If you’ve been wanting to give tai chi a try but not sure where to start, why not come along to our course on Saturday 6th June?
It’ll be at our usual class venue, Kings Heath Community Centre, from 10.30am-4.30pm. The centre is easily accessible from Kings Heath high street and there is parking available.
Beginners are welcome to join us and you can expect a relaxed day of training in Lee style tai chi, alongside students of the Taoist Cultural Arts Association and experienced teachers.
You can attend for a half day or full day and refreshments will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit this page of the TCAA website to get booked in:
After a marvellous Easter course in Falmouth, a new term has kicked off and we are looking forward to making the most of those long summer days.
This term’s newsletter reports on the recent Easter course, brings news of three upcoming Midlands courses and takes a look at what the TCAA taoist book club has been up to.
Students at the Easter course
Easter Course in Falmouth
Every year the Association hosts a week-long course during Easter week that’s attended by students from clubs across the country. This time around it was held in the Falmouth Hotel, right on the seafront on the beautiful Cornish coast. Over five days of training we practiced forms, trained in sticky hands and other partner exercises and even fit in some weapons training.
On the final day, we congratulated Karen on passing her yellow belt grading as well as James and Julie on being awarded their red belts.
News on the Summer course due to be held in July this year will be released soon, so watch this space.
Taoism Book Club
Taoism Book Club’s Next Book
Did you know the TCAA has a book club?
Tai chi is rooted in the ancient philosophy of taoism and its principles underpin our training. Last month the book club met virtually to discuss Hermann Hesse’s classic novel, Journey to the East, exploring its themes of self-discovery, spiritual journeys and the search for balance that resonates deeply with Taoist teachings.
Next time around the group will be reading another Hermann Hesse book; Siddhartha. The book blends Buddhist, Hindu, and Taoist thought, focusing on a spiritual journey toward enlightenment through personal experience.
The next meeting is on Friday 26th June at 6pm BST on a Whatapp group call. Contact the Association for more details or keep an eye on the Facebook page for further updates.
Upcoming Midlands Courses
Students at a course in Coventry
Building on the success of last term’s courses, the Coventry, Birmingham and Leamington Spa clubs will once again be hosting all-day tai chi courses this summer.
Coventry kicks things off later this month on Saturday 16th May, followed by Birmingham on 6th June, before Leamington holds two days of training in tai chi and kung fu weapons 4th-5th July.
If you’ve been to a class at your local club, you’ll find a typical day course follows a similar structure but allows the time to really focus and relax into things, as well as the opportunity to train with teachers and students from other clubs. For more information and to get booked on to the course visit this page on the association website: Weekend Course – Seahorse Arts
There’s the option to book for a half day or full day and tea will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch.Taoist Cultural Arts Association
What we do
The Taoist Cultural Arts Association was established in 2003 and organizes Tai Chi classes and courses around the UK, overseas and online. We also teach related Taoist Arts, including Classical Chinese Medicine, traditional weapons styles, and self-defence training.
The Taoist Cultural Arts Association is a not-for-profit company; our mission is to preserve and promote the Taoist Arts of the Lee style as taught by Chee Soo.To join the TCAA and become a member, please visit our website, or ask your teacher for more details.
Maybe it’s the change in seasons or the new year but things seem to have become busy.
Last month the Coventry club hosted a tai chi course around the time of Chinese New Year to kick off the year of the horse. It was a great chance for students from different clubs to train together and some of us went for a meal together afterwards to celebrate bringing in the new year.
The Birmingham class has been going from strength to strength. Early spring energy seems to have inspired many people to take up a new activity as we’ve seen a lot of beginners coming along to class to try tai chi for the first time.
If you’ve been thinking of giving us a try then now is a great time as you certainly won’t be the only beginner. One of the benefits of training with others in person is learning together and encouraging each other’s development.
Class is on at Kings Heath Community Centre every Wednesday 6.30-8.00pm and all are welcome.
Finally, there is another course coming up – this time over in Leamington Spa and as well as a day of tai chi on Saturday 21st March you can also try out kung fu training on Sunday 22nd March.
Lee style kung fu applies the same principles and stances as we use in our tai chi classes and is a great complement to your training.
There are less than two weeks left now until our day course at Kings Heath Community Centre on Saturday 31st January.
The Birmingham club has hosted weekend courses before, but this will be the first time we’ll hold one at the community centre, the same venue where our weekly tai chi classes are held on Wednesday evenings.
So what happens on one of these courses?
Well, it’s essentially the same format as our weekly classes; a gentle but invigorating warm up followed by practicing the tai chi dance and partner exercises that build energy during the morning, then in the afternoon the focus is on our kai men and dao yin breathing exercises followed by the tai chi form.
The difference being that with the course stretching from 11am til 4pm, it really allows you to take your time a bit more and focus on the detail of what you’re learning. It’s also great working with students and teachers from other clubs and of course, we make plenty of time for tea breaks and some friendly chat 🙂
Beginners are very welcome too – it’s a great way to get an introduction to what it’s all about.
If you’d like to join us for a day or even just a half day, you can book through this page:
One of the key elements of Tai Chi is the concept of Qi, which is often translated as energy. In this blog post, we will explore the role of Qi in Tai Chi practice and how it can help you improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.
What is Qi?
Qi is a fundamental concept in Chinese culture and traditional medicine. It is often translated as “life force” or “vital energy,” and is believed to be the motive force of all living things. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Qi flows through the body along specific pathways known as meridians. When Qi is flowing freely, a person is healthy and balanced. When Qi is blocked or deficient, illness and disease can occur.
In Tai Chi, Qi is often described as the energy that powers the movements of the body. It is said to flow through the body in a smooth and continuous manner, creating a sense of internal harmony and balance. The goal of Tai Chi practice is to cultivate and harmonize Qi, allowing it to flow freely throughout the body.
The Three Treasures: Jing, Qi, and Shen
In traditional Chinese medicine, Qi is one of three fundamental substances known as the Three Treasures. The other two treasures are Jing and Shen. Jing is the stored essence of the body, including the bones, marrow, and reproductive fluids. Shen is the spirit or consciousness, including emotions, thoughts, and perceptions.
The three treasures are intimately connected, and each one affects the others. For example, when Jing is strong and healthy, it can support the cultivation of Qi and Shen. When Qi is flowing freely, it can nourish Jing and support the health of the body. When Shen is calm and peaceful, it can help to harmonize Qi and Jing.
In Tai Chi, the cultivation of Qi is seen as a way to harmonize and balance all three treasures, leading to improved health and well-being.
Cultivating Qi in Tai Chi Practice
There are many ways to cultivate Qi in Tai Chi practice. Here are some key principles to keep in mind:
Relaxation: Tai Chi movements should be performed in a relaxed and fluid manner. Tension in the body can block the flow of Qi, so it is important to let go of any unnecessary tension.
Breath Control: The breath is closely connected to Qi. In Tai Chi, the breath should be slow, deep, and relaxed, with an emphasis on exhaling fully to release stale air and toxins from the body.
Concentration: Tai Chi is often described as a moving meditation. It is important to focus the mind on the movements and sensations of the body, allowing distractions to fade away.
Visualization: Many Tai Chi practitioners use visualization techniques to help cultivate Qi. For example, imagining a ball of light moving through the body along the meridians can help to enhance the flow of Qi.
Cultivating Qi
Cultivating Qi in Tai Chi practice can have many benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are just a few examples:
Improved Energy: When Qi is flowing freely, it can increase energy levels and reduce fatigue.
Reduced Stress: Tai Chi practice has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, which can be beneficial for overall health and well-being.
Improved Balance: Tai Chi movements are slow and deliberate, which can improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, especially in older adults.
Enhanced Immune Function: Cultivating Qi can boost the immune system, helping to prevent illness and disease.
Cultivating Qi can improve physical, mental, and emotional health, and is a key factor in the overall benefits of Tai Chi. By incorporating principles such as relaxation, breath control, awareness, and visualization into your Tai Chi practice, you can enhance the flow of Qi throughout your body and reap the many benefits that come with it.
If you’re interested in learning more about Tai Chi and how to cultivate Qi, consider joining a Tai Chi class. A skilled instructor can guide you through the movements and help you develop a deeper understanding of the role of Qi in Tai Chi practice. With regular practice and dedication, you can unlock the power of Qi and experience the many benefits that Tai Chi has to offer.
