TAI CHI
ÂŁ3.50
USA $8.75 CAN $10.25
& Alternative HeaIth
Issue 63
Events Rabbit and DaZhuang
Posture Testing:
Chinese Zodiac Tai Chi Classics
Bak Hok Leung Che
Training Tips: To Teach Or Not To Teach
Health Effects Of Tai Chi Chuan TCAH Open Residential Tai Chi Retreats 2011
US
Tai Chi Practitioner Profiles
Special TCAH Open Tai Chi Retreats 2010 Thurs,16th - 23rd December
Take time off to relax, energise and de-stress yourself. Be in harmony with your mind, body and spirit For more details check out pages 58-59 or email us at: info@johndingacademy.com
TAI CHI & Alternative Health Editor -in-Chief :
CONTENTS
Master John Ding
Editorial Group : Dr. Alan Ding, Robert Appleson, Doosyant Mahaedoe , Ken Young, P. Kennedy, Nick Cheang,
I s s u e 62 NEWS & REVIEWS
Technical Advisors Master Ding & Dr. Alan Ding Contributors Dr.Alan Ding, James Mills, Nick Cheang, Brian McDonald, Gordon Faulkner, Georg Patzer, Gwilym Panah Williams,
4 Editorial 5 Calligraphy 6 The Nature Of Tai Chi 10 Tai Chi profiles
Design & Layout Genevieve Crooks Front cover Stone Forest in Kunming, China. Picture taken by Sifu Ding
THEORY & APPLICATION
Correspondence Address The Editor, Tai Chi & Alternative Health, PO Box 6404, London E18 1EX, United Kingdom Tel : +44(0) 20 8502 9307 email:TCAH@taichiwl.demon.co.uk http://www.taichiwl.demon.co.uk Published quarterly by: Tai Chi Worldwide Ltd, Maybank House, Unit C, 208 Maybank Road, South Woodford, London E18 1ET, United Kingdom. (Tel / Fax as above) Tai Chi & Alternative Health ISSN 1355-8307
Printed in UK by: The Magazine Printing Company Plc Tel: 020 8805 5000 www.magprint.co.uk Distribution: U.K. Diamond Magazine Distribution Ltd, Rye Wharf, Harbour Road, Rye TN31 7LR Tel: 01797 225229 email: diamondmags@btconnect.com USA Source Interlink Companies 27500 Riverview Center Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 239-949-4450 ext 6820 Advertising Section : Genevieve Crooks +44 (0)208- 502 9307 or email: advert@taichiwl.demon.co.uk Copyright is held by the publisher. No reproduction is permitted whatsoever without prior written authorisation of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject editorial or advertising material. No responsibility can be accepted for the return of unsolicited material. However, the publisher will try to return such material providing a SAE is enclosed. Any material accepted may be revised or altered should the publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting articles shall be considered an express warranty that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of others. The views or comments expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.
22 Tai Chi Chuan classics 24 Making Tai Chi More Through Less 28 Letting Go And Tai Chi
SPECIAL EVENTS 58
The special 2010 Open TCAH Tai Chi Chuan Residential Retreats, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
OTHERS 16 34 36 39 42 60 62
JDIATCC Events Open August’10 Retreat Comments Poster - Tai Chi Principles Managing Stress with Qigong Complementary Health Books Tai Chi Clubs’ Directory Chi Kung, Tai Chi & Other Martial Arts Books
Editorial ‘Back to basics!’
