Kia Ora to World Tai Chi Day 2018 – It’s FREE

Note: This event has now passed.

Celebrate World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day on Saturday 28 April, 2018, in Wattle Downs, Manurewa, Auckland. FREE, fun and family-friendly. If you’ve ever wanted to give tai chi a go, then this event is for you. All welcome.

What to expect: We will begin with a sequence of easy, flowing, warm-up exercises which are low impact and gentle on your joints. Then, the tai chi instructor, Jocelyn Watkin, will guide you through a Tai Chi for Health form – a series of linked steps, which are performed in a slow, mindful manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai chi is easy, fun and a really great exercise, which is good for your body and helpful at reducing stress. If you are unable to stand or stand for very long, Jocelyn is also qualified to teach seated tai chi, which you can do alongside of everyone.

When: Saturday 28 April 2018, 9.45 – 11am. The tai chi starts promptly at 10am.

Where: Manurewa, Auckland, 2103.

Tai chi in Clayton Park School hall

What to wear: Loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes like sneakers or trainers.

Bring: A bottle of water to drink.

Who is the instructor? Jocelyn Watkin is a premier, board-certified instructor for the Tai Chi for Health Institute. All of Jocelyn’s Tai Chi for Health classes are approved with the BIG TICK for the Community Group Strength and Balance Programme.

RSVP: If you wish, just arrive before 10am on Saturday 28 April 2018. However, RSVPs would also be welcome via the Contact Form or you can text Jocelyn on 027 493 9851.

What is tai chi? Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines mindfulness with a series of linked postures and steps.

Strength and peace

What is World Tai Chi & Qi Gong DayEach year, on the last Saturday of April, tens of thousands of people come together in many cities across the world to do tai chi at 10am (their own local time). People of any age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or religion gather as one for the sole purpose of advancing personal and global health & healing. The event’s motto is “One World… One Breath”.

What is Qi Gong? (Qi is pronounced ‘chee’): Qi gong breathing is an integrated part of tai chi and is especially beneficial for health and mental relaxation. Qi can mean air (oxygen), life, energy or breath. The word ‘gong’ means ‘way of’ or ‘skill’. Qi Gong means: way of getting more air, life or energy. The concept of Qi is known in other cultures by different names. Star Wars fans know it as ‘The Force’.

Almost anyone can learn tai chi as it is suitable for nearly all adults (of any age) and children. You do not need special shoes, expensive clothing or any fancy equipment. And, you won’t get all sweaty or puffed out.  However, if you have a medical condition that may be affected by tai chi please talk to your medical/health professional before taking part in World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day.

Find out more:

World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day will be held in peaceful Wattle Downs in 2018

Breathe your way to better health

There’s an old tai chi joke and it goes like this: A new student approaches his tai chi teacher to ask, “Master, how do I live as long as possible?” The master, a woman of many decades experience, replies: “Keep breathing as long as you can“.

Breathing – we all do it automatically: approximately 18 times per minute, 1,080 times per hour and nearly 26,000 times in a 24-hour day. You would have thought we’d got it down to a fine art?

But, what if I told you that most of us could do this breathing thing a lot better? And, by better I mean having more more energy, less anxiety, better sleep, less stress, better posture (with less back ache), and that it was a way you could quickly calm your mind when it is revved up. Of course, you don’t have to do this type of breathing for all of those 26,000 breaths. Instead, you can try it for just for a minute or two and for 2-3 times per day – it could make a huge difference in your life and health.

Tai chi is an ancient, Chinese martial art and exercise that involves a series of movements performed in a mindful, focussed manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

You don’t have to know tai chi to learn tai chi breathing. I can show you how to do this so you can breathe your way to better health. You will be able do this anywhere, anytime, while seated or standing.

Let me show you how in this short, 3-minute video.

Click on this link to find out WHY tai chi breathing is so good for you and why it can help you to bust stress in just a few minutes per day.

Find out more about a winter wellness workshop in June, where you will learn breathing exercises to wallop winter colds and boost your immunity.

Striped, tabby cat sleeping happily on the back of a red sofa

Better breathing keeps you warmer in winter and more relaxed. Purr-fect.

Kia ora to free tai chi lessons 2018

Women and men as silhouettes doing tai chi.Please note: This is a post from 2018. 

Kia Ora Tai Chi lessons have now moved to the Manurewa South School hall on Totara Road, Manurewa. Please contact us to ask about current classes and venues.

Do you want to get fitter and healthier? Do you feel stressed or have trouble sleeping? Maybe you’d love to wave goodbye to aches and pains at the gym? If so, then say hello to Kia Ora Tai Chi.

Come along for FREE 45-minute tai chi lessons on Monday 12th and Wednesday 14th February 2018, 6.30 – 7.15pm, with Jocelyn Watkin, a qualified tai chi instructor, who has been practising tai chi for over 15 years. Adults of any age and high school students are all welcome. Scroll down for more information. To RSVP for the free lessons, contact Jocelyn: 027 493 9851 or use the Contact Form to get in touch.

