Monthly East London Class

I have finally got things together and organised a monthly meet up for any old Hackney students who would like to join in, and any of  Mark's students who may be living or working in north or east London and fancy coming along. There's no obligation to book or turn up, as I will be at a student's home to do T'ai Chi anyway. There is a lovely room we can do form, dance and push hands in, not enough room for sword but hey ho, we can use the garden in the summer. I would be happy to teach whatever folks who turn up wanted, but short and long form, dance and some partnerwork would certainly be possible. I think we could aim for 2 hours, 7-9pm, then we will lay on tea and some snacks. Please let me know if you are interested. It is likely to happen on Fridays, as that is the only time my student is free and most old students could be around. Cost would be £10 / £5 concs.

The address located 6 mins walk from Plaistow tube, 5 mins on bus from Stratford tube / train / bus station. Contact me for address. First session is scheduled for 9th December. Hope you can make it!

Round Chapel Class - Hiatus

The Hackney Round chapel class will be going on Hiatus as of this week with a planned relaunch in the near future. In the mean time do come to the Hive Dalston on Saturdays at 12pm if you can, all the info. can be found here https://hivedalston.wordpress.com. Both beginners and experienced are welcome.

New Beginners class in Hackney

I'm Starting a Beginners class Starting tomorrow Saturday 13th February at 12-1pm.
There won't be a class on the 20th February but after that classes will be held weekly.

The Venue address is:  The Hive Dalston, 260-264 Kingsland Road E8 4DG
For more info check out their website here: https://hivedalston.wordpress.com

Hackney Class

The Hackney Class will resume this coming Wednesday 13th January.
We'll be in back in the large room up stairs at the usual time 6-10pm.
Look forward to seeing you all!

A fond farewell to Hackney

Tomorrow, Wednesday 16th December, will be my last regular Hackney class after almost exactly 9 years of teaching there on a weekly basis, about 42 weeks of each year. Stephen Moore asked me to take the class on when he emigrated all those years ago, and I am really glad I took the plunge. That's over 1500 hours teaching, though amusingly, about 1700 hours travelling to and from class... Apart from teaching in Aberdeenshire, since moving back down south, I haven't committed to anything as thoroughly as I have the Hackney class, and it's been an chance for me to put my energy where my mouth is. It has been a great privilege and pleasure to teach all the students who have come along over the years, and I am sure I will see you again when I cover the class if needed, or at The T'ai Chi Centre classes and events with Mark. I have decided to pass the class on now that someone more local to Hackney from our T'ai Chi family is ready to teach it. I spend 5 hours each week travelling from the far south west of the TfL system, and it's too much when added to the regular Aberdeen travel. For me it is also important to keep bringing the next generation along, rather than hold tight to a class or 'opportunity'. In that way, Great River T'ai Chi is the antithesis of franchise schools, but is a real 'family tree'.One of my joys is watching how folks' T'ai Chi deepens and grows as they begin to instruct. At my weekends in Aberdeenshire at the moment, it is a real treat to meet the students of my students, and to see the thread of what I learned from Mark Raudva and John Kells woven into the fabric of their practice. It is very heartening, and I am sure it will happen at Hackney too.

Carmen Saccone, who has been assisting me for several years, will be taking over the class. Carmen also studies every week with my teacher on Tuesdays, becoming a fine instructor and T'ai Chi practitioner. She teaches 121s, has run several workshops, classes and events, as well as having been one of my main assistants nationally and internationally for over 5 years. At first, classes will run along the same timings as usual. Later, Carmen will be welcoming new beginners for an hour at the start of class, for warm ups, Short Form and perhaps sticking. This will not affect the current schedule, as that is what we do during the first hour anyway. Long Form, Heart Work, weapons and Dance will continue to be taught. Please support Carmen in her new endeavour and help create the Hackney T'ai Chi class you wish to attend. You'll be able to see any announcements here on the blog. 121 lessons are still available with me in Hampton Court or with Carmen in Hackney, and folks can get in touch any time.

What will I be doing with those extra 9 hours in my week? Getting my own 121s with Mark! I will have more time for self-practice and for singing and drawing, which have re-entered my life recently.

