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.

Travel for Autumn workshop

For anyone planning ahead and intending travelling by train to the Autumn workshop which starts on October 21st, LNER tickets to Aberdeen are now on sale here

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.

Aberdeenshire Spring Workshop

The dates of the Aberdeenshire Spring Workshop with Mark have now been confirmed.

Due to unavailability of the hall on the Monday and Tuesday, it will be a slightly different arrangement from last October, starting on the Friday afternoon rather than the usual Saturday.

Friday 3rd March to Sunday 5th March 2pm - 9.30pm(ish) 3-day workshop at Fetternear Hall 

Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th 1 to 1 lessons

Thursday 9th 2pm - 9.30pm at Monymusk Hall. An afternoon of weapons, followed by a leftside class after the food break.

Please contact Paolo if you'd like to book a 1 to 1 with Mark, or are interested in attending the workshops.

Warmest greetings to all Past Great River students, wherever you may be.

It's almost 10pm and I have just spent 3 hours going back over almost 18 years of this blog, saving some photos, writing, quotes and links that I have been meaning to gather together for quite some while. I was not expecting to be so moved by seeing all our faces getting younger by the minute, as I scrolled back to when I started this blog in 2005, three years after I officially started teaching T'ai Chi.

If you are reading this, and know me from classes, whether very well, or just for a brief time, then I send you my warmest good wishes and hope that this finds you well and well-loved. How incredible it has been to immerse myself in memories of the wider T'ai Chi family by looking through this blog in its entirety for the every first time. There was the news that I was inviting my teacher to come and teach my students at Drumblair Lodge, Aberdeenshire, in the Winter of 2005-6. Wonderful to know that many of you still practise and teach what you have been learning all these years. This makes me so happy.

I recently heard back from Megan, who used to study with Mark a decade ago, and who remembered me as 'always being there'. Indeed! It was good to be able to share lots of what is in the school's Dropbox, so that she can practice at home, now she is far away. Every year someone drops in at Mark's who used to study with John Kells, as happened last week. Mark told me how relieved and at home the student felt being in his class. 

There are so many people I miss, some moved away, some left, some passed on. Everybody left an impression. Some of my old students now study with Mark or Kevin, others elsewhere, others no longer practise. For those that do, I hope that T'ai Chi brings you a still point in your lives. Since the pandemic stopped me teaching in person in March 2020, I have only taught online, and currently I do not teach at all. After 20 years, it was a good time to take a break. Now, nature, writing, teaching craft and making art take up much of my time, but Central Earth is still fundamental. I am waiting for a dear relative to have a place I can stay in London in the near future, and then I will be able to come and study with Mark at Tuesday and Wednesday classes sometimes, with a quiet, safe place to stay, (which is essential for me, since last year's uprooting events). I plan to be at the November workshop if I can find someone who can put me up. 

I had forgotten how much we had all shared here on this blog, news, poems, classes, photos, comings and goings, births and deaths. I intend to leave this blog here, as long as Google leaves Blogger here for free, I guess. If you'd like to be in touch, my email address hasn't ever changed, so you can find me if you want to. In the meantime I can feel it will soon be time to wend my way back to T'ai Chi classes, though probably not teaching in person. I am going to help Mark record an online course, and see how that goes. I may also do a short one for all the chi kung I teach, as it has been so helpful to my friends with long Covid, which was a bit if good news recently. 

I have spent at least 20 years in rooms with people, wonderful people, whether for T'ai Chi, art, or before that, a decade of music indoors in studios. It feels like a combination of time outdoors, family time, and private time is still what calls me at the moment, for a bit longer. So if I don't see you in person very soon, but you are one of the excellent people I have had the pleasure of just seeing scrolling back through this blog, then may I wish you a very fruitful autumn and peaceful winter. Warmest greetings to you from stormy Bournemouth, 

Caro. 

The drawing board this week, putting the final 

touches to my natural paints book which will 

come out next June with Search Press.

Scottish workshops with Mark begin this weekend

From Saturday Mark will be in Aberdeenshire teaching the autumn workshops, followed by 121s with all those who booked one. If you'd like to join Mark, give him a ring, there are still places. 

Wishing a good workshop for all who go.

More outdoor T'ai Chi in Aboyne

 Anneke is continuing her sessions on the Green in Aboyne, all welcome!

This week I am teaching Taichi on the Green in Aboyne on Tuesday (26th) and Wednesday (27th) mornings 9.30-10.30am.   There won't be a class on Monday as the weather forecast for Monday morning is wet. 

Next week I am planning to have a class on Tuesday 2 Aug and Wednesday 3 Aug when weather permits. I am letting go of the Monday class as numbers have been low that morning. 

Looking forward to seeing you.

Summer T'ai Chi outdoors in Aboyne

Anneke is teaching morning Taichi on The Green in Aboyne from 9.30-10.30am Tuesday (19th) and Wednesday (20th) this week and likely next week Tuesday and Wednesday and more days over the Summer when weather allows. We will meet on East side of the Green (where the fountain is). 

This is an informal open class for anyone, so no need to book, do all days, or have done Taichi before. Just come along when it suits you and give it a try. It's on a donation basis.

 

If you need more information, please contact Anneke at annekestolte@hotmail.co.uk

Classes In Aberdeenshire with Paolo at Monymusk

Short Form Class.

What: Warm ups/Short Form/Introduction to Partner work (when covid restrictions allow and students are comfortable with contact) and more...

When:   Weekly classes on Wednesday afternoons, 2-4pm.

Where: Monymusk Village Hall.

