In the Jade Dragon tradition we say that every person possesses 3 wild horses. These 3 horses are largely out of control and pull us this way and that. They drain us of energy with their wildness and age us prematurely. What are our 3 horses? As any horseman knows before you can train a horse you have to tame it first. You have to break it to your will. […]
When was the last time you ever truly savoured anything? Most of us are permanently in too much of a rush to ever really enjoy anything we do, see or eat. It makes us more productive but is that a always a good thing? There is more to life than cramming in as much as possible. The more we do the less we enjoy. Life rushes by in a blur […]
Why on earth is long lasting, genuine, deep relaxation so difficult to attain? The answer is the ‘tension paradox’ but before we look at what that is let’s take a quick look at your relaxation options. Here are some of the main things people do to relax and release some of their stress along with a quick word about why they don’t really work. 1. Alcohol. Alcohol is a muscle […]
There is a wonderfully powerful exercise that has been practiced in China for centuries. It’s based on your smile. Putting on a smile, even if you don’t feel like it, can make the whole world seem brighter. Smiling actually makes you look more attractive and is great for reducing stress. When you smile at someone it makes them feel that you are pleased to see them and brightens up the […]
I think pretty much everybody is aware of the huge benefits of meditation. It can leave you feeling so calm, relaxed and focused and has been shown to be as effective as taking a nap but takes just a fraction of the time. However, it’s also something that although most people have tried most of them have quickly given up on. It’s too hard they say. I just can’t empty […]
The Rising Sun is the first of the true breathing exercises I teach to students. It is the first and most important of the ancient ‘5 Breaths of Tao’ Qigong set. The Rising Sun exercise can be done in many different ways. Each method trains something different inside you. The physical movement of each is almost identical. What changes is the way the breath is performed and most important of […]
The Chinese have a very different approach to dealing with anxiety issues than we do in the West. Here the main approaches are through drugs or some form of psychotherapy. The Chinese work to change the ways you habitually react to stress. In particular they work on breath, posture and movement. When you are under pressure your body reacts in certain ways. If you can change those habits then you […]
Please read this post. Because almost nothing else I can teach you (apart from good breathing) is more important. The strength of your legs directly relates to almost every element of your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Your legs are the foundation of your structure. They are your connection to the earth which is the only thing in your life that will always be there to support you. Without […]
This is a my favourite exercise for dropping tension out of your shoulders and neck. It’s simple to do. Just remember to do it slowly and smoothly and let gravity do the work. Side to Sides Find out more about traditional Chinese conditioning exercises through the tai chi and kung fu classes I run or sign up to our site to learn the wealth of material we have here. To […]
You are born full of life and energy but it is blocked inside you. So you grow old depleted of your vitality In the early morning and parks and woodland across China you will see people of all ages exercising. Many of them are doing the slow, rhythmic movements of tai chi but others don’t seem to be moving at all. They are as still as the trees around them. […]
Many people turn up to my classes worrying that they won’t be fit enough or flexible enough. Within a very short space of time they realise those things don’t really matter. The biggest problem they have, that everyone has, is with coordination. Coordination means getting your arms and legs to do what you want them to do. Almost every movement I teach is a whole body movement. That means you […]
Sting once sung ‘Every breath you take, every move you make’. I love that song and it reminds me of 4 qualities that will make our breathing and movement effortless and powerful in so many ways. Soft, Slow, Smooth, Sink These are the four golden rules of breathing and movement. Make each breath and every move soft, slow, and smooth and sink it down. This requires focus. This turns the […]