The next issue 62 will be on sale late Feb 2011 If you have any comments, suggestions, or if you wish to submit an article for consideration, please address your correspondence to: THE EDITOR, TCAH Magazine PO Box 6404, London E18 1EX or email us at TCAH@taichiwl.demon. co.uk Please enclose an SAE with all correspondence. Any relevant news items you feel would be of interest to our readers may also be forwarded to the Editor. Items must be received by 15/1/11 for possible inclusion in ISSUE 63
is a saying commonly heard in all aspects of our life – but is it a phrase we truly comprehend or is it something that the majority of us simply gloss over and assume we understand. To advance in any field, one must first have sound understanding and comprehension of the basics. Without a solid grasp of the basics, foundations are weak and subsequent growth and development is impeded - your true potential being unrealised. Training in real Tai Chi Chuan is no different. Many fall into the trap, neglecting the fundamentals and instead favour hoarding an ever increasing catalogue of forms and movements, seeing this as progression and accomplishment. True achievement in Tai Chi Chuan demands that we use a form with or without a weapon, as a tool to help integrate and refine the Tai Chi principles and concepts. The core to having a good grasp of Tai Chi Chuan, is to have insight and understanding of the principles and concepts within a form, develop their subtleties and then translate those ideals into situations outside form practice. It is a journey that requires a lifetime’s training. At a higher level, Tai Chi Chuan has no need for a form - it is simply applied principles. In this issue, once again we have numerous practitioners sharing their experiences of how Tai Chi has integrated into their daily lives. I would like to extend a warm welcome all our new contributors: Gordon Faulkner, Principal Instructor of the Chanquanshu School of Daoist Arts, gives us an introduction to using the ancient Chinese practice of Qigong to manage stress; Brian McDonald’s article on ‘Letting go and Tai Chi’ was inspired by the articles from the last issue. He looks at ‘letting go’ with particular reference to the practice of Tai Chi and examines how the ego affects our training; Gwilym Panah Williams, a qualified massage therapist and martial arts practitioner shares his view of the nature of Tai Chi - hopefully stripping away some of the preconceptions of Tai Chi. Nick Cheang continues to provide more training tips - Making Tai Chi more through less. He focuses on the need to grasp a good understanding of the basics to achieve natural simplicity, and also stresses the importance of knowing what you are doing and why. We also continue with Grandmaster Ip’s interpretation of Wang Tsung Yueh’s Old classic manual and his calligraphy. As this will be our last issue for year 2010, all of us here would like to take this opportunity to thank all our readers for their support towards the Tai Chi and Alternative Health magazine.
g n i D . J S i f u Editor-in-Chief
Best wishes to all of you and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you all in 2011
CONTRIBUTORS’ GUIDELINES
4
PRESENTATION: All submissions from 500 - 1400 words must be typed for use in Adobe Indesign CS4 compatible format (for example Write, Word for Windows, Word Perfect, etc.). Please do not send in hand written submissions. Good quality photographs or line drawings/graphics are always welcome. Please include background information on the author. CONTENT : We are primarily interested in the following: discussions on aspects of theory or philosophy, practical information/training methods, background history, the difference in approach of various styles, practitioners’ experiences including thoughts feelings,apprehensions about Tai Chi and it’s practice, practice and theory of other internal arts. We also welcome articles on health topics, whether theoretical or practical.Please do not feel that you have to have had years of experience in order to write. We are just as interested in hearing from the beginner as well as the instructor. Please note that we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your article or return it unless an SAE is enclosed. Alternatively, you can also email us the information. We would also ask that articles are exclusive to TCAH and have not been published previously.
TAI TAI CHI CHI & & Alternative Alternative Health Health :: Issue Issue 62 62
Tai Chi
Chinese Calligraphy written by the late Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak
Literal Translation: Expand the back at *Meng Moon point, Send forward the tail bone. To create tenacious power. Waist retort, body leaning, Simultaneously align the shoulders when in advance or retreat Note: * Meng Moon - acupuncture point
5
The W Nature of Tai Chi
e all know, or think we know, what “Tai Chi” or “Tai Chi Chuan” is: an internal martial art/system of exercise from China, comprised of slow movements performed in a relaxed manner. But what is the nature of Tai Chi? To ascertain such we need to strip away some of the preconceptions, gloss and spin that has stuck to this great art like barnacles to a ship’s hull.
by Gwilym Panah Williams
6
Firstly, we must strip away the notion that Tai Chi is slow. There is nothing slow about tai chi. The only reason the movements of the various forms are performed slowly is to allow the
practitioner to: build correct alignments within the body, harmonise the mind and the body together and gain the full benefits of the gentle stretching and torque built into the movements, which improve health and massage the internal organs. But, Tai Chi is not slow. When used in self defence, Tai Chi can be lightning fast. In fact, practice of Tai Chi allegedly makes the central nervous system more efficient according to various American studies (feel free to Google them). A more efficient central nervous system will make your reflexes quicker not slower. Also, any long term tai chi practitioner will tell you that Tai Chi makes them feel a lot younger and
more clear headed, anything but slow. Much of the real nature of Tai Chi was initially lost when sieved through the cultural colander of the West. Folks in the West didn’t readily get it. Their minds were more attuned to ideas like: “what you see is what you get”, “time is money”, “seeing is believing”, “glossy is good…” etc. The true nature of Tai Chi is far removed from the type of thinking that is impressed by bigger, bolder, quicker, shinier. Indeed, although practising the art of Tai Chi will bring many instant benefits, the deeper more longstanding effects of Tai Chi come only after long, dedicated, heartfelt prac-
“.. the art of Tai Chi will bring many instant benefits, the deeper more longstanding effects of Tai Chi come only after long, dediated, heartfelt practising ...”
