Month: January 2023

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More Evidence for Benefits of Tai Chi

I know Richard posted this on the WhatsApp group but anyone who practices or is thinking of practising Tai Chi should have a listen to this episode of Just One Thing by Dr. Michael Mosely. It looks briefly at the growing evidence for the health benefits of the martial art of Tai Chi admittedly without any actual reference to the martial side!

There is a “taster” video on the BBC  Make Your Move webpages. It is simplified but gives an indication of one element of Tai Chi, the hand form, though it is not a  style I recognise and shows no martial intent. Michael also mentions a video on the NHS website but I cannot find it. Please let me know if you can.

If you want to see what our hand form looks like I suggest you visit Peter Ballam’s website or come to the King Alfred Leisure Centre any Thursday evening from 8-9pm and see it for real.

The health benefits are also real and it is a practical and effective martial art but you don’t have to do any actual fighting unless you really want to.  ; )

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Happy Chinese New Year of the Rabbit

Jade Rabbit pounding the Elixir of Life for the Moon Goddess Chang Er.

 

 

To celebrate the new year we will have a meal out on Friday 3rd February.  Details on WhatsApp Group.

2023 has started well with very good attendance on Thursdays at the King Alfred. However, disappointingly, only one new player so far this year, despite 3 indications of interest in a new beginners class. Never mind, we have a good little group learning the Short Form some of whom are close to the end of ‘Square Style’. I’m looking forward to rounding off their form in the coming months.

The monthly workshops for experienced practitioners re-started on Saturday 7th January and all, I think, found it really useful. I certainly did, in particular discovering I had changed an angle in the sword form! I am now struggling to correct this but it has inspired me to train harder. Next workshop is in Horsham on 4th February hosted by Peter Ballam – put it in your diary now! Lift available from Hove as usual.