Autumn workshop with Mark

The Autumn workshop with Mark will run at Fetternear Hall 21st - 24th October. Paolo is finalising the schedule for 121s and group sessions, so if you want to book one of those then please let him know as soon as possible.

Aberdeenshire Autumn Workshop

The Aberdeenshire Autumn workshop with Mark will be at Fetternear Hall 21st - 24th October, followed by 121s with Mark.  There will be more details nearer the time: please let Paolo know if you want to book a 121.

Dates for the summer workshop in London are expected to be confirmed soon.

one week to the workshop

The Autumn workshop with Mark will start next week, Saturday 16th October at Fetternear Hall. The details are in this post.  If you booked a 121 with Mark, but didn't get my email earlier this week with the schedule, please get in touch and I'll confirm the date/time you are booked in for.

Once I've been to the hall early next week, I'll let everyone know the practical arrangements re food etc by email and put an update on here by Wednesday. If you need any other information, please let me know and I'll do what I can to help.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and enjoying our first workshop together for two years.

Aberdeenshire Autumn Intensive

 I’m pleased to confirm the schedule for the Aberdeenshire Autumn Intensive with Mark.

The workshop will be at Fetternear Hall from Saturday 16th to Wednesday 20th October, sessions are 2-5pm and 6:30-9:30pm each day. The price is £22 per session, £12 concession. As usual, come along from the first session and then stay for as many as you like. There may be some limits on numbers of people in the kitchen etc, but I’ll advise everyone of any relevant Covid related requirements nearer the time.

There will also be a Left Side class with Mark on the evening of Thursday 21st October at Monymusk Hall. Time and price to be confirmed.

121s will be scheduled for Friday 22nd through to Sunday 24th October, and will be held at my house. Times are usually 2-4pm, 5-7pm, 8-10pm. If you’ve requested a 121, please let me know when you are/are not available and I’ll put together a timetable to suit.

If anyone needs advice or assistance with travel or accommodation, please get in touch and I'll do what I can to help.  It may be possible to stay with local students, and I also have information on local holiday accommodation.

Next week's classes

You are welcome to join us by Zoom at:

Monday 25th 7.30pm Left side with Mark

Tuesday 26th at 7.30pm Dance for London students with Mark

Wednesday 27th 9am Short Form with Caro (we are up to Iron Fan Penetrates Back)

Thursday 28th 7.30pm Long Form class with Mark

121s and group study lasses are available most days with Mark by Zoom or Skype. 

Invites were sent today, Saturday. If you haven't received your expected email invite to your regular class, or wish to be taken off the list, get in touch with Caro. If you would like to book a 121, call or text Mark. 

Last classes of term, Jan start dates and Left Side news

This week in London the last in-person class is Tuesday night at Trinity Church Hall, 7-9pm, please join us for socially distanced T'ai Chi. This class will resume, restrictions allowing, on Tuesday 5th January 2021. Hand gel is available, masks may be worn, and there is no partner work at the present. We are looking at many aspects of Long Form, Heart Work and taking questions. Class costs £15.

The last Zoom Long Form class of term is on Thursday 17th December, 7.30-9pm, all students of mine or Marks' who have finished Short Form are welcome. Contact me to be added to the email list to receive the link each week. This online class will resume on 7th January 2021. We have not been recording these classes so far. Class costs £10.

Skype or Zoom 121s with Mark are always available, just get in touch with him directly.

There have been lots of requests for a Left Side Long Form class by Zoom, especially while Mark can't get to teach in Scotland. I am happy to say that Mark will start teaching this in the New Year, exact date tbc, but probably Mondays, and from about 11th Jan. Suggested time is 7.30-9pm, cost £10. In the meantime folks have asked us to film him doing that form, so I will get that done over the break, as well as The Dance films folks have asked for. We will probably make sure we record these classes as there are no LS resources, unlike Long Form. If you would like to be added to the email list to receive the weekly invite for this class, then drop me an email with 'Left Side list' in the heading, which will make my admin much easier! 

I am really looking forward to this, and will be assisting Mark in classes, so you will be able to ask application questions and see details. If you have finished the Long Form, and have perhaps done some of The Dance, then get in touch to see if studying Left Side is for you. John Kells created this mirror form as a home for variations of postures, special techniques and research possibilities. As far as we know, Mark is the only person still teaching this.

Tonight is the last Tooting class until after this lockdown

We have just been informed that the hall may not hold exercise or education classes during this next lockdown, which means T'ai Chi class will be on tonight 3rd November, but not run for the next four weeks. As soon as I have a date for return, I'll put it here.

121s by Skype are available with Mark.

121s in person may be possible, socially distanced, but we are waiting for clarity in the government rules.

Zoom classes continue each week with Caroline. 