TAI CHI CHI & & Alternative Alternative Health Health :: Issue TAI Issue 62 62
Tai Chi
7
“ Tai Chi is concerned with creating all-over well-being and working on the body as a whole ”
8
tice. To truly understand the nature of tai chi, we need to divest ourselves of western attitudes, even if temporarily. When I began to learn Tai Chi properly, my teacher told me … “Tai chi comes from Chinese culture…Tai Chi is Chinese culture…” He was very wise and he was very right. So, what is Chinese culture? Well, to begin with there is a sense of keeping the body healthy that was not in-built in the west. By keeping the body healthy I mean that your daily practices promote good health and well-being - not necessarily the same thing as paying for a gym membership and running on a treadmill once a week. It means being aware of your diet, your breath, your stress
levels, any aches and pains etc. It means ensuring that you feel good as well as just being given a clean bill of health by your GP. Feeling, ‘sensing’, your level of wellbeing is important. It means considering your body as a whole too, not just as the sum of many parts. You want to keep the whole body feeling healthy and the whole body includes the mind and the emotions, the entirety. This is the holistic approach that Traditional Chinese Medicine was famed for. Well, this is tai chi! Tai Chi is concerned with creating all-over well-being and working on the body as a whole. Tai Chi has this TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) culture within it. They go together, hand-in-
hand. Tai Chi also contains the concept of balance that is so vital to TCM. In Tai Chi’s case we seek balance between rooting and moving, lightness and heaviness, weight and weightlessness, action and non-action, opening and closing; always balancing light and shade. Balance is invaluable for life not just health. Tai Chi will teach you balance. Tai Chi is not about instant results. It is about planting a seed and nurturing it to grow. After all, it was the Chinese who invented the ‘beautiful garden’; it was the Japanese who imitated the Chinese culture of the beautiful garden in creating their flawless Zen and tea gardens. After all, it is an old Chinese saying that says: “your life
begins the day you plant your first garden.” The Chinese will wait for progress knowing that the deeper the roots sink, the higher the tree can grow. Whereas in the West there is a tendency to demand results now, now, NOW! The true nature of tai chi is in waiting for the results to come from much practice and contemplation, like a good gardener who tends and prunes his shrubs and trees with tender love and care. You take the art of Tai Chi and drink it deep into your being. It will warm you slowly over a whole lifetime and cause you to live long and contentedly. Plant your Tai Chi garden today… So, we strip away some of the preconceptions and yet we are still left with the
ultimate question: what is the nature of Tai Chi? Tai Chi in Chinese Taoist philosophy is that moment when ‘Wuji,’ the undifferentiated void, becomes differentiated into Yin and Yang. The two have not yet separated. They are still blended together in a perfect equilibrium of dark and light. But they have come out of a place where there was no difference, no-thing. Now there is difference, now there is yin and yang: this is Tai Chi. So, the art of Tai Chi is about holding the Yin and Yang together. The best way to do this is by understanding how Yin works and how Yang works. Then you are better able to blend them together, work with them together; hold them together. This is the nature of the art of Tai Chi…Happy Training.
TAI CHI CHI & & Alternative Alternative Health Health :: Issue TAI Issue 62 62
Tai Chi
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gwilym Panah Williams started training in martial arts when he was thirteen years old. Having studied judo, karate, jujitsu etc, he turned his attentions to Chinese Southern styles gong fu and later the internal arts of Baguazhang, Tai Chi and Xingyi. He studied these internal disciplines in China along with Qigong and healing arts. He currently practices the healing and stress-relief aspects of these arts and is also a fully qualified massage therapist. He can be contacted via email: ghostwolf@live.co.uk www.ghostwolfgongfu.com
9
Tai Chi Practitioner
Profiles Name: Giuseppe Possemato Age group: 41-50 Profession:
Musician, music teacher, Tai Chi Chuan instructor.
How long have you been studying Tai Chi? Giuseppe
Barbara
10
“ In every discipline you get to the point in which you need to invest large amounts of time and energy into what seems to be little progress ”
13 years.
How did you get interested?
I started with Shotokan karate at 12 as well as various excursions into some of the styles of Kung Fu. I was basically looking for that most precious element of martial arts – chi. After 23 years of karate and at 3rd Dan, I was disappointed and disillusioned with their approach to developing the infamous ki, or internal energy, had brought me little or nothing in the way of tangible results. This quest is really what brought me to Tai Chi.
Was it what you expected?
