by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 28, 2026 | Information |
All ages and abilities welcome for FREE tai chi and qigong at Kauri Point Reserve in Wattle Downs, Manurewa, on the official Matariki holiday of Friday 10 July 2026, at 11 – 11.45am.
This will be the 5th year in a row for this wonderful event. Huge thanks to Reshmee, for her amazing and ongoing help and support with this event.
All ages and abilities are welcome. Ideal for beginners.
When: Friday 10 July 2026 (the official Matariki holiday), 11 – 11.45am
Where: Kauri Point Reserve in Wattle Downs, Manurewa, which is at the end of a street called “Moor Park”. (When looking on Google maps, please make sure you select the Kauri Point Reserve in Wattle Downs, otherwise Google maps might direct you to the reserve near Katikati in the Bay of Plenty.)
Try these map links:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hsexGBHbPuQjwwzc9
https://www.mapquest.com/nz/kauri-point-reserve-432366215
What to bring: A filled water bottle.
If you’d like to join the shared morning tea after the tai chi session: Please bring a small plate of kai (finger food) or snacks to share (that don’t need heating up or require knives & forks to eat).
This is an outdoor event so we need fine weather.
If we have to cancel: If the weather doesn’t co-operate or if the ground is too wet, please look for the cancellation notice by 9am on 10 July on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi
If the event goes ahead, wrap up warm, pop on a beanie and join in.
What sort of tai chi will we be doing?
Together, we will flow through the calming and harmonising Tai Chi for Strength and Balance.
This will be followed by the beautiful Māori Qigong called “Hikitia te Hā” (uplifting breathing), which will be taught in both Te Reo as well as English.
Mauri ora, tai chi whānau! (Wishing you all good health.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 23, 2026 | Information |
All welcome to this FREE event on Saturday 27 June, at Māngere, to focus on your wellbeing during Matariki (Matariki Ora).
Learn about Ngā whetū (Matariki stars and their meanings), improve your breathing with tai chi and qigong, including Hikitia te Hā (uplifting breathing), enjoy kai (food) demonstrations and many more.
Time: 10am to 2.30pm on Saturday 27th. Arrive when you can, leave when you need to, or stay for the entire event.
Venue:
Mangere Envirohub
17 Elmdon Street
Māngere, Auckland 2022
Refer to map: https://share.google/7wDLVTJfSTdsVcxBb
Whānau and friends are all welcome. There will be resting places for kaumātua and kuia (older people) and those unable to walk far.
Free tai chi and qigong, too, which will be taught by me at around 11 – 11:30am. Ideal for beginners.
As well as my more usual tai chi, I will also teach a series of breathing movements called Hikitia te Hā. The translation is “Uplifting Breathing” and this is very much like qigong. I will teach this in Te Reo as well as English.
RSVP: Not required, just come along
What to wear: Warm, comfortable clothes that you can move in. Please wear flat-soled shoes like sneakers and trainers.
More details in the poster above.
He waka eke noa / We’re all in this together / We are all travelling together in life.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Apr 4, 2026 | Information |
*** This retreat took place on Saturday 16 May 2026 ***
Harness the energy of the fire horse
1-Day Retreat: Grounding the Gallop: Elemental qigong to harness the energy of the Fire Horse
- When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 9am – 3.30pm. (Please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am)
- Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Friends Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Manurewa, Auckland 2105
- Participants: Adults aged 18+. Ideal for beginners and also for tai chi and qigong enthusiasts who want to get more out of their practice.
- Limited to 10 participants (just 1 place left)
The Year of the Fire Horse is traditionally associated with forward-moving energy, speed, strength, and decisive action. It’s a year that encourages momentum and determination.
In 2026, the energy of the horse is intensified by the fire element — creating a powerful, high-voltage gallop that can be exhilarating, but also exhausting if left unchecked.
The pace of a Fire Horse year can feel relentless. Without balance, that build-up of energy may lead to fatigue, overwhelm, or burnout long before the year has run its course.
What if there was a way to steady the ride — to soothe your nervous system while still making the most of the Fire Horse’s vitality and drive?
And, what if you could harness this dynamic energy without getting burnt?
Through calming yet powerful elemental qigong (pronounced chee-gong), this retreat offers exactly that: a way to cool the fire, ground the gallop, and ride through the year with both ease and purpose.
According to ancient Chinese philosophy, everything in the universe — including horses and humans — is composed of five elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire.
When these elements are in harmony, we feel balanced and resilient. When they are out of balance — as can easily happen in a Fire Horse year — we may feel overstimulated, depleted, or emotionally unsettled.
You’ll learn tailored qigong movements that balance an over-heated fire element with the cooling, stabilising elements of water and earth.
Balance and harmony in the Year of the Fire Horse
At this transformative 1-day retreat, you will learn how to:
- Manage and harness fire energy so it supports you, rather than becoming a wild, galloping ride.
- Cool excess fire with flowing, restorative water-element qigong.
- Calm and soothe your soul with grounding earth-element qigong.
- Use mindful breathing and deep relaxation as a balm for body, mind, and spirit.
- Overcome the overwhelm: Tips and strategies that really work for greater wellbeing.
- Brew the perfect cup of Indian masala chai (tea) — a sensory ritual that beautifully blends fire, earth, and water.
- Select the best Indian spices to support self-healing and everyday general health.
There will also be time at the end of the retreat for a self-guided stroll through the gardens — an opportunity to quietly absorb what you have learned while immersing yourself in nature.
Pricing: $225 per person.
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 1 April and 30 April 2026
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 30 April 2026.
Limited to 10 participants.
Please contact me (Jocelyn) if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting me on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will advise options for payment.
Read the reviews and feedback from Jocelyn’s 1-Day qigong retreat in May 2025:
- “One of the best retreats I have ever attended.”
- “It was a nurturing and valuable day to spend time healing myself.”
- “Loved the philosophy and history behind qigong.”
- “I loved the welcoming and accepting atmosphere of the whole day.”
What is elemental qigong and why is it so good for you?
For thousands of years the Chinese have had a secret. A secret that helps to increase longevity and assists the body to heal from injury, illness and trauma.
That secret is qigong – a deep, meditative breathing and movement exercise that connects the mind to the body.
All qigong has health benefits, as based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, the ancient practice of elemental qigong is a gentle yet especially powerful sequence of breathing and movement that helps to harmonise and balance health and wellbeing through the five elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.
At this retreat, you’ll also learn how to brew the perfect cup of Indian masala chai
Masala chai
Masala chai is a fragrant, spiced tea from India, made by simmering black tea with milk, sweetener, and a mixture of aromatic spices like ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.
Masala chai is a sensory ritual that beautifully blends fire, earth and water.
It is rich source of antioxidants that can help boost your immune system. The spices used are said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Taking time to relax and sip on a cup of masala chia can help reduce stress and anxiety, soothe your soul and promote a sense of well-being.
This very special session is led by Anju Desai. Please advise if you are dairy-intolerant and an alternative will be provided.
You’ll be guided with care and clarity by experienced instructors:
Jocelyn Watkin
Jocelyn Watkin will lead this fulfilling, in-depth day of practice designed to ground the gallop in the Year of the Fire Horse.
As a qualified and experienced tai chi and qigong instructor, she has been enjoying the health benefits of these ancient Chinese arts for nearly 25 years.
She has visited China three times, which included training at the sacred Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain), which is the tūrangawaewae of tai chi and qigong. (Tūrangawaewae is a Te Reo Māori word meaning spiritual home or a place to stand where you feel especially connected).
Find out more about Jocelyn: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/about-us/
Anju Desai
Anju Desai grew up in India with a love of chai (tea) and the self-healing power of spices. She moved to New Zealand in the early 2000s and describes herself now as “an artist living in Wonderland”.
Her homemade, nutritious, and delicious spice blends are crafted with love and care right here in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
As well as her holistic spice blend and wellness business, she teaches mindful cooking, meditative art and Bollywood dancing.
Find out more about Anju: https://anjudesai.co.nz/anjus-story/
At this retreat, you’ll also have time to explore the tranquil Auckland Botanic Gardens on your own self-guided tour
The camellia garden area in the Auckland Botanic Gardens
You may like to:
- Wander in the Camellia Garden and be transported to temple woodlands of China or the cool, forested, lower Himalayas in India. Camellias originated in Asia and this tranquil, meditative garden has been designed with their heritages in mind.
- Admire the many fascinating and intriguing sculptures throughout the gardens.
- Embark on your own ‘sniffari’ and delight in the aromas of the edible and herb gardens.
- Get dreamy with the palms or in the rose garden.
- Immerse yourself in ‘forest bathing’ (known as Shinrin-yoku in Japan) in the dappled seclusion of the native bush area.
- Or simply wend your way along the many walkways to refresh your eyes and senses on nature at its best.
Whether you’re new to qigong or looking to deepen an existing practice, this retreat is an opportunity to make the most of the Year of the Fire Horse with steadiness, wisdom, and grounded vitality.
Testimonials about Jocelyn from her November 2025 retreat:
- “Fabulous – and I am being honest. Your values and respect shine through Jocelyn.”
- “You are positive and affirming and when you help it felt as if you really were focusing on us as individuals.”
- “Pace and variety perfectly pitched without losing depth of understanding.”
Grounding the Gallop: Elemental qigong to harness the energy of the Fire Horse
At this 1-Day retreat, you’ll learn tailored qigong movements that balance an over-heated fire element with the cooling, stabilising elements of water and earth.
Pricing: $225 per person.
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 1 April and 30 April 2026
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 30 April 2026.
Limited to 10 participants.
Please contact me (Jocelyn) if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting me on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will advise options for payment.
Here are all the details of this 1-Day Retreat: Grounding the Gallop: Elemental qigong to harness the energy of the Fire Horse
When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 9am – 3.30pm (please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am) 9am – 3.30pm.
Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Friends Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Auckland 2105
Parking: Plenty of free parking is available in the main (No.1) car park at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. The Friends Building is an indoor venue, which is located on the Western side of the main carpark.
What to wear: Comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to move in and flat-soled shoes. Please bring a jersey or hoodie to keep warm, as we will be sitting still for some of the time (chairs will be provided for this). If you want to explore the gardens after the retreat, please also bring an outdoor jacket.
Please bring: Your lunch, pen and paper to take notes, filled water bottle and a snack.
Who should attend?
This retreat is open to anyone aged 18+ who wishes to learn calming yet powerful elemental qigong and a way to ride through the Year of the Fire Horse with both ease and purpose. Ideal for beginners and also for tai chi and qigong enthusiasts who want to get more out of their practice.
Please contact Jocelyn to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting her on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. She will advise options for payment.
Cancellation policy
This retreat must be paid for in full to reserve your place.
Pricing: $225 per person.
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 1 April and 30 April 2026
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 30 April 2026.
If you are unwell on the day of the retreat (16 May 2026)
Please do not attend if you are sick or have a cold, Covid or ‘flu-like symptoms. In these circumstances, you will be issued with a credit to attend another tai chi or qigong workshop or retreat by Kia Ora Tai Chi.
All participants will need to respect the need for social distancing during the retreat. Anyone is welcome to wear a face mask if they wish.
The room will be well-ventilated and hand sanitiser will be provided.
We will abide by the NZ Government’s health advice and regulations as they apply at the time of this retreat.
If you’d like to be among the first to know when other exiting Kia Ora Tai Chi, Qigong or SpinPoi retreats and events happen, please RSVP to receive our free monthly e-newsletter as follows:
- If you are viewing this on a desktop computer – please look to the right of this page for the “Monthly Newsletter Signup” box.
- If you are viewing on a mobile phone or tablet – please scroll down to find the “Monthly Newsletter Signup” box.
- Please complete your details and click the “Sign up” button. Or, you can ask questions and request the free e-newsletter using our “Contact Us” page: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/contact-us/
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 4, 2026 | Information
Photo: BLV participants and instructors doing tai chi together in Cornwall Park
Free, outdoor tai chi lessons in Cornwall Park, Auckland, for anyone who is blind or has low vision (BLV).
Dates: Four consecutive Sundays in March 2026: 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March. (Weather dependent*)
Time: 10.15am to 11am. Please plan to arrive between 10am and 10.15am. RSVPs are not necessary.
RSVPs are not required. Up to two accompanying family members or support people (per participant) are also welcome and will also be free to attend.
Tai chi location in Cornwall Park: The entrance to the park is at this address: 203 Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland 1051. The main road into the park is called Pōhutukawa Drive. The tai chi sessions will be under the trees on the left-hand-side about half-way up Pōhutukawa Drive. (If you get to the roundabout, you’ve gone too far.)
What to wear and bring: Please bring your water bottle, a sun hat and sunblock. Wear comfy clothing and shoes. Please don’t wear Jandals or flip-flops.
Age suitability: These classes are best suited to those who are high school age or adults.
Support people: Each participant will be most welcome to invite up to two family members, friends or support people to join them for these tai chi classes.
What is tai chi? Tai chi is a mild martial art and low-impact exercise programme from ancient China. It is sometimes described as “meditation in motion,” as it combines flowing movements with deep breathing and mindfulness. Tai chi tends to be gentle on your joints and is designed to improve balance, mobility, strength and fitness.
Who is the instructor? Jocelyn Watkin of Kia Ora Tai Chi. Jocelyn is a qualified tai chi instructor with specialist skills and experience in teaching tai chi to participants who are blind or have low vision. This includes teaching at Blind, Low Vision New Zealand, BLENNZ Homai, and the BLV unit at James Cook High School in Manurewa.
Jocelyn has been hired by the management of Cornwall Park to teach these tai chi lessons to ensure that attendance is free. You can find out more about Jocelyn on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/about-us/
*Cancellation notice: As these lessons are outdoors, they depend on good weather. If the weather is not suitable, a decision will be made by 6pm the night before each class (Saturday night). The cancellation notice will be uploaded to the Kia Ora Tai Chi website: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/ and also the Kia Ora Tai Chi Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi
If you are not sure if the lesson will go ahead (due to bad weather) or you need more information, Jocelyn invites you to text or phone her on 027 493 9851.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Nov 5, 2025 | Information
Yes, it’s happening and for the 9th year in a row!! The free summer tai chi and qigong sessions with me in Cornwall Park are back for summer 2026. Please note that these sessions are outdoors so they need fine weather to go ahead. Details below including how to find out about any cancellations.
These FREE sessions are outdoors in Cornwall Park from mid-January to the end of March 2026. All welcome, ideal for beginners and suitable for all ages.
Dates and times:
- Sunday mornings, 9 – 9.45am and every Sunday morning (except Sunday 8 February during Waitangi Weekend) until 29th March 2026 (weather permitting)
- Tuesday evenings, 6 – 6.45pm and every Tuesday evening until 31st March 2026 (weather permitting).
Location in the park: Same as in previous years. If coming into the park from Greenlane Road West, you’ll be on Pōhutukawa Drive (the main road into the park). The tai chi sessions will be under the trees on the left-hand-side about half-way up Pōhutukawa Drive. (If you get to the roundabout, you’ve gone too far.)
Bring your water bottle and a sun hat/sunblock. Wear comfy clothing and footwear. Registrations are not required, just show up 5 – 10 minutes before each session starts.
As all of the sessions are outdoors, the weather needs to be on our side to go ahead. If you are uncertain on whether the session will be held you can:
I can’t wait to see everyone again who attended in previous years and also to meet anyone new, who would love to try tai chi and qigong this summer.
Curious about tai chi and qigong? Find out more here: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/tai-chi/
Please be aware that Cornwall Park is NOT owned by Auckland Council. It is a private park, thanks to the generosity of the founder, Sir John Logan Campbell. He gifted his land, which became known as Cornwall Park, to the people of Auckland. Also, huge thanks to the Cornwall Park Trust Board, which administers his legacy and provides funding for these sessions so you can attend for free.
Contact me or sign up for my free monthly newsletter to get an early ‘heads up’ on when there are even more free sessions of tai chi and qigong.
Tai chi for anyone who is blind or has low vision
Wait, there’s more at Cornwall Park this summer…the Cornwall Park Trust Board are also funding four accessible tai chi sessions for anyone who is blind or has low vision, and who wants to be more active.
The lessons will be held immediately after our general sessions on Sunday mornings and in the same location in the park. The timeslot will be 10.15 – 11am on these four Sundays in March 2026: 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. (Weather permitting)
These free tai chi sessions in the park will be designed and developed by me. I have specialist skills and experience in teaching accessible tai chi to adults and young people, including at the Homai campus of Blind, Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) and James Cook High School in Manurewa.
Tai chi is gentle on joints and is designed to improve balance, mobility, strength and fitness.
A big thank you to the Cornwall Park Trust Board for funding these accessible sessions.
If you’d like to know how I got started with teaching tai chi to students who were blind/had low vision, it all began with my successful pilot project in 2017. My work in this specialist area has grown from there. You can read a summary of my pilot project in this link: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/success-with-teaching-tai-chi-to-blind-students/
