Get your workshops here...

My week has been busy, but full of lovely things like T'ai Chi, so no complaints, however, it's why I haven't had time to blog, which I will remedy over the next day or so.

The Usual Swordspects

Sword: Yesterday we had the first session of the senior sword group, and I finished learning the sword form postures, which was great. Thanks to Mark for a wonderful workshop. I will be focusing on teaching sword at Aberdeenshire and Hackney so that more folks are eligible to come along to the planned senior sword workshop in about 6 or 7 weeks time where we will work on applications, partnerwork and refining the postures. There will also be another sword group, for those who only recently started sword with Mark, but this is not for total beginners newly starting the form. The cost will be approximately £15-20. If you've always wanted to have a go at sword, and would like to join this group, book a 121 with Mark or myself to get started so you can join in. I will book a hall for this group for about 2 months' time, if possible, and let folks know as soon as I can. I have filmed Mark to the end of the sword form, and will Yousendit it to all studying it later today. If you don't receive it, but would like it, get in touch.
Heartwork: There will be a Heartwork session at our usual workshop hall venue on 1st April 2-5pm. This will focus on Heartwork exchanges, (partnerwork), and is open to all those who have done some of this at Mark's workshops, last year's Intensive, or with John Kells. David is cat-herding this one, so speak to him if you are interested. The cost will be approximately £15-20. This is not suitable for those who have not done Heartwork partnerwork before, as we will be jumping straight in, so to speak, so some experience is necessary. The Summer workshop will include an introduction to this for those who want to join in for future sessions.
Staff: The staff workshop last weekend was great. I will book the hall and try to get another date for about 6 week's time. anyone needing video resources, get in touch with me. The cost will be approximately £15-20.

Last night I went along with Marli and David to The 1595 for a spot of European Renaissance martial arts. It was a great session, Chris the instructor was delightful, and the 2 hours of unarmed stepping partnerwork whizzed by. I really enjoyed it and will return again in 4 weeks time after my next teaching commitments are over, as sessions are only on Saturday evenings. The principles are clear and excellent, and everything is different enough from our T'ai Chi that I feel I could safely train in this for the enjoyment of it without messing things up for myself in terms of movement, memory or risking undermining any softness I now finally have... Also a novelty, we went down the pub afterwards, which certainly seems to be a historically accurate endeavour after a spot of English pugilism.