Finally, thanks again to all the students over the years for their attention, hard work, good energy and excellent humour. It is always a good day when we can do our T'ai Chi together.

Hackney tonight

Is in the nursery room which we used a few weeks ago. Ring the nursery bell or my phone to get in. 

Back online again

After lots of travel, I am finally back home and have my broadband up and running again after some issues. Here are some pictures from the last few weeks. It's been an emotional time, since the funeral, but full of love and fellowship. The after effects of Carrying The Fire, in the heart of the moors in the Highlands, have also been profound. Last night's Hackney class was excellent, great questions by all the senior students especially. Thanks for all your time, effort and energy. It is fun to teach an experienced group... Finally, I am occasionally not able to get to Mark's classes at the moment but I hope to see everybody on Tuesday next week, and have the staff bags made by then too. People have been asking where to get the traditional cotton taichi shoes now that Shaolin Way has shut. You can get them at Playwell. If anyone knows of a shop where you can walk in and buy them, let me know.

 

Autumn leaves at Woodbrooke Quaker Centre.

Samhain table at Carrying the Fire.

Loch Ossian

 

Welcome to the new sabreurs at fetternear.

Punch Under Elbow applications at Balvack.

 

The full contingent of senior students at Hackney, caught by Davina, who was visiting - thank you!

Hackney tonight

We are in the nursery rooms tonight, entered by the office front door on lower ground level as usual. Ring nursery buzzer. My phone will also be on.

Hackney class

As normal tonight! No car break downs or tube delays will prevent it!

Thanks

... To Rob and Carmen last night who made sure class happened when Mark's car broke down on the way to Hackney. Mark says he will make it over there very soon! 

No T'ai chi Centre classes next week.

No Tuesday or Thursday class on 13th and 15th October as Mark will be teaching at the Annual Autumn Workshop in Aberdeenshire. Classes resume as normal on 20th October.

My Hackney class will run as normal on 14th, 6-10pm, and any T'ai Chi centre students who'd like to pop along to North London will be very welcome.

Thanks to Carmen

...for taking Hackney class whilst I was away this week. I will be back next week.

Hackney class travel disruption possible tonight

A Rugby World Cup game will take place tonight at the stadium in The Olympic Park which may disrupt travel to and from class. I hope to be on time, at 6pm, if I am delayed, apologies in advance! The building is always opened by 6.30. 

Hackney news

Mark will be taking my class on 28th October. Please come along and enjoy this session with my teacher. 

Hackney Class resumes tonight

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at class tonight, we will be in the Meeting Rooms, downstairs at The Old school rooms, Hackney round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, as we were all last term. Times and prices remain unchanged. any queries, drop me a text. New students are welcome to get in touch regarding suitability.

Last Hackney class of term

... Is tonight!

Hackney Class til end of term

From the venue manager:
 'As a team, we have been looking at the timetable up until the summer and you might not need to use the nursery space every week. This is how space for your session could be allocated if this was agreeable to you.'
From 18:00 - 19:30 in the Meeting Room and from 19:30 until 22:00 in the Main Hall. The only exception would be Wednesday 7th July when you would be in the Nursery space.'

We did this last night and it was totally fine, so we'll go with that for now. so - only 7th July in nursery room. Any queries, get in touch.

Hackney class tonight

... is in the usual building at 2 Powerscroft Road. 6-7.30 will be downstairs in the 'meeting room' opposite the office (where Yoga is held), from 7.30 we can use the large hall that we have been using this term.
Any problems getting in, call me, number will be on posters on the door.

Autumn Term Dates 2015

Here's advance notice of a slight change to previously advertised dates, we will now resume on 9th September, continuing until December 16th.

Hackney Classes tonight, and for June and July 2015

This week 10th June will be at a venue up the road for one week only, as all rooms at the venue are booked up. Old United Services Club, 69 Powerscroft Road, E9 0PT. It's further up the same road we are normally on, 1 min away.

From 17th June we will be using the large nursery room downstairs back at our usual venue, the Old school rooms. Come in via the downstairs doors by the office. My phone will be on in case of any door issues.

Hopefully that will be the end of our itinerant era. When things are settled, I will update all our web presences. Any issues, please call.