My wish is to be able to cultivate the most important human qualities, encompassing all aspects – physical, mental and spiritual – with the understanding that it is only through the balance of these aspects that one can hope to reach full realisation.
What benefits have you gained? Tai Chi has allowed me to get very close to my goals. Initially,
Tai Chi gave me only a sort of 'softening' and continuity in my movements. Later on, I also found a sense of centeredness and stability which extended to all other areas of my life, making its effects more tangible and not just metaphoric. Finally, and only under the right guidance and instruction, I have seen my strength increase, health improve and achieved better results in the applications, as well as a greater sense of calm in respect of life's events.
What is the most difficult part of training? The hardest part of training and the greatest danger is recognising and learning how to deal with one's ego in relation to the achievement of results. I believe it is healthy to cultivate an attitude – and sort of an awareness – that we don’t really know anything at all. In relation to the depth of the teachings, one can only feel like a novice or a child taking its first steps. The wealth of knowledge to which we are exposed is so vast that one can only hope to move in the right direction. This makes consistency in our practice all the more challenging.
What advice do you have for: a) Beginners
Experiment and enjoy with every part of your being, even
when you don't understand quite what you're doing or know whether you're doing it right or wrong.
b) Intermediate
This is a turning point. And it is precisely at this moment that you really have to hang in there. If you've made it this far without giving up, it means you believe in what you do and can practise with a passion. Keep up the good work, as results are just around the corner.
TAI CHI & Alternative Health : Issue 62
Tai Chi Profiles
c) Advanced level
Here things get a little harder and progress is not so easy to decipher. You need to take time to decide what is really important in your life. Once you have decided, go for it for all its worth and grasp every opportunity to practise. In every discipline you get to the point in which you need to invest large amounts of time and energy into what seems to be little progress. However, it is precisely these seemingly little steps that make all the difference.
Name: Barbara O’Brien Age group: 41- 50 Profession:
Complementary therapist
How long have you been studying Tai Chi? 15 years
How did you get interested?
I stumbled across it by chance, when my yoga teacher announced that he was starting a Tai Chi class for beginners. I decided to go.
Was it what you expected? I was only curious.
What benefits have you gained?
The first benefits were that my
11
Andreas
Jo
legs strengthened and posture improved, and the tension began to leave my shoulders. Push hands exercises have helped me to appreciate the interaction of energies between different people, learning to use softness and making sure my posture is correct. Regular form practice has been good for my wellbeing – I am generally energised and very healthy. If I do get a cold, I get over it within a couple of days. Mentally, focusing on the form helps me to eliminate thoughts about what’s going on in my busy life. On an emotional level I incorporate the principles of yin and yang and have become more in tune with my surroundings and myself, so my confidence has improved. I find that the energy of Tai Chi is very healing and helps to create a good connection with my clients.
What is the most difficult part of training? Bruno
12
“Tai Chi helped me become strong and positive again. It gives me positive daily challenges”
There are times when I am frustrated at not ‘getting’ some aspects of Tai Chi but I know that, as I continue, things do become clearer and that I am always improving, although so gradually that it is not necessarily immediately noticeable.
What advice do you have for : a) beginners:
Be patient with yourself. Go on your own journey – don’t compare yourself with your neighbour. Practise the movements of the form often. This takes very little time and helps with your progress. Enjoy the experience.
b) intermediate:
Keep practising. Keep an open mind: as things change the more you progress. Be willing to embrace new ideas. Make sure you have a good teacher.
c) Advanced:
Keep practising. Integrate the 10 principles into your Tai Chi.
Name: Andreas Toschki Age group: 41-50 Profession: Ecologist
How long have you been studying Tai Chi? Nine years
How did you get interested?
I was always fascinated by Chinese people practising Tai Chi on television. While out walking with a friend, she told me about the fighting skills of Tai Chi masters and their sensitivity. I knew Tai Chi was what I should do.
Was it what you expected?
I had no real expectations of how I might reach the goal of becoming sensitive and powerful at the same time. I thought it was a myth. After my first workshop with Sifu Ding, I knew it was no myth.
What benefits have you gained?
Most of all, Tai Chi Chuan gave me back the real thread of life. After some health problems and life crisis, Tai Chi helped me become strong and positive again. It gives me positive daily challenges.
What is the most difficult part of training? Enjoying the moment and not focusing on the targets. To train without compromise while keeping the balance of every day life.
What advice do you have for : a) beginners : Be open minded and try it. You will see and feel the results.
b) intermediate
Train regularly and integrate your training into your daily life. Try to follow what your teacher/ master says and not what you think he or she means.
c) advanced
Go ahead and train – when you are stuck, ask your master.