After the free lessons, a beginners’ class will start at the same venue on Monday 19th and Wednesday 21st February, 6.30 – 7.15pm. Prices start from $9.50 per class. If you want to be fitter and healthier or reduce stress then tai chi is for you. It is suitable for adults of any age and fitness levels.

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.

Big red heart with stethoscope

Love your heart and health with tai chi

What to expect: The class will begin with a sequence of easy, flowing exercises which are low impact and gentle on your joints. Jocelyn and some of her students will then demonstrate the tai chi form so you can see what it looks like. After that, you can have a go for yourself and learn the first few steps. In just one class, you’ll be doing real tai chi.

Longer term, tai chi can help you to improve your fitness, health and balance, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Your heart will love you for it. Tai chi is an ancient, Chinese martial art that involves mindful movements performed in a slow, focussed manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai chi is suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels. If you are unable to stand for very long, Jocelyn is also qualified to teach seated tai chi, which you can do alongside the rest of the class.

Dates/times/pricing: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6.30 – 7.15pm, from $9.50 per class. Please get in touch with Jocelyn: 027 493 9851 or use the Contact Form to ask about current classes and venues..

 

For more information:

Kia ora to free tai chi classes, 2017

Women and men as silhouettes doing tai chi.Please note: This is a post from 2017

Free tai chi lessons: Monday 24 and Wednesday 26 July, 6.30pm. Perfect for winter wellness and to build your inner warmth against the cold. 

Do you want to get warm and be fitter and healthier? Do you feel stressed or have trouble sleeping? Maybe you’d love to wave goodbye to the aches and pains of middle-age? If so, then say hello to Kia Ora Tai Chi.

Come along for FREE 45-minute tai chi lessons on Monday 24th and Wednesday 26th July 2017 at 6.30pm, with Jocelyn Watkin, a qualified tai chi instructor, who has been practising tai chi for 15 years. Adults of any age and high school students are all welcome. Join a friendly bunch of people at a great venue, which has lots of free parking.

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.

What to expect: The class will begin with a sequence of easy, flowing exercises which are low impact and geWoman doing tai chi on a beach at sunsetntle on your joints. Jocelyn and some of her students will then demonstrate the tai chi form so you can see what it looks like. After that, you can have a go for yourself and learn the first few steps.In just one class, you’ll be doing tai chi. By summer, you could be doing a full tai chi set of moves on the beach.

Longer term, tai chi can help you to improve your fitness, health and balance, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. It is an ancient, Chinese martial art that involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focussed manner and accompanied by deep breathing.

Tai chi is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. If you are unable to stand for very long, Jocelyn is also qualified to teach seated tai chi, which you can do alongside the rest of the class.

Dates/times/pricing: Mondays and Wednesdays in  Manurewa. After the free lessons, a beginners’ class will start on Monday 31 July and Wednesday 2 August 2017 from 6.30 – 7.15pm. Lessons from $9.50 per class. To RSVP, contact Jocelyn: 027 493 9851 or use the Contact Form to get in touch.

For more information:

Free tai chi classes, Feb 2017

Please note: This is a post from February 2017.

Free tai chi lessons: Monday 13 and Wednesday 15 February 2017, 6.30pm, in Manurewa. 

Do you want to get fitter and healthier? Do you feel stressed or have trouble sleeping?  If boot camps are not for you or you want to wave good-bye to the gym then say hello to Kia Ora Tai Chi.

Come along for FREE 45-minute tai chi lessons on Monday 13th and Wednesday 15th February at 6.30pm, with Jocelyn Watkin, a qualified tai chi instructor, who has been practising tai chi for 14 years. Adults and high school students are all welcome.

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.

What to expect: The class will begin with a sequence of easy, flowing exercises which are low impact and gentle on your joints. Jocelyn and some of her students will then demonstrate the tai chi form so you can see what it looks like.  After that, you can have a go for yourself and learn the first few steps. In just one class, you’ll be doing tai chi. Join a friendly bunch of people at a great venue, which has lots of free parking.

Longer term, tai chi can help you to improve your fitness, health and balance, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. It is an ancient, Chinese martial art that involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focussed manner and accompanied by deep breathing. Tai chi is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. If you are unable to stand for very long, Jocelyn is also qualified to teach seated tai chi, which you can do alongside the rest of the class.

Dates/times/pricing: Mondays and Wednesdays in Manurewa. After the free lessons, a beginners’ class will start on Monday 20th and Wednesday 22nd February 2017 from 6.30 – 7.15pm. Lessons from $9.50 per class. To RSVP, contact Jocelyn: 027 493 9851 or use the Contact Form to get in touch.

For more information: