Cause for Celebration

We do like our anniversaries and celebrations in the Society - any excuse for a get together, some tai chi, some good food, good company etc.

Last Saturday was a good example. The South East Essex branch celebrated 20 years since the first class in that area, and an all-day event was organised at the Hullbridge Community Centre. Throughout the day, local members were joined by those from further afield (including Suffolk, Cambridge, and South Wales!). An East Anglia Regional Committee meeting was an interesting start, and things got into full swing with an intensive, most ably run by Edyta Barker, and attended by 143 members. By all accounts it was a bit cosy in the hall with that number!

Later, long-time member Crispin Barker, who is a qualified Physiotherapist, gave a fascinating and informative talk on Tai Chi and the body, with much humour, and using some novel visual aids (one involved attaching polo mints to a large inflatable ball - don't ask! something to do with receptors and effectors!!). Over 150 members listened with rapt attention as Crispin took us on an exploration through the wonders of the body on a microscopic scale.

Following that around 100 members stayed on to share a meal together and listen to some of the founding members of the branch reminisce about some of the trials and tribulations of those early days. Nowadays the branch has grown to over 430 members with over 30 classes throughout the region. The day finished with 40 members practicing some Taoist chanting, a fittingly serene end to a well-organised and enjoyable day.

Spain comes to Perth

Over 200 members gathered in Perth at the weekend for a workshop in the spring sunshine. The event was aimed at instructors and seniors and focused on the benefits of Tai Chi for older people, especially the use of the foundation exercises as a means of improving and maintaining our health.

The workshop was hosted by the Strathtay branch, who did a marvellous job of looking after the many visitors who flooded into the city from all over the country for the two day event held at the Bells Sports Centre, with many members offering their spare beds and floors to accommodate the participants. Other members prepared refreshments, including a fine selection of home-made cakes and biscuits that all helped to keep everyone going, as they worked hard into Saturday evening and through to the end late on Sunday afternoon.

The workshop was led by Carmen Capilla, who flew in from Spain especially. Carmen is a Director of the international society with over 20 years experience teaching, many of them spent studying under Master Moy. Carmen proved to be an inspirational leader, helping the participants to understand and experience the deeper workings of the exercises and moves of the set, as well as providing many insights into the unique form of training that Master Moy developed, and the role of the Society in safeguarding his legacy for future generations.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the participants, both old and young, to learn from such an experienced instructor, and they worked long and hard, supported by their enthusiasm and Carmen's clear teaching and infectious sense of humour. We even managed to get outside on Sunday afternoon to enjoy some sun and take a few pictures.



Carmen reminded the participants (around half of whom were instructors) that Master Moy was especially keen to help seniors, and that they need to work hard in order to preserve their health. So often in the modern world, older people are told to 'take it easy' and not do so much, whilst Master Moy was busy telling them to do more and work harder - use it or lose it! His form of taijiquan was specifically developed to improve health, and is particularly suitable for older people. Focusing on the foundation exercises helps seniors to maximise the benefit without the worry of remembering long sequences of moves, or losing their balance.

Many people were surprised that such deceptively simple-looking exercises could be so powerful and penetrating - which explained why they are not taught straight away in beginner classes, but left to more experienced instructors to work with students once they have learnt the basic moves of the set.


Members went home tired but happy, and around 30 people who were not rushing home on Sunday night took time to enjoy a lovely meal together in a Chinese restaurant in the city. All-in-all, a very successful and enjoyable, and above all, memorable, weekend.