121s with Caro

Folks have asked if they can have 121s so that they can get on with their Short Form, or advanced things they are working on. I am not able to do lessons in-person where I live at the moment, but I am happy to do sessions via Skype or Zoom. If there's something you'd like to look at or ask, just get in touch. I am also happy to do short 1/2 hr sessions, working on one main thing, so that you don't have to endure too much screen time, but can get the detail to help you on what you are working on, whether a posture, a quality, some principle, or whatever. Get in touch. It'll be £10 per 1/2hr. 

I thought it would take me longer to get settled and ready to do this, but it seems a week in the woods works magic on me. It always does, not sure I should be so surprised! Pics soon. 

Classes this autumn with Mark and Caroline

Mark is waiting to hear back from Trinity Church to see if classes can go ahead on a Tuesday night in Tooting again, and under what protocols. We should know very soon and will post here as soon as possible. 

121s with Mark resume next week and you can book one by calling and texting him direct. If you don't have his number, just drop me a line at caroline at greatrivertaichi dot co dot uk and I will send it to you. Small groups are also possible in Mark's T'ai Chi studio, which is easily kept clean and is not used by anyone else. If you are already meeting up with a couple of T'ai Chi friends, and would like to book a session for up to three of you to study together here, that's totally possible. Just get in touch. 

I will be moving home next week, so for the foreseeable will not be teaching 121s. The Tooting Lido Pavilion class is sadly still not resuming, as the space apparently does not meet the correct ventilation requirements (bizzare, as its huge doors and windows literally open onto the poolside). The space is currently being used for storage and pool staff so they can have socially distanced breaks. Perhaps after the public swimming season ends, and only SLSC members can use it, fewer staff will be present at one time and the venue can resume its movement classes and kids' events. I hope so. It was a lovely short form class. 

Meanwhile I will start teaching this class online again starting next Wednesday 2nd September 9-10am, as planned. All students of Mark and mine are welcome to join in this hour-long class comprising warmups, chi kung, Short Form and questions. We look at a new posture each week or two. We are at Golden Rooster stands on one Leg. The class costs £5 and is also available afterwards on the Dropbox for those who cannot attend at 9am. I hang out online for 15 mins afterwards for those who have any questions or who would like to catch up and chat. I can't tell you what room will be the background yet, but wifi gods allowing, it could be my new boat...

Aberdeenshire classes are subject to different rules, and the instructors will post here when they have details. Very best wishes to all who read this. Mark is doing really well and is almost completely recovered. Thanks for all the good wishes. Caro.

Looking forward

I have formally handed-on my regular Aberdeenshire teaching responsibilities to our teacher, Master Mark Raudva, who is looking forward to teaching there from October. Now that I have contacted all my Scottish students in person, I would like to say here what a great pleasure and privilege it has been to teach such great students over the years and to get to know and spend time with such wonderful people. I shall still be coming to the October workshop, and will see folks when they are studying down south. I am available by email and phone, and will keep this blog and the website running, as Great River T'ai Chi is by no means ending. Wherever any of us teach or practice, that's Great River. Those who may be able to return to instructing after Covid measures change, just let me know, and we'll put it online. (I will update and renew the website in September).

As most of you may know, the last year and a half have been full of external challenges, the kind of periods we all have at times, when despite being fine in oneself, difficult events seem to come thick and fast, leaving no time to recover in between. It's fine, and not a calamity, like those effecting so many I know, through death of a loved one, illness or injury. Practice, nature, family and friends have been true wellsprings of support, thanks to everyone who has reached out to me in this time. 

I will be taking at least a year off teaching advanced T'ai Chi groups and 121s. Due to Covid, I am unlikely to travel to Sweden for the foreseeable future, so do not know what the future holds for teaching the small group of advanced students in Gothenburg. I will keep abreast of the travel rules and changes of advice. My plan is to spend a great amount of time in the woods and at the huts on the coast, to rest in Tao and do non-doing. It is also an opportunity to practice T'ai Chi 'just for myself', rather than as part of a conveyor belt of learning to share with others, however wonderful that is. This will be a first for me since 2002.

In September I hope to resume teaching the 1hr Short Form class at Tooting Bec Lido again on Wednesday mornings. However, there is as yet no opening date for the venue, and emails to them go unanswered. So for now, I will be teaching online again by Zoom 9-10am from 2nd September, unless I post otherwise here. There are email and Whatsapp groups for the weekly invitation to this. If you are a student of mine, Mark's or used to study with John Kells or his other instructors, you are so welcome to join us for chi Kung, T'ai Chi and warm ups. Just get in touch via caroline at greatrivertaichi dot co dot uk. The class costs £5 per week, and the video is uploaded to the school's Dropbox or can be sent by email, for those who are not free at 9am, but would like to do the class at their own leisure. Lastly, there are plenty of study resources on the Dropbox, get in touch if you need the code, as it's for our students only. 

Have a wonderful late summer, full of fruitfulness and warmth. I send my best wishes from the great river, in this case, literally, as I am standing in my boat, looking out over the Thames. 