Name : Jo Leversuch
how to be patient and stick to it.
b. intermediate:
Practise, practise, practise and work with many people with different levels of experience
c. advanced:
It’s all in the Chi Kung and plenty of practise
Name: Bruno Reinert
Age group : 31-40
Age group: 41-50
Profession :
Profession:
NHS worker, freelance makeup artist
Physician
4. How long have you been studying Tai Chi?
How long have you been studying Tai Chi?
Three years
Eleven years
How did you get interested?
How did you get interested?
A friend started classes and I went along to support him. Ever since, I’ve been hooked.
Was it what you expected?
It’s far more than I ever expected. After studying yoga for years and always putting up with niggling injuries, Tai Chi and Chi Kung are a breath of fresh air.
What benefits have you gained?
Helping to release blocked energy and gaining strength from within, which has made me feel calmer and more relaxed about life. Tai Chi has made my body stronger and my injuries are less frequent. I’ve gained confidence and meeting like-minded people is wonderful.
What is the most difficult part of training? The study of Chi Kung
What advice do you have for: a. beginners: Patience is a virtue.
TAI CHI & Alternative Health : Issue 62
Tai Chi Profiles
Learn
I was on a Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture course, which I did for my profession, when we were shown some Chi Kung moves. I was hooked at once by the gentle, fluent movements, the relaxation and quietness of mind. When I started to read more about Chi Kung, I found out that Tai Chi was based on the same principles but was a fighting art and as I had practised Judo and Karate in my youth, I found the combination of martial arts and Chi Kung striking. But it took a long time to find a teacher who could really show me how it worked. At that time I also had great problems with osteoarthritis in my hip. I could not do much in the way of sports, or even stand for long, so I was not even sure I could physically even start to learn Tai Chi.
Was it what you expected?
Not at first. In the first school I visited, we did very good Chi Kung for relaxation but never got past that point. In the second school, we did beautiful Tai Chi but never touched
13
Kornelia
Ivan
“Don’t be too impatient. There is no shortcut so don’t believe those who think they have found one”
each other – it was merely choreography and empty of the crucial element. You need to find a teacher who has the knowledge, the ability and the wish to pass it on to you.That was difficult but now my expectations are surpassed and I do not just learn a beautiful art but have become part of a big family too.
Don't be too impatient. There is no shortcut so don't believe those who think they have found one. Rather, enjoy the journey and the benefits you will soon see in your daily life. Take the senior practitioners as role models. What they can perform now, you will be able to do, too, after a while.
What benefits have you gained?
Don't do too many things. The Tai Chi system contains a lot of exercises, forms and drills. Don't try to do everything at once. Instead, build on what you know and can perform already. That will help you to learn new forms, exercises or applications because the principles are all the same.
Tai Chi has a positive impact on almost everything I do. I can do more professionally, I can focus better on things I want and let unimportant things be. Physically, I learned to deal with my limitations a lot better and improved in fields, I would not have thought of. For example, I can swim for much longer now because I use less force; or when I am scuba diving with a group of people, I always pick the bottle with the least air in it because I am relaxed and breathe so slowly that I am always the one with the most air left at the end of the dive. In short, for me Tai Chi is a perfect way to relax, calm the mind, feel better and stronger in my body, gain more self-confidence, learn how to defend myself and have a lot of fun.
What is the most difficult part of training? Tai Chi takes a lot of time to practise. Finding time in a crowded day can be hard. Also, progress is slow. You only realise how far you've come when you look back to where you started.
What advice do you have for: a. Beginners
Enjoy the beautiful movements and don`t be afraid to make mistakes.
14
b. Intermediate
c. Advanced
Name: Kornelia Franz Age group: Over 60 Profession:
Medical research assistant
How long have you been studying Tai Chi? Five years
How did you get interested?
I was always fascinated when I saw Chinese people or others doing Tai Chi on TV or at the cinema. When I visited China, it was impressive to see people practising in the early morning in the parks or during the day in the open street, in a concentrated and calm manner.
Was it what you expected? I was just curious.
What benefits have you gained?
Tai Chi has had a great influence in my life. As well as bodily benefits, I have become more patient with myself and others. I’ve learned to relax in a lot of situations, so I can better manage daily problems. I feel more self-confident, socia-
Tai Chi Tai Chi Profiles ble and able to remain calm.
interest in playing guitar.
What is the most difficult part of training?
Was it what you expected?
To do all the postures absolutely relaxed and to remember all the important details at the same time. Perhaps most difficult is to feel the centre and to work with it.
What advice do you have for a) beginners
Never give up, because there are more periods of disappointment than of success.
After my first encounter, my search ended. During my practice I'm discovering more and more. Every new achievement encourages me to do more, to see what else will happen. I always trust that Tai Chi Chuan will show me something new.
What benefits have you gained?
b) intermediate
I feel more aware of myself, of the point where I am. I also have a better understanding of what is going on around me, and who the people are around me. I enjoy life more. I can work with less effort and I feel calm. Bad news doesn't disturb me too much.
c) advanced level
What is the most difficult part of training?
You have to find the right moment when your body and mind are ready to learn without force. Avoid over-doing and under-doing. I do not feel competent to give advice to advanced people, but I think it is important always to look for persons from whom one can learn more, and never stop learning.
Name: Ivan Cardillo Age group: 21-30
Profession:
PhD law student
How long have you been studying Tai Chi? Three years
How did you first get interested?
I practised other martial arts including Shotokan Karate and Shaolin Kung Fu without satisfaction. At the same time, I always cultivated a strong interest in Chinese philosophy and more generally towards Chinese cultural heritage. I believe these things should be able to be combined as the various expressions of the same wisdom. I finally found Tai Chi Chuan, through an old
To follow the guidelines and the advice, and not be distracted from what I think should be the goal of the exercise. To do the training in the right way and let the training live and react freely so I can grow through my practice.
9. What advice do you have for: a) beginners
Enjoy the practice. Be curious and patient. Don't rush, take your time and be confident that all your efforts will bring good results.
b) intermediate
You are on the way. Don't stop, work harder and harder. Always refine your practice.
c) advanced level
Never feel satisfied with yourself. Tai Chi Chuan always has a new surprise for you.
15
JOHN DING INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TAI CHI CHUAN for excellent training in all aspects of the Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Limehouse Basin, 5 Branch Road, Limehouse, London E14 7JU. Tel :020 7780 1818 email: info@ johndingacademy.com
Master John Ding 6th Generation Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
Master Classes Seminars 2010/11
December 2010:
Thurs 16th –Thur, 23rd Open Master Classes Tai Chi Residential Retreat 2011
Open to all levels with or without Tai Chi expereince. Check page 58-59 for details or email us
January’11: Sat, 8th Ta Lu & Applications
Thurs, 13th – 16th
Early payment before 1st Dec’10 : Members: £50 Others: £70
For more details of the course refer to page 17
Special Course: Yang Sword Form(4 days intensive course)
February: Sat, 5th – 6th Tai Chi Self-defence Applications
Another opportunity to experience a deeper understanding of Tai Chi applications as an effective form of self-defence on the 2 days intensive course. Places are limited. Course fee: Early payment before 25th Jan 2011 Members: £130 Others: £160 Payment after this dateline: Members: £160 Others: £180
May: Sat, 7th
Fri, 20th - 22nd
Tai Chi Spiral Concept and Applications
Early payment before 1st April
Contact Mike Watson :01642 653 154
Members: £50 Others: £70
Hartlepool Open Weekend Masterclasses
June: Sat, 18th -19th Tai Chi for Health ( 2 days intensive course )
For further details see page 54 July: Sat, 2nd Tai Chi Principles & Concepts Early payment before 1st Jun’11 Members: £50 Others: £70 Thurs, 7th – 10th Special Master Class: Dao (Broadsword) Form (4 days intensive course) This course is for students who have a least 2 years experience in Tai Chi and wishing to learn a practical weapon form as an extension to the normal hand form. It is also suitable for students or instructors, who have previously learnt the Dao form and to improve their deeper understanding of the Dao through subtle form corrections and applications. Course fee: Early payment before 1st Jun’ 10 Members: £400 Non-members: £500 Payment after this dateline: Members: £450 Non-members: £550
