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.

Summer workshop starts tomorrow!

From 2pm Leander Sea Scots Hall, same as the past 5 events. All welcome. 

I was hoping to be there tomorrow and Sunday, but tarin strikes means I won't get there until Sunday. I am looking forward to seeing all who come. 

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

Summer workshop dates

The Sea Scouts have confirmed the hall hire for us so we are at our usual venue, Leander Sea Scouts, Kingston Upon Thames, UK. 22-28 July 2023. 2pm-9.30pm daily, with an hour's break for dinner around 6pm ish. 

Bring your own food, rather than big things to share, to make sure you've got something. But it's also fine to bring sharing cakes, snacks or whatever, and up to you whether you partake. Tea will be provided, as usual, and teas and milk are always welcome. Bring hand gel as there will be lots of partnerwork to make up for all the years without it!

As far as we know, camping at the venue is still fine. I will be camping there Saturday and possibly Sunday night.

Cost £50 per day, £25 per half day, (£30 per day, £15 per half day concessions)

Get in touch with Mark for more details or search this blog for 'Intensive' or 'summer workshop' as all the travel and venue details are still the same. 

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.

Upcoming workshops with Mark

Later this week I should have all the details for the upcoming autumn workshops with Mark in both Scotland and Twickenham. In October there will be a workshop at Fetternear Hall in Aberdeenshire, followed by 121s. In November there will be a 3 or 4 day workshop at Twickenham. Details soon as Mark gives them to me.

Next year's summer workshop is pencilled in for 22-28 July 2023 at the usual Kingston venue. The refurbished Petersham meadows venue is no longer available for a weeklong event, and is now three times the price it was, so is too expensive for us anyway. Leander Sea Scout hut is still really great, and I look forward to seeing you there next year. 

Any workshop queries in the meantime, just call Mark directly.

Lots of news from the T'ai Chi Centre

I've spent the weekend with Mark arranging all sorts of upcoming good things for the T'ai Chi Centre and Great River, so here's the latest.

The 4 day Summer Intensive is going ahead as announced 23-26 July and we look forward to seeing you there. All students who have ever studied with Mark, Caro or John Kells or his students are welcome to attend. All the details are in the previous post. 

Mark will be taking new beginners at the Trinity Rd Tooting class at 6.30-8pm on Tuesdays from mid September. So let all your London pals know. All with some previous experience are welcome right now  from 7-9pm each Tuesday night, and classes will continue until 20th July, resuming 6th September. Class costs £15.

In the autumn, Mark will begin recording video lessons for an introductory online class, which can be studied by anyone anywhere. Film maker Jonny Randall will be shooting and editing the course. We are researching hosting platforms at the moment. If you have studied an online course over the last few years and would recommend one in particular, then get in touch with Mark to let him know.

So that Mark's new classes and courses will be known about more widely, we have set up an Instagram account which you can see online even if you don't have Instagram as an app. Go to www.instagram.com/thetaichicentre.co.uk . I am uploading the photos and text he sends me, and answering or forwarding enquires. Mark aims to show photos from the whole period he has been teaching - since 1988 - as well as the breadth of the syllabus covered. We have uploaded two posts so far, and there'll be one every couple of days, for now. Feel free to let friends know about the upcoming courses and the insta account. It's nice that already an old student of mine from Hackney found the account and will be popping along to Mark's classes in Tooting next week, as they miss T'ai Chi so much. 

Staring at screens is never fun, but it is worth it when it helps bring people back to real physical T'ai Chi again.

Great River T'ai Chi will start in person classes in Southbourne and Boscombe in September as I have found some great movement studios with plenty of space and light. More on that soon!

And, after two years of really not being able to raise my right leg properly to do Sweep Lotus kick, all my exercises have paid off, and although the arthritis is still there, my muscles around the joint are much stronger. This is in good time, as next week we do this posture in the online class.

Online Short Form class continues live each Tuesday morning 9-10am by Zoom, all welcome, £6.

All good wishes from me in Bournemouth. Have a great week ahead. 

The long-awaited 15th Annual summer intensive

Dear friends, at last we are able to announce The T'ai Chi Centre 15th annual summer intensive. It will be a four day event this year, to ease everyone back gently into the workshop habit. We were not able to afford the newly refurbished Petersham premises any more, and the dates we wanted were not free anyway. Our recent venue in Kingston have kindly moved a booking for us to have our preferred last week of July slot and have not raised their prices, for which we are grateful. 

Here are the details so far.

Dates: 2pm Saturday 23rd July until 9.30pm Tuesday 26th July 2022

Times: 2-5pm and 6.30-9.30pm daily

Cost: £50 per day, £25 per session. (Concessions £24 /£12) or anything between these that you can afford.

Address: Leander Sea Scout Hut, Albany Mews, Kingston Upon Thames. (No entrance from riverside, Lower Ham Rd.) Local parking restrictions may apply. No parking at venue. 65 bus stops very nearby. Train: Kingston, 20 min walk.

Food: Bring your own food for the break between sessions. Tea and soft drinks provided.

Nearer the time we will know if anyone can stay in the venue overnight. For now it is best to assume not. We have the venue from 12 noon Saturday until 10pm Tuesday. 

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!

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.

Summer workshop changes & 121s with Mark

Here's the latest changes on the workshop.

The 24-27the July workshop will now be held at Holly Rd, Twickenham, at Chris and Mary's place, as it was not possible to host at Hampton Court after all. Please contact Mark by text or phone for further details. Timings and prices are unaffected. Cost will be £45 per day or £25 per half day, by cash, bank transfer or Paypal to Mark. Concession price is £24 per day.

Mark has cancelled the hall booking for the large Leander Sea Scout hut as it is too large for the amount of people who have confirmed they are coming along.

The traditional weeklong workshop is instead 4 days with 3 days put aside afterwards for 121s. If you would like one on 28, 29, or 30th July, just get in touch with Mark to book a slot.

We'll be bringing our own food, rather than sharing, but tea will still be provided. Handwashing facilities and hand gel will be available. If you need details about parking, public transport or whatever, just get in touch with me for Mark's contact details if you don't have them.

Mark is calling it the 2021 4 day Summer workshop. The 'T'ai Chi Centre 15th Annual Week-long Summer Intensive', which was cancelled last year due to Covid, is still postponed, and we hope it will run as normal next year, perhaps at the brand new Petersham Sea Scout hut and field, which has been rebuilt since we were last there, years ago. 

Taichi class updates in London, online sessions and Summer Intensive news.

Mark's Long Form Tooting classes are now running at the usual venue Trinity Church Hall on Tuesday nights 7-9pm. Class last 2 hours, there is as yet no partner work, due to govt guidelines. Class costs £15.

Wednesday morning Short Form at Tooting Bec Lido Pavilion is running. Kevin Devine now takes the class after I moved back to Bournemouth. Class runs from 9-10am, all are welcome. Class costs £10 or £8 for SLSC members. 

Tuesday morning Zoom class with me is running each week 9-10am, all those with some experience of short form are welcome. We do warm ups, chi kung and short form. Email me or fill in the form via the Great River T'ai Chi website for the link. Class is recorded and can be watched at any time, £5 live or recorded.

Mark will continue to teach online Short Form in detail, Long Form and Left Side sessions by Zoom for the foreseeable future, at the usual dates and times he has been using since January 2021. Class prices are £10 per session. Some sessions are available recorded afterwards, get in touch with Mark for details. 

The Summer Intensive will run differently this year for 4 days. Please let Mark or me know if you plan to come. All students of John Kells, of his students, Mark, me and of all our students are welcome.

The October workshop in Scotland and regular classes for the Scottish contingent will resume as soon as lockdown has been entirely lifted. Mark will be taking over all my previous workshops, but rather than monthly, will probably be travelling every 6-8 weeks or so, in arrangement with the Scottish students. 

Online and recorded sessions, resources and classes are available on our Dropbox, if you want access, just get in touch with me. 

Personal news: I have been away for a while recovering from the events of May and my hip condition, doing an art residency, and spending time in the woods doing bushcraft and traditional skills. I am not online as much as I was, but do plan to return when I feel able to. I have plenty more essays and pieces to add to the new website blog. If you are teaching a class and want it to be listed on the website, please email me the details. In the meantime it has been lovely hearing from you by email. I am still practising much Heartwork, short form and meditation, and as my hip musculature improves, the more advanced forms and practices can make their way back into my life. For now, all situations in life are good opportunities for practice, whether or not they looks like T'ai Chi, they certainly feel like it. I have no plans to start in-person classes in Bournemouth, despite a host of great venues. I still haven't had that planned sabbatical, as Covid and then the ensuing events prevented it. Perhaps it will happen now. Very best wishes to all from sunny Bournemouth. 

Term dates and summer workshop latest

NEWS: Easter holiday. There will be no break in online classes with Mark during the Easter period, as he is not able to go away due to lockdown restrictions - and he lives only 60 metres from the studio! He understands that you might not be able to make it to class over this period, or may want a break, and will make sure no one gets left behind on anything that gets covered. However, as many folks may also be stuck at home, he thought you might like to join him for T'ai Chi anyway.

Summer workshop: I will be meeting the Sea Scouts at Petersham soon to arrange returning to that wonderful riverside venue this summer for the 15th Annual Intensive. Of course we cannot know what, if any, restrictions will be in place at that time, how long the workshop will be, if not the usual full week, and many other things. I went to see the new building yesterday from the outside, it is mostly completed and looks fantastic, airy and big, perfect for rainy days. The outdoor space is still great, big enough for classes and camping even though there is now a cool bushcraft area. The fire site is still there with plenty of wood for bonfires. 

We will provide hand gel and the new venue toilets are going to be clean and accessible, so hygiene will not be a problem. It is likely we would all bring our own packed meals this year and have a rota for serving teas, rather than a free-for-all in the kitchen. But this is all easily doable and so worthwhile. I will post more here when I know more. Last year I also bought a 4m square gazebo for when I moved boat. I will be ideal as a dry store for bags and shoes during the day so that we can stay outside for all but loo visits. Now we just all need our vaccines.

February news & Summer workshop planned dates

Classes are continuing online until Easter with Caro and Mark. A link to the recording of last night's left Side class should be available today when I have edited it. 

We are tentatively hoping that the postponed 15th Annual T'ai Chi Intensive will be able to run this year. I will contact possible venues today and hope to have more news at Easter. The proposed dates so far are the usual last week of July (24-30th) with our usual warm-up the night before for partnerwork on eve of 23rd. Obviously everything depends on a certain virus, and on the UK government's handling of it, and on so many other variables. But I am writing this plan here, in the hope that it may come to fruition, and that we will all be able to push hands again soon. 

Perhaps we will need an outdoors venue and covered area, and to have to bring our own packed meals, not to share. We will certainly have lots more handwashing and hand gel applications, and have windows and doors wide open. Maybe tea and coffee will be made by a couple of people each break, and laid out, on a rota, likewise with washing up. We are adaptable folk, us T'ai Chi people, and with humour and a bit of planning, as well as lots of care, there is a good chance we can have our week or at least 3 or 4 days, of workshop. 

Summer workshop update

We have just heard from our usual summer intensive workshop venue the Leander Scout group in Kingston. They are allowed to use the hall for all non-Scout uses, including hiring it to us. For now, we still plan to go ahead with the workshop in the last week of July, and hope that the Covid-19 situation will be such that we can do this. Whatever hygiene, meal time or distancing measures are needed, we will apply. The venue is large, modern and has good hand washing facilities, as well as generally being easy to clean. It may also be wise for us to forego the wonderful buffet style meals for a year, and bring our own packed food for the meal break. With hand gel and washing, and just a couple of people serving teas and hot water rather than our usual amiable crowd in the kitchen, I think it could work fine. I certainly don't mind being tea-lady. Perhaps this is my vocation. If the intensive runs, and people can't travel or attend for shielding reasons, that's totally understandable. But, if circumstances allow, and it is safe to do so, assume that the event will run, even if it is shorter / different from the usual set up. More as soon as I know anything. Mark and I hope you are all well and doing ok. Feel free to get in touch any time. 

Heart felt thanks

Here's to all my Aberdeenshire students for their wonderful work this weekend, their why-not? attitude and great food too. I was really impressed with everyone who busked along with things beyond their clearance grade. We send our love to Alistair for a speedy recovery. Photos in the next few days.

I appreciate so much the support from you all for my 6 month sabbatical. I shall be resting, not working any evenings, and reducing my travel as soon as fixed commitments are over, by mid April. I'll be studying Left Side intricacies with Mark and look forward to sharing all my research and development with you in September. Our Wenesday fortnightly advanced study group is the focus of my T'ai Chi life at the moment, and I am gratfeul for the excellent folks I get to train with. Mark will be teaching in Aberdeenshire in May, on my planned dates. I hope you all have a great weekend.

In September I also hope to bring some staff partnerwork Mark and I will be working on. For those who are free, Taichi Caledonia looks good this year, and if anyone is planning on going, let me know, so I can let our dear friend Master Sam Masich know, and give an introduction. Sam will be teaching Sword with partnerwork, which would be worth attending. There is much else to enjoy.

My weekly Wednesday morning T'ai Chi at the Lido sessions are continuing throughout my sabbatical, seeing as I am already in Tooting each Tuesday night to study and assist.

In a couple of weeks I will produce invites for the Summer and Autumn workshops with Mark. It will be his 15th year and so we plan a few nice extra features... The dates are already here on the blog, just scroll down or search 'workshops'. Do feel free to get in touch with T'ai Chi colleagues who no longer come along, due to pressures of life or moving. If they are free on the first Saturday of the Summer Intensive, they will be so welcome. We will be inviting old friends and colleagues, guests and students to come for a day of simple form, sticking, push hands and salutations. More soon.

Warmest greetings to all Great River students past and present, from the River Thames. 

Dates for 2020 at the T'ai Chi Centre - Easter hols added

Here's all the dates for this year's events. All the great River only dates with Caroline are on a separate post.  I have not been posting much here due to weight of work and having another delightful cold. I love not driving, but much time on public transport means if I've just missed one cold germ then another one will be along in 5 minutes...

The last Tuesday class of this term will be 24th March. Holiday dates for class break for Easter in London are 31st March, 7th and 14th April, when there will be no Tuesday classes. These weeks there will also be no Weds or Thurs classes with Mark. Classes resume 21st April.

The 15th Annual Summer Intensive runs from 25-31st July 2020, with optional partnerwork on evening of Friday 24th. Same venue, details and arrangements as last 3 years. Price tbc in coming days. All are welcome on the Saturday, even if you've only been studying a year or so. We hope to contact many old T'ai Chi friends and colleagues so that they can join us for a 15yr celebratory day of basic practice, with plenty of tea and cake too. If you have old T'ai Chi pals you haven't seen for a while, do let them know they'll be very welcome for some Short Form, sticking and more. Details soon. I organise the logistics for this course, so any questions feel free to get in touch.

October Workshop will be 4 day this year rather than 3, by popular request. 10-13th October 2020, with optional weapons session eve of Friday 9th. Mark will stay on to teach 3 days of 121s in Scotland for those who want them. Davina organises things for this course, so if you have any local questions get in touch with her. Also - huge thanks to Davina for over a decade of seamless Aberdeenshire admin for both Mark and myself.

There will be no London classes with Mark during these two workshop weeks, but Wednesday morning Tooting classes with Caroline will not be affected.

121 classes are available with Mark any time at his studio near Hampton Court.

Great River tutors in London and Aberdeenshire are available to give one-off T'ai Chi sessions for organisations, get in touch if you'd like to know more. We also run regular classes in Gothenburg, and run workshops in Sweden in March and November.