Online short form classes will continue indefinitely

Hello, hope this week sees you all well and thriving, even under the unusual circumstances. Tomorrow's short form class will run as usual from 9-10am, and all past and present students of Mark's or mine are welcome, as are any students of students, so feel free to pass this info on. The live class runs via Zoom, and the details and password are posted at about 8.40am each Wednesday morning in the box to the right of this post.

Speaking to some of my over 70s students after class last week, I heard that some are going to need to self-isolate beyond any summer relaxing of lockdown restrictions, and so would not be able to return to Tooting Lido class even when it could restart. So I have decided to commit to an online short form class for the foreseeable future, so that no one goes without the chance to practice and learn T'ai Chi. For now, we'll continue in the Wednesday morning slot, and if and when the Tooting class resumes, we will find another suitable time and day of the week. At that point I will also keep the in-person and online classes in sync, as regards what postures we are looking at, for instance, so that folks can easily move between the two formats, or indeed do both, depending on their isolation requirements. I hope this will give you a little continuity and community. Live classes cost £5 (concs available).

I make recordings of each class and put it on the Dropbox each week, these may be useful to get a practice going, or if you miss a class. If you use these, I would hugely appreciate a £2-£5  contribution, for the time and work involved. These are interesting times for Mark and myself regarding livelihood, as everything we both do (T'ai Chi, art teaching, music...)  requires us to be in close contact with people in rooms. Thanks so much to those who are continuing to pay term fees, making one-off contributions for resources, or who are attending classes online or 121s. We are glad you are still practising.

I am not currently taking new students, but depending on how UK life proceeds, a beginners online class may occur. We shall see. Long term advanced students are encouraged to book a 121 Skype session with Mark, which are proving to be helpful, as well as very funny as Mark says he still sometimes speaks to the screen as though it's a long distance call in the 1970s...

Best wishes and love to all. Feel free to get in touch. I will post some lovely nature photos soon, as swans, trees and plants take up much of my time, these days.

121s with Mark by Skype are now available

Get in touch with Mark or me to arrange a session with Mark in an afternoon or evening. Price by arrangement with Mark.

Good things come...

Yesterday I posted some more simple Chi Kung instructions on the Great River Instagram, including Standing Pole, Zhan Zhuang, suitable even for those who have never done T'ai Chi or Chi Kung.

Also from today, Mark is offering personalised study aids / lessons to any regular student who would like one. The idea came from some inspired teaching from a dear friend's guitar teacher, now he can't go to students' houses, or have them come to him. First of all email, text or call me, or call Mark directly, to arrange a time to speak on the phone with Mark about your practice and what you are working on. For many who only had a 121 very recently, this will carry on from the last session. After the call, Mark will record a short video lesson, maybe 20 mins or so, on my phone, which gives good quality and file sizes. I can then email the link to you for a private Dropbox folder. When you have worked on it, or have any questions, you can have another phone call with Mark to clarify or expand on things. So a 'lesson' is a couple of calls and a bespoke video. If you would like to give it a go, get in touch. The price is a sliding scale, by personal arrangement, so that everyone who wants to do this, can do so.

I am still attempting to sort Zoom lessons for Short Form, but have needed a rest this last two days, after 3 weeks non-stop.

More soon, I do hope you are well and safe. If there is anything i can do to help, just ask.

REVISED - September workshops, Aberdeenshire

UPDATE 5 Sep:  Friday will be weapons practice, sharing hall cost; Saturday afternoon meet-up at Anneke's; no Sunday sessions. Click here for info.

The next workshops with Caroline in Aberdeenshire are this weekend, 6-8th September. The Weapons session is at Fetternear Hall, all other workshops are at Balvack. Great River students of any level are particularly welcome to the Saturday sessions.

Friday 6:30-9:30pm: Weapons
Saturday 1-4pm: Short Form, and related study
Saturday 5:30-8:30pm: Partnerwork
Sunday 1-4pm: Long Form
Sunday 5.30-8.30pm: Advanced Studies and Dance

The price is £18 (concessions £12) per 3 hr session. Please bring food to share on Saturday and Sunday. Get in touch with your instructor if you need travel directions or feel free to contact me with any other question.

Dates for all the 2019 workshops are available here.

121s in Aberdeenshire

I am off to the woods tomorrow but will still get emails and texts... So let me know if you'd like a 121 next weekend. I have slots on the Saturday and Sunday mornings. And don't forget we are at Finzean on the Saturday for our annual midsummer Deeside jaunt. Love from the river, Caro,

121s available this weekend

Looking forward to teaching in Aberdeenshire this weekend. There are slots available on Saturday and Sunday mornings for 121s, let me know if you'd like one.

Saturday 121

I have a slot available on Saturday morning when I come to Aberdeenshire this weekend,

121s in Aberdeenshire

This month I have three slots available: Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings, get in touch if you'd like one.

121s next week

I am really looking forward to coming up to Aberdeenshire and seeing everyone. If anyone would like a 121, let me know.

121s in Aberdeenshire

121s are available Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Let me know if you would like one.