Silence

Last night Radio 3 broadcast a programme by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the spiritual qualities and significance in human life of silence.

At one point he asks the percussionist Evelyn Glennie a question along the lines: is part of the cultural problem that people are pre-occupied with their own bodies, but not attending to them?

Her answer "... Martial Arts is perhaps one of the most important tools that we can explore .... to listen to the body, to be aware of space and time and pace .... our instrument is the human body."
And a little later "... be aware of what the body is about and then anything is achievable"

You can get the whole programme here on listen-again until 10:27pm GMT Sunday 1st March 2009.

Tonight's Hackney Class

...will be taken by my teacher Mark Raudva. Once a year I invite him along to see how you're all coming along, and to give some detailed instruction for the sabreurs. See you tonight.

Weapons Days

The first 'official' weapons training day was a great success with 24 students learning sword, sabre and staff. If you'd like to come along do get in touch as you may need to have a short 121 session first to learn the basics. The monthly sessions will be progressive, learning new postures of the forms as well as working with a partner.

Aberdeenshire weekend workshops with Mark

The next weekend workshops from 27th February until 1st March will be held at Fetternear Hall and will run as follows.
Friday 7-10pm: Talu and stepping partner work
Saturday 2-5pm: Short Form and associated partner work (beginners welcome)
Saturday 7-10pm: Weapons (sabre, sword, staff)
Sunday 2-5pm: Long Form
Sunday 7-10pm: Partner work of all kinds

All sessions cost £15 / £10 concs.

This is not fixed in stone, however, so if you need me to rearrange anything so that you can attend, let me know. Please let any of your beginner students know that they are most welcome on Saturday afternoon. I will sew some more simple weapons bags and bring them along. Let's bring some food to share on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons between sessions.

"If people want sacred experiences they'll find them here. If they want profane experiences they'll find them too. I take no sides."
Mark Rothko

I went to the Tate to see the recent wonderfully moving show of Seagram murals by Rothko. This quote of his was on the wall outside the galleries.

Winter

It's good to know that the world of T'ai Chi goes on elsewhere, but not up here in the frozen wastes of North Aberdeenshire where I've had to cancel all my classes since last Wednesday.

But at least I can do my own practice here.

Thursday Long Form class 12 & 19 Feb

Long Form class on 12th February is in the Friendship Room, Kemnay Hall and on the 19th we're at Monymusk, in the room to left of the main hall. We're back at the Masonic Hall from the 26th.

Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Screenings

Ace stand up Stewart Lee's new BBC TV show is being screened in London in late February. If you'd like free tickets, go here: http://www.sroaudiences.com I'll be going on 23rd, I hope.

Man's humanity to koala

Nothing to do with T'ai Chi (or is it?) but my cousins in Melbourne sent me this photo of a volunteer helping a distressed koala in a burnt out forest.

Turriff class 9th February

Turriff class is cancelled tonight due to the weather conditions. An extra week will be added to the end of term.

Travel to London

Over the next few months, if you are planning to visit London from Scotland to study with myself or Mark, do look into these travel options. The coach is very cheap but exhausting, however cheap 'bargain berths' can be found on Scotrail sleepers and also days seats are pretty cheap in advance. BA is the dearest airline, but terminal 5 makes things quicker and provides a much more enjoyable a journey. BMI are good and have handy travel times for most people, generally costing a bit less than BA. Flybe fly to Gatwick and it is easy to get trains to Clapham Junction as they go every 15 mins. there, change to platform 15 where trains go to Balham every 5 minutes. Also worth trying is Easyjet. Their times are very early morning and at dinner time, but they are super cheap. Luton is a long way away but this is actually the smoothest journey to me as there is a direct train From Luton Airport Parkway station to Tooting BR, a 15 min walk from my home. As ever, any travel queries, let me know.

Sabre practise - 7th February

The next sabre practise session is at the Masonic Hall 7-10pm Saturday 7th February. We'll also review staff exercises and the new posture of the straight sword.
Jasmine tea will be provided and we'll share the price of the hall.

Long Form class 5th February

Tonight's class at the Masonic Hall is on. The roads are a bit clearer round Inverurie, but may be icy later so please drive safely.

Cotton soled shoes

I have a spare pair of size 37 T'ai Chi slippers, only worn for 2 hours by my sister in law. However, they would actually fit someone whose feet are size 39 / UK6, as they are loose on me and I am a 5 1/2. Let me know if you'd like them, for free.

Hackney class Wednesday 4th Feb

As far as I know, the weather won't make travel too much worse tomorrow, so I plan for class to run as usual. Wrap up warm!

Snow bound

Due to snow I am caught in Scotland at least until tomorrow afternoon. Both Mark's and my London classes could be subject to change or cancellation due to the weather: best to phone before setting off.

Chinese tea cups

Paolo found this supplier of Chinese things, including the tea cups that we use for jasmine tea at class. They are half the price I pay in London, and can be sent by mail order.

http://shop.waiyeehong.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=0&keyword=tea+cup

This weekend

...was the best weekend of workshops I've had the pleasure of teaching in Aberdeenshire yet. Thanks to all the students new and old for their great energy and enthusiasm for 'cogging', form, and all manner of partnerwork. See you soon!