by Jocelyn Watkin | Jul 5, 2017 | Information |
Over May to June 2017, I led a successful pilot to teach tai chi to four blind and low-vision students. The students were all aged 18 and enrolled in the Kickstart Experience Programme (Kickstart) at the Homai Campus of BLENNZ (Blind, Low Vision Education Network, New Zealand). Homai is a suburb of Manurewa, Auckland.
Student A was blind and the other three (Students B, C and D) were partially sighted. Two were young women and the other two were young men. The teacher and the two residential youth workers involved with Kickstart (the staff) joined the lessons to assist me with any health and safety issues.
Two of the staff and myself observed positive changes by the third lesson with two of the students (A and C) and changes were noticed in all students by the end of the six weeks.
The biggest improvements occurred in the areas of balance, posture, fall prevention and stress management. These changes were noted by observation, rather than by quantitative measures.
At the end of the pilot, the students reported on the effects they had noticed and a sample of their comments is as follows:
- Student A: I don’t fall down as often.
Tai chi with the students. The Kia Ora Tai Chi instructor (Jocelyn Watkin) is in the blue shirt.
- Student B: I’m more relaxed. I’m not stressing.
- Student C: I can now balance on one leg.
- Student D: Tai chi helps me to calm down. I sleep so much better on the night after the class.
As an additional benefit, two of the staff also commented on positive changes in themselves as a result of joining in with the tai chi lessons, such as feeling more energised during the class and more relaxed afterwards.
The pilot was successful and it was agreed to continue with the tai chi lessons until the end of Term Two (July 7th) and also for Term Three (26 July to 29 September).
More about the pilot:
I used the Sun-style Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention Programme (the programme) for the 6-week pilot, for which I am certified to teach by the board of the Tai Chi for Health Institute. This programme has been developed by Dr Paul Lam and the Tai Chi for Health Institute to improve balance and posture, strengthen leg muscles and is used extensively for fall prevention. Qigong breathing is an integrated part of the programme and is especially beneficial for overall health, mental relaxation and to manage stress.
During the pilot, all four students learned selected warm-up exercises and the first eight steps of the programme. Student A had 12 one-hour lessons in total over the six weeks: one lesson per week as a 1-on-1 with the instructor and then one 1-hour lesson per week with the other three students (B, C and D).
The purpose of the pilot was to determine if the programme could help the four students with one or more of the following:
- Balance
- Posture
- Fall prevention
- Stress management
- Confidence
- Physical strength and general fitness
- Flexibility (joints and/or overall movement)
- Spatial awareness
- Self-defence
The success of the pilot was attributed to a number of factors, including good preparation, the type of tai chi (Sun-style), the Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention Programme (including qigong), my expertise in tai chi, martial arts and teaching, the support of the Kickstