by Jocelyn Watkin | Feb 25, 2020 | Information |
Cancellation: Park Life event in Cornwall Park on Sunday 29 March 2020. (This includes the cancellation of the four free tai chi sessions.)
Due to recent Government initiatives to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19), one of which is cancelling large scale public events and with everyone’s health and safety as utmost priority, the Cornwall Park Trust Board have regrettably cancelled the Park Life event on Sunday 29 March 2020..
We know many of you were looking forward to the day, but please know that the decision wasn’t made lightly and with everyone’s best interests in mind. Thank you for your understanding and we will keep you informed of the status of future events.
At this stage, World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on Saturday 18 April will still go ahead. Any change to this will be advised when necessary.
Here’s to doing tai chi in Cornwall Park next summer (2021)
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jan 6, 2020 | Information |
This is a post from January 2020.
When: Sunday mornings, 9 – 9.45am, starting on Sunday 5 January 2020 and every Sunday morning in January and February (weather permitting).
When: Tuesday evenings, 6 – 6.45pm, starting on Tuesday 7 January 2020 and every Tuesday evening in January and February (weather permitting)
Where: Pohutukawa Drive in Cornwall Park, Auckland 1051. Refer to map: Tai chi will be under the trees to the left of Pohutukawa Drive, about half-way up this road (when entering Cornwall Park from Greenlane Road West). Look for the signs and your instructors in red Kia Ora Tai Chi shirts. Details on how to get to Cornwall Park
What to wear: Loose, comfortable clothing, sun hat, sun block and flat shoes. Please bring insect repellent and a drink bottle of water.
Ideal for beginners. All ages welcome. Just come along. No need to RSVP.
What happens if it is wet? The cancellation notice will be posted on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi/ Or you can ask Jocelyn by text on 027 493 9851.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jul 19, 2019 | Information |
Note: This is a post from July 2019
If you want to get fitter without puffing, feel healthier and live stronger for longer, then tai chi can help you.
If this sounds like something you want then the team at Kia Ora Tai Chi would love to hear from you. We are looking for adults of any age and ability, who are keen to make a regular commitment to learning tai chi.
To find out if tai chi is for you, please come along to one or both of the free “taster sessions” on Monday 29th and Wednesday 31st July 2019, in Manurewa.
To RSVP or to ask questions about the classes, please use the Contact Form
After the free sessions, we encourage anyone who can attend AT LEAST once per week to enrol in a new tai chi class for beginners, which will start on Monday 5th and Wednesday 7th August 2019, 6.30 – 7.15pm.
Cost of classes: The classes on the 29th and 31st of July 2019 are FREE. After that, prices start from $9.50 per class. A discount is available for those who are referred by ACC and Age Concern for the Community Group Strength and Balance Exercise programme (“Live Stronger for Longer”). You must be aged 65+ to be referred.
What to wear: Please wear loose comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes (such as sneakers, trainers or tennis shoes). Please also bring a drinking bottle of water.
Here at Kia Ora Tai Chi, we are all constantly amazed at the health improvements that our students tell us about once they attend our classes on a regular basis:
- sleeping better at night
- finding it easier to go up and down stairs
- improved breathing, with less wheezing or feeling like they’ve ‘run out of breath’
- playing with their children or grandchildren for longer without getting tired
- lowering their high blood pressure
- feeling more flexible and moving better with less aches and pains
- better balance/less falls
- feeling better all over and less stressed
- toned muscles.
Learn how to reduce stress with tai chi
There have been hundreds of clinical studies over many years that confirm the health benefits of tai chi, especially for the Tai Chi for Health programmes that we teach at Kia Ora Tai Chi. You can read more about these clinical studies here.
One aspect consistent across all studies and trials is that none of these benefits happen overnight or after just one class. The trials take place over several weeks, sometimes several months, and the people being studied do tai chi at least 2 -3 times per week.
Most of my students attend at least one class per week, often two, and several practice between each class.
We are now looking for a group of new beginners who accept that their health and well-being is worth a regular commitment to tai chi.
Find out more about Kia Ora Tai Chi classes, how to get to the venue, and what to expect.
Discover more health benefits from tai chi.
Want to know even more about tai chi? Click here
Please RSVP for the free classes on the 29th and 31st July 2019 by using the Contact Form. You are welcome to attend one one or both of these classes.
Come along and say kia ora. We’d love to see you. We’re a friendly bunch at a great venue that has lots of free parking.
A Kia Ora Tai Chi class
by Jocelyn Watkin | Apr 11, 2019 | Information |
Please note: This event has now passed.
April 2019: Come along to the FREE World Tai Chi & Qigong Day in Cornwall park. You’ll learn easy, flowing steps of tai chi and the deep, healthy breathing of qigong (pronounced chee – gong).
Free, fun, family-friendly and ideal for all age groups. Complete beginners welcome.
When: Saturday 27 April 2019, 9.30 – 11.30am (The tai chi starts at 10am). (Rain date: Saturday 4 May)
Where: Cornwall Park, on the Big Lawn (Native Arboretum), near the large stone steps (called the Memorial Steps, which face Greenlane Road). There is free parking in the park.
The Big Lawn (Native Arboretum),
How to get to Cornwall Park: Click on this link: http://cornwallpark.co.nz/visitor-info The main entrance to the park is from Greenlane Road West, Epsom, Auckland. Alternatively, you can get to Cornwall Park from Manukau Road, Epsom, by passing through Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill Domain.
Tens of thousands of people in 100’s of cities across the planet celebrate the wonder that is tai chi on the last Saturday in April at 10am local time. It is a world-wide wave of goodwill – a global tai chi whānau, breathing together as one. The event’s motto is, “One World – One Breath”
Join in with Kia Ora Tai Chi to be the first country in the world to start this celebration. All welcome, especially those who have never done tai chi before.
What to expect: At 10am, Jocelyn Watkin (founder and director of Kia Ora Tai Chi) and her team of instructors will begin with a sequence of easy, flowing, warm-up exercises which are low impact and gentle on your joints.
Then, they will guide you through a Tai Chi for Health form – a series of linked postures and steps, accompanied by deep breathing that will energise and give you a lift. In just under one hour you’ll be doing REAL tai chi. It’s easy, fun and really great exercise.
Gather from 9:30 am onwards and be ready to say Kia ora to tai chi at 10am.
Find out more:
Summer tai chi with Kia Ora Tai Chi in Cornwall Park (January 2019)
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 7, 2019 | Information |
This is a post from March 2019.
Kia Ora Tai Chi has partnered with Cornwall Park to offer four FREE tai chi lessons at their Park Life event, which will be held on Saturday 30 March, 2019, 11am – 4pm. (If wet, the event will be held on Saturday 6 April).
The tai chi sessions will be:
- 11 – 11.45am: Tai chi for beginners – Learn easy, flowing steps of this ancient Chinese martial art. Low impact, fun, family-friendly and ideal for all age groups. (Note: This will be the same tai chi that we taught at the “Summer Tai Chi in Cornwall Park” sessions.)
- 12 – 12.45pm: Yang-style tai chi – Join in to do the 24-step and combined 42-step forms. It is fun to watch or jump in and have a go in the spirit of “Let’s play tai chi together”.
- 2 – 2.45pm: Tai chi as moving meditation – Learn how to relax and de-stress with special tai chi movements. Once learned you can do these anytime, anywhere. Gentle on your joints and ideal for beginners of all ages.
- 3 – 3.45pm: Tai chi for beginners – Learn easy, flowing steps of this ancient Chinese martial art. Low impact, fun, family-friendly and ideal for all age groups. (Note: This will be a repeat of the 11 – 11.45am session.)
Location: Same as for “Summer Tai Chi in Cornwall Park”. Under the big trees on the left-hand-side of Pohutukawa Drive (as you come up from Greenlane Road). Look for the tai chi signs and the Kia Ora Tai Chi team wearing red shirts.
What to wear:
- Comfy clothes and shoes
- A sun hat, sun block and insect repellent
- Bring a sweatshirt or jacket in case of cool weather. Please bring a water bottle, too.
No need to RSVP. Just come along and join in with your friends and family. A big thank you to the Cornwall Park Trust Board for funding these sessions so everyone can enjoy learning tai chi for free.
Get that summery feeling back with tai chi in Cornwall Park
More about Park Life
This is a free event celebrating nature, exploration and all the things you can experience in the park, which will be closed for motorised traffic. With no cars, you will be able to freely roam the 425 acres of land while discovering activities, games, performances, food and more that will be spread throughout the park!
When: Saturday 30 March, 2019, 11am – 4pm
Bring your friends, whānau, a picnic, and your walking shoes for a free fun-filled day in the park.
Find out more:
