by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 15, 2021 | Information |
Join in with the Kia Ora Tai Chi team for a free tai chi and qigong session to celebrate Matariki and the wonderful Māori New Year.
Have fun, breathe better and make new friends with 5-Element Qigong, which is a meditative breathing programme to harmonise your mind and body. This is a great chance for a new and healthier you for the New Year.
You will also learn the beautiful and flowing Hikitia te Hā (“uplifting breathing”, also known as Māori Tai Chi).
Ideal for beginners of all ages and abilities. The whole session can easily be done while standing, seated or a mixture of both.
When: Saturday 3 July 2021, 2 – 3pm, please arrive from 1.45pm onward
Where: The theatre building, Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland. There is plenty of free parking at this venue, which is close to the motorway. Refer to this map
RSVP: Yes please, as places are limited to just 16 people. Please email or text/phone me: 027 493 9851 to reserve your spot. (Note: there is a limit of two people per booking)
Cost: Free (A big thank you to Nathan Homestead and Auckland Council for providing the venue at no charge).
Click here to learn more about tai chi and qigong
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and is the start of a new year in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2021, Matariki will be observed Aotearoa/New Zealand between 19 June to 11 July.
More about Matariki
Find out more about the Kia Ora Tai Chi team.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 7, 2021 | Information |
Jocelyn teaches you from her online tai chi studio
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could learn tai chi from me without having to leave home? Totally awesome and now you can do more than just dream about it.
My new online course, called “Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility”, has received an enthusiastic thumbs up from ‘guinea pigs’ who ‘test drove’ it.
It is now available for all of you so you can learn at any time that suits you, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and anywhere you have computer, tablet or mobile phone.
This course has six modules, each designed to be comfortably completed within one week. However, you can take longer if you like. There are easy-to-read articles and how-to videos where I show you the movements step-by-step and share the secrets of tai chi. It will be like I am right there in your home with you.
I am a qualified, premier instructor for the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Find out why I can help you learn tai chi that is safe, easy-to-learn and effective: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/about-us/
The course is ideal for anyone who:
- is worried about their balance or who wants to help a family member or friend to improve their balance.
- wants to get fitter and stronger.
- needs a helping hand to manage and reduce stress.
- would love a good night’s sleep.
- is curious about tai chi and how it works for strength, balance and mobility.
- is an instructor teaching tai chi for fall prevention or strength & balance classes
One participant said of the course: “The special breathing I learned has helped me de-stress and calm down. It feels like a weight off my chest and shoulders”.
Can you imagine how blissful it would be to fall into a deep slumber almost as soon as your head hits the pillow? During this course, you’ll learn calming meditative breathing that you can use anywhere and anytime you feel stressed or worried, especially just before you go to bed. Click here if you’re looking for sweet dreams
Wouldn’t it be a relief to help a friend or family member improve their balance so you no longer worry about them having a fall and getting hurt? It sure would. Click here to help that special someone to stand tall and with good balance.
How amazing would it be if you could live stronger for longer? Totally! You’ll have access to the videos and articles for at least six months so you can regularly practice and build more strength and balance. Click here if you want to become more mobile and for years longer.
Sabine, a qualified Tai Chi for Health instructor recommends this course: Thank you Jocelyn, for a very enjoyable course. I loved the step-by-step approach and I could feel the improvement of my core strength, breathing and posture. Safety was top priority through the whole course and it was achieved with very clear and easy instructions. Overall, a wonderful experience.
All this and more with my new Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility course… and you won’t have to go out on a wintry wet night to learn it. You can participate in the privacy and warmth of your own home.
For just $99 you’ll receive:
- The full online course of six sessions, with supporting articles and how-to learning videos, which are delivered to your email inbox once per week.
- Additional resources of a practice journal and checklist.
- Access to a client portal where you can ask questions and share experiences each week.
If you want to live stronger for longer with better strength, balance and mobility, please enroll using this link: https://navigatinghealthcare.co.nz/programs/#Tai-Chi-for-Strength-Balance-Mobility
by Jocelyn Watkin | Apr 7, 2021 | Information |
We all had a fantastic time at World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on Saturday 24 April 2021
It’s not every day that we get the chance to lead the whole planet in a tai chi and qigong session. Due to our geographical position, Aotearoa/New Zealand was first on 24th April to celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. (Qigong is pronounced ‘chee – gong’.)
On the last Saturday in April, tens of thousands of people in 100s of cities across the planet join together to celebrate the tranquility and harmony that is tai chi and qigong. Every session starts at 10am local time in each country.
At 10am NZ time on 24th April, we began this world-wide wave of peace, goodwill and aroha. We opened our arms to welcome others into a global tai chi whānau,
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2021 in Cornwall Park
The event was suitable for all ages and abilities. Beginners we made to feel very welcome. Event details:
- When: Saturday 24 April 2021, 10 – 10.45am. Please arrive from 9.40am onwards and be ready to start at 10am
- Where: Cornwall Park, our usual summer tai chi spot under the trees on the left hand side as you’re coming up Pohutukawa Drive from Greenlane Road West. (look for the signs).
- What to wear and bring: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring a water bottle and a sun hat.
Described as “moving meditation”, tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines relaxed movements which are gentle on the joints with mental focus and mindfulness. Qigong is a meditative breathing programme designed to improve your breathing and well-being.
Check out the video of our 2019 World Tai Chi & Qigong Day celebration in Cornwall Park: https://youtu.be/Io-TbyB-fFw
Find out more:
After the event, Barry (in red shirt) and Goliath stayed on to practice their tai chi cane form
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 7, 2021 | Information |
March 2021
Evening tai chi classes restart tomorrow (Mon 8 March 2021) as Auckland is now in Alert Level 2. I am so happy that I’ll see you all again on both the 8th March and Wednesday 10th March, 6.30pm.
I’ll be in the Manurewa South School hall from 6.15pm on both Monday and Wednesday evenings. There’ll be hand sanitiser available and plenty of room to keep at least one metre apart for social distancing. The lovely Ken will record your attendance in the register.
New beginners are welcome to join the beginners class (in the evenings, 6.30 – 7.15pm) up until Wednesday 10 March 2021. Please arrive no later than 6.25pm. Your first class is free. If you’d like to come along, please text or phone Jocelyn Watkin on 027 493 9851 or please use the Contact Form.
Find out more about the classes and to view a map of how to get to Manurewa South School: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/classes/
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 5, 2021 | Information |
There will be no tai chi session in Cornwall Park on Sunday 7 March, 2021. Sorry everyone. I know you will be disappointed since we will be Alert Level 2.
The cancellation was decided by the park’s management and is for all organised events in the park until Monday 8 March. However, you will be allowed to visit the park for individual exercise and recreation. Please following usual social distancing rules and keep at least one metre apart from anyone who is not in your household bubble.
Good news, we will be back doing tai chi in the park on Sunday 14 March 2021, 9am. Let’s hope the weather will be kind to us, too.
More good news, you can still practice tai chi on your own at home or in your local park. Here is a link to a video of co-instructor Juliana and I showing you the warm up exercises and then teaching you Tai Chi for Memory step-by-step. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/cDvuCbOp1r8