August: 20th -27th
Open Tai Chi Residential Retreat 2011
Another chance for a week of Tai Chi training with Master Ding and his instructors. Open to all levels with or without Tai Chi expereince. Check page 58-59 for details or email us
September: Sat, 2nd Tai Chi Principles & Concepts – Chum & Soong
Sat, 23rd -24th
October: Sat,1st
Early payment before 1st Aug’11 Members: £50 Non-members: £70
Louth Weekend Open Master Classes
Contact John & Nicky Clarkson : johnrclarkson@btinternet.com
Stick applications based on Tai Chi principles Early payment before 1st Aug : Members: £50 Others: £70
November: Sat, 5th Push hands and Applications
December:
Early payment before 1st Oct : Members: £50 Others: £70
Thurs 15th –Thur, 22nd Master course at the Open Tai Chi Residential Retreat 2011
Open to all levels with or without Tai Chi expereince. Check page 58-59 for details or email us
Course fee for Sat workshop only:
JDIATCC members - £60 Others - £80
Special Discount for early payment please check information Contact us for fees on other courses
These seminars are suitable for practitioners of all styles and levels and are held at the John Ding Academy, Limehouse from 10am - 4pm unless otherwise specified. Places are limited. All early payments to be made payable to TCWL and post it to TCWL, P.O.Box 6404, London E18 1EX or pay by online banking to our account: Account Name: Tai Chi Worldwide Limited Bank: Natwest Account No: 81506880 Sort code: 60-23-34 Note: Please ring two weeks in advance to check if the course is still running as they may be cancelled due to unforseen circumstances
Special Master Class Yang Style Sword Form
( 4 days intensive course) Date: 13th - 16th January 2011 Time: 10am - 4pm Venue: John Ding Academy, London
Master Alan Ding demonstrating a sword posture The above course is an intensive course conducted by Master John Ding. It is open to all Tai Chi practitioners who have a few years of experience in Tai Chi. Weapon forms are an extension to the normal hand form. It is also suitable for students or instructors, who have previously learnt the sword form and requires a deeper understanding of the sword form through sword corrections and basic applications.
Course fee:
Early payment before 31st December 2010 : Members: £400 Non-members: £500 Payment after this dateline : Members: £450 Non-members: £550 Places on the course is limited. You are advised to book early. If you are interested in attending the course, do contact us by
email: info@johndingacademy.com or ring us at : 020 7780 1818
17
Study
Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan JDIATCC was founded by John Ding to promote the with Sifu Ding Master practice of all apsects of the Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
Q
uality instructions for complete beginner ro Advanced level are available at Master Ding full-time Academies based in London or with his trained and registered instructors at different branches in UK and Europe.
SEMINARS
In additional to our daily Tai Chi classes, regular seminars are also held at John Ding Academy, Limehouse HQ by Sifu Ding. He is also available to conduct Tai Chi seminars (covering all aspects of Tai Chi Chuan) in your club for your members in all areas or countries.
INSTRUCTOR COURSE
JDIATCC
JOHN DING INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TAI CHI CHUAN
JDIATCC welcomes all Tai Chi instructors or practitioners with at least 3/4 years experience in the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan wishing to train up as qualified instructors of The Academy. As a qualified JDIATCC instructor you will continue to receive on going training in all aspects of the Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. For more details about seminars or other courses, please contact us by phone or email: info@johndingacdemy.com
Sifu John Ding
Sixth Generation Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan & First Disciple of Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak, Fifth Generation Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan 18
The practice of Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is more than exercise or as said in the Tai Chi classics, “ The subtlety of Tai Chi Chuan is such that a small error in the beginning, will take you a long way from the end goal”.
+44(0) 20 780 1818 / 20 8502 9307 or info
JOHN DING ACADEMY HQ Limehouse Basin, 5, Branch Road, Limehouse, London E14 7JU
(Nearest Tube : Limehouse DLR / Rail Station) Tel: +44(0)20 7780 1818
South Woodford Academy Maybank House, Unit C, 208 Maybank Rd, South Woodford, London E18 1ET. ( Nearest tube : South Woodford Station )
Tel: +44(0)20 8502 9307
Day And Evening Classes Available At Both Of Our Full-Time Academies
email: info@johndingacademy.com Dublin www.johndingacademy.com / www.jdiatcc.com
Authorised instructors of the Academy
Location
Instructor
Other London Areas
Hendon Stratford Wanstead
Other Areas
Telephone
Robert Appleson 020 8349 1957 Ko Poon 07944 052 201 Ken Young 020 8989 5793
Datchworth, Herts Liz Welch 01992 550 405 Dawen Manik Nicholson 01254 776 392 Canewdon Village Jan Banfield 01702 206 634 County Durham Jamie Muir 07970 103 440 Darlington Mike Watson 01642 653 154 Danbury Richard Warner 01245 222 819 Edenbridge,Kent Judy-Lorraine Hewitt 01732 868 272 Great Bentley(Nr. Colchester) Dave Allen 01206 255 007 Guildford Alex Swainson 07812 469 133 Hartlepool Mike Watson 01642 653 154 Hertford Liz Welch 01992 550 405 Hook, Hampshire Russell Phillips 01256 761 877 Leigh-on-Sea David Puncher 01268 770 318 Louth, Lincolnshire John & Nikki Clarkson 01507 608 461 Manchester Bryan Nuttall 01772 252 611 Middlesborough David Long 01924 260 831 Northampton Nick Cheang 07984 748 712 Newcastle Dave Robinson 07909 715 202 Norfolk Cosmo Stephanides 07775 691 273 Norfolk Sally Leich 01842 878 246 Oxted, Surrey Judy-Lorraine Hewitt 01732 868 272 Preston Bryan Nuttall 01772 252 611 Southend-On-Sea Jan Banfield 01702 206 634 Stockton-on-Tees Mike Watson 01642 653 154 Sunderland Jamie Muir 07970 103 440 Waterford, Herts Liz Welch 01992 550 405 Wimbledon Michael Burke-Velji 0208 989 5793 Yorkshire Glen Jenkins 07882 468991 East Yorkshire Christine Hogg 07950 647857
Guernsey
Jill Barnicoat 07781 118969 Rick Fletcher 07781 404856
Ireland www.taichiireland.com Cork City Cork City
Peter O’Donoghue 021 4501 600 Roisin Collins 021 4500 552 Cork - Douglas Maurice Shanahan 086 1714 634 Cork - Centre Bernie Connole 086 8113 526 Cork - Ballincollig Brian O’Leary 087 4187 237 Cork - Farran Johnny Houlihan 086 6061 844 Cork - Glanmire John Buckley 086 8058 533 West Cork - Bandon Mary Niles 087 2492 921 West Cork - Ahillies Sandy Hudson sandy@taichiireland.com
North Kildare
Ross Cousens 0877 527 013 Chris Davala 012 801 740 Sean Aylward 0879 670 933 Sheila O’leary 0877 595 419 Mark Brady mark@taichiireland.com Brian McDonald 0863 527 527
Germany www.jdiatcc.de
Baden Baden Kristen Hartmann: faecherfrau@t-online.de Bad Wildbad - Nonnenmiss Nicole Demle : maisonsanssouci@web.de Berlin Christof Vollrath : www.taichichuan-berlin.de Bonn Simone Koch : www.dae-mahng.de Düsseldorf Mathias Ufer : www.tai-chi-chuan-duesseldorf.de Wolfgang Brodesser : www.tai-chi-chuan-duesseldorf.de Ettlingen Tina Karl-Liesching : tinakarlliesching@gmx.de Hamburg Andreas Reuter : www.tai-chi-reuter.de Kay Wilkens : messageforkay@gmx.de Julich Ralf Schmitz : www.taichi-juelich.de Karlsruhe Bernhard Maier : www.centre-qigong.de Monchengladbach Joseph Smith : www.taichi-mg.de Niebüll Ute Andersen : www.taichi-nf.de Anna Panten-Petersen: anna@brueckenplatz.de Schwalmtal Pete Wirth : tai-chi@vodafone.de Sonnenbühl Christian Flöttl : www.xian-tai-chi-chuan.de Stolberg Franz Wehmeyer : www.taichi-stolberg.de Tübingen Dorothea Kümmel : dorothea.kuemmel@t-online.de Viersen Gerd Mankat : www.tai-chi-viersen.de Würselen Angelika von Berg : angelika.von.berg@web.de
Denmark Nærum
Peter & Sebastian Balland info@taichigong.dk
Belgium
Brussels - Béa van Wassenhove / Diane d’Epremesnil / Damien Cavrois / Arnauld Lefebvre . Sandrine Puissant Baeyens info@masterdingacademy.eu www.masterdingacademy.eu - Jean Marc Paul: jmpaul@taichi-brussels.be - Christiane Bernard : Christiane.Bernard@ec.europa.eu Wezembeek : Patrick Evrard: Patrick.EVRARD@mail.mobistar.be Ganshoren : Josiane Haegeman: josiane.haegeman@skynet.be Gembloux Pierre Malcourant : pmalcourant@malcourant-mecanique.be Louvain La Neuve : Béa van Wassenhove / Diane d’Epremesnil / Damien Cavrois / Arnauld Lefebvre . Sandrine Puissant Baeyens info@masterdingacademy.com
Italy Rome
Andrea Capriotti : www.artidoriente.it
Giuseppe Possemato: giuseppe.possemato@gmail.com
Bibao
Noemi Vian : noemi.vian@bridgestone.eu
Algrave
Richard & Sue Kale
Spain Portugal
(00351) 282 332 641
o@johndingacademy.com / www.jdiatcc.com
19