye,
Damn few,
An' they're a' deid.
Ceud mille cheers tae ye Heather.
Love Ev
01 March 2008
Perry Bible Fellowship
First Biff (the first and greatest post-structuralist comic strip), then Perry Bible Fellowship (Skub master general) leave the Guardian, which for 10 years has been supplying me with my weekly surrealist fix. Go here and buy your Pro or Anti Skub T-shirts, as well as unicorn power merchandise, or just look at all the excellent cartoons: www.pbfcomics.com
For those who remember Biffs budding ethnomusicologists: www.biffonline.com
For those who haven't got a monkey's what I'm on about... go on click the links.
For those who remember Biffs budding ethnomusicologists: www.biffonline.com
For those who haven't got a monkey's what I'm on about... go on click the links.
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