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.

Thanks

Freshly home from Sweden. Thanks to all the students new and old who came along to the sessions. Excited to be starting new Sabre and Long Form classes as well as partnerwork introduction for the Short Form group. Photos later when I have downloaded them from my phone.

Swedish sessions next week

On Friday evening on 1st November I will be teaching an introduction to T'ai Chi pushing hands in Gothenburg, Sweden. If you'd like to come along, drop an email to caroline at greatrivertaichi dot co uk
On the Saturday and Sunday sessions with the regulars and guests, we will be doing more advanced pushing hands, spiral rotations and Long Form. Looking forward to seeing the crew.

After that I will be heading to west to teach Wild Inks at A School Called Home.

See you soon.

Gothenburg sessions

Thanks to the Swedish crew for great work. We finished the in-depth revision of Short Form, with applications. Next Autumn, or possibly before if I am back in Sweden, Long Form...
Photos below: yielding exercises, and Short Form refinements.

Heading to Scotland

Today marks the start of two weeks travelling to teach T'ai Chi, first Scotland then Sweden next week. I am really looking forward to seeing all the students, hearing your news and sharing some great work. See you soon.

Next Gothenburg workshops

I'll be there 23rd and 24th February, after a little trip to see friends elsewhere in Sweden too. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

November brings good things

I don't only teach in Sweden to visit Mozart the cat.

I also go to see these creatures.

Ancient labyrinth on top of a ridge in Vasteros.

Connecting hands in Aberdeenshire last week.

Aberdeenshire this weekend

I am back from Gothenburg but won't get a chance to post pics until tomorrow on the train to Aberdeen, as frankly I don't have one minute not accounted for, this month... However, it was a wonderful trip, great T'ai Chi with the students, friends seen, and much to come share and try out in Scotland. I have one 121 space left for Sunday morning, if anyone wants it. Hi to those in warmer climes who won't be with us this time... See you Friday night.

Next Gothenburg workshop

The next Gothenburg T'ai Chi workshops will take place 3-4th November. This is primarily for the study group in Sweden who have been working with me (and Mark at the Summer Intensive) for many years now. However, if you have experience for Long Form Yang Style T'ai Chi and pushing hands, and wish to come along, get in touch regarding suitability.

I am looking forward to seeing the group and doing some more great work together. I will also get my first chance to visit friends in Sweden and hopefully teach a taster class while I am there. More details soon.

Gothenburg

Thanks to the great Swedish students for their good work and lovely company. See you in the summer at Mark's workshop.

Gothenburg this weekend

I will sadly miss the Sword session as I will be in Gothenburg, there were just no other dates that worked for everyone. However, I am really looking forward to seeing the Swedish crew and getting their Form, Push Hands, Heartwork and Chi Gung going. Also, I am looking forward to fika.

Gothenburg and Shetland workshops

In my ongoing project to teach only in places with a high probability of damp, cool weather, I'll be teaching two days of workshops on 10am-5pm 1-2 April in Sweden. It's for a group who have studied with both me and Mark before. If you'll be in Gothenburg and want to attend, let me know. It won't be suitable for beginners, but for those with some experience.

Later this year I will be teaching some private 121s in the north west of Shetland from 4-7 July with someone who studied with John Kells many years ago. There will also be a chance to have an open session for any folks to attend. Do let me know if you are interested, date and time TBC.  No experience is necessary. 

I have actually taught T'ai Chi twice in warm places. My first ever lesson where I taught an adult was a to saddhu whilst travelling near Manali in India in 1989. The second time was by Lake Garda with Simon a few years ago. Both were great. Balmiest since then was probably 9 years of summers in Hackney, but hardly scorchio. 

Random (not fake) news

Off to bed early as it's a 5.45am start tomorrow to head north and teach in Scotland. Wish me luck with the weather and my sleepy head. I have lots of great stuff to share even just from this last week of classes with Mark. 

It's been really heartening being in touch with some of John's old students since he passed away, in what was otherwise a sad time. What an excellent bunch of people he drew to himself. I feel hugely grateful to have found this lineage.

I'll soon be teaching in Sweden again for the first time in some years. The students who came to the last summer workshop have got together to invite me over on 1-2 April. I am looking forward to it. April Fool's Day is an excellent day to work with this stuff. 

Lastly, if you forgot to order a calendar, I will make a new order on Tuesday, so let me know by then if you'd like one. 

We've had lovely best wishes for the workshop from Scott in Aberdeenshire and Anna in Sweden, who also sent this stunning picture from where she is:

We miss you both!

New T'ai Chi class in Gothenburg

In February, my good friend and long-time student Jonathan Monks, who also studies at The T'ai Chi Centre with my teacher, will finally start teaching his own classes in Gothenburg, Sweden. These classes will be open to complete beginners, so if you want to try T'ai Chi, now is your chance. He is an excellent teacher, has great T'ai Chi to pass on, and really understands posture, the benefits of softening, and connection. Here's a link to the details.

Jonathan, exiting stage left as I do Press.

Rolling split in Ward Off Right.

Split happens (to Johan) in old style Roll Back.

Photos from Sweden

Davina & Carmen

Carmen & Anna

Swimming companion

My bedroom on the rocks

Dawn view from the hut

Thank You - Sweden Workshops

This was the view from this year's Practice, Play, and Pause weekend in the West of Sweden. Thanks to the lovely people who came along and took part with such enthusiasm and openness. Most of all thanks to Anna Dahlman for organising everything and hosting Carmen and me. We had a fantastic time! Unfortunately I forgot to take a group photo, so instead here is a picture of Anna's younger son, Nils, learning sword form.

T'ai Chi in Sweden

Anna Dahlman has organised the 7th annual "Practice, Play, and Pause" weekend for the 4th & 5th of July. I'm delighted to be going to Sweden again this summer to instruct at the morning sessions assisted by Carmen. This is a relaxed exploration of softness and connection and no previous experience is required. I'll also be available for 121s or group sessions to play Push Hands and Form.

The weekend also includes afternoon Yoga sessions taught by the delightful Mithila who some of you may remember from the 5th Annual Intensive at Fetternear. All are welcome and if you're interested in coming, please contact Anna directly to book a place.

Accommodation request

I just received a lovely email from Anna Dahlman, our T'ai Chi friend in Gothenburg who came to the summer workshops  a few years ago and who hosts Davina in the Summer. She plans to come to London next month with her two (lovely) teenage daughters and is looking for somewhere to stay, and is happy to make a contribution. If you can put them up do get in touch the dates are: arriving Friday April 24 early evening and leaving Monday April 27 in the afternoon, so it’s three nights. Thanks!

Summer in Sweden dates

This year's weekend of Yoga, T'ai Chi, and Meditation - "Practice, Play, and Pause" - organised by Anna Dahlmann will on the 4th and 5th of July in Havstenssund. All welcome !

Watch this space for more details nearer the time. If you want more information please contact Anna.