New beginners, returning students, and those with previous experience all welcome.

Please mail paolo at greatrivertaichi dot com for details.

Kintore T'ai Chi classes with Scott Allan

Classes are running in Kintore with Scott on Wednesday evenings from 7pm until 8.30pm for beginners, with short form and warm ups. To get in touch, call 07714 267057. All are welcome!

New Aboyne class

Anneke has a new class starting this week in Aboyne, here are the details:

Tuesdays 9.30-11am starting this Tuesday 2 Nov 21 

At Aboyne-Dinnet Church Hall, Huntly Road Aboyne

drop-in class £10/£12 per class (if group is big enough, I can offer further discount)

come along or drop me an email  anneke (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk

Autumn workshop thanks

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Autumn workshop with Mark for all your work and enthusiasm, and best wishes to those who weren't able to attend. Thanks also to Mark for his teaching at the workshop, the Left Side class, and all the 121s. The redecorated hall was lovely to be in and we'll be organising future visits by Mark in due course. As it was our first workshop in 2 years I didn't take many photos, but just to confirm that we did have:

flowers,

partnerwork,

and, of course, cake!

Fetternear Hall housekeeping information

 I’ve visited the hall to see the changes as a result of the refurbishment work and here are a few things you need to know:

There is no longer access into the hall via the kitchen, so please come in through the main front door.

As usual the small hall will be laid out as our dining room - please leave any cold food on the “buffet table” in there.

If you are bringing food that needs to be reheated, bear in mind there is no longer a microwave. If a number of folk need to be reheating/cooking, please agree amongst yourselves who will take care of watching / stirring to minimise the number of people in the kitchen at one time. Where possible, bring hot food through to the small hall for serving.

Update: you can bring food to share or your own packed lunch - whichever you prefer.

There is a brand new urn in the kitchen for teas/coffees (so no more waiting for kettles to boil!). Mugs, milk, sugar and a selection of teas will be available in the small hall.

We will use the hall’s plates and mugs and I will bring cutlery and some basic utensils. Feel free to bring your own plate / mug / cutlery if you prefer.  

We will use the dishwasher in the kitchen rather than washing up by hand. If you have anything you don’t want to go through the industrial-strength machine, then please take it away with you to wash at home.

The notices in the hall stating that masks must be worn apply to events open to the public. You may wear a mask if you wish, and guidance is to wear a mask if <1m from another household. As always I’m sure you’ll be considerate of your fellow students - remember you may not be aware of their personal or household situation and circumstances.

Regarding payment for the workshop, I can take cash on behalf of Mark. Let me know if you are paying by bank transfer and also if you need Mark’s payment details. 

If there is any other information you need I’ll see what I can do to help. See you soon!

Wishing you a great autumn workshop

 I am sending love and best wishes to all who are attending Mark's Autumn workshop in Fetternear Hall next week, I hope you have a wonderful time. It will be strange not to be there too, but I will enjoy doing my taichi down here and thinking of you doing yours up there. I will see you next year. Very best wishes Caro.

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.

International travel for Aberdeenshire Autumn Intensive

For any international visitors considering coming to the Aberdeenshire Autumn Intensive in October.

It is now possible to travel to Scotland without quarantine if you're a fully vaccinated EU resident, though some Covid tests are required. Things may change in the next few months so best check for the latest information on the government website HERE.

If anyone needs advice or assistance with travel or accommodation, please get in touch and I'll do what I can to help.

Lots of news

Zoom classes are ongoing and are all online, including today's class. Join us on Wednesday mornings or download and use at your own leisure, £5 per session. Get in touch for links. I am recording a special class for next week as I will be in the woods on Wednesday... more details soon.

Students studying online, or stuck at home, if there is a resource you would like me or Mark to record, please get in touch, for instance, a form filmed from behind, a mirror image of something... let me know and I will try to sort that within a fortnight. 

Mark's Tuesday classes resumed last night, 7-9pm at Trinity Church Tooting Large Hall. We had social distancing, hand gel, so much space and room, plus all windows and doors open. Masks were won by whoever wished to do so and we followed all church guidelines, the person responsible for safety at the halls visited us and was happy with the set up. You are very welcome to join us, and classes will continue as long as it is allowed by the church, who check guidelines daily and are responsible for the hall use. Each class is just cash / e-payment on the night £15 / £10, as we do not know if 'terms' will resume for some time. Everyone's safety is our concern, so we fully understand those who do not feel able to come. You are welcome to book a socially distanced 121 with Mark, or a Skype lesson if that appeals. It is also still warm enough to practice outside, so if you'd like to meet up at 2-3m distance in a park to do form, that would be ideal. Mark can also teach outside. (I am still not teaching 121s until the spring.)  

On a personal note, it was just so brilliant to be moving in a room sticking to other people's movements. It was great to see everyone and to smile and laugh together. I missed you all!

Thursday class at Hampton Court will run weekly from tomorrow 7-9.30pm. Contact Mark to book a place. The class will run as long as it is legal and safe to do so. 

We were just about to organise an alternative Aberdeenshire workshop venue when the rules changed yet again yesterday regarding Covid. Mark and Davina will be talking very soon and we will post a definitive message here this week. Sadly we have just heard that the October workshops and 121s have been cancelled due to renewed Covid restrictions. Thanks to Davina for all her hard work on the admin side finding alternatives. Mark will arrange something in Scotland as soon as conditions allow it. 

Thanks to all who have been contributing to Mark and myself during this time, and to those paying for lessons. Banks transfers are best as Mark has had some Paypal issues. get in touch if you need either of our bank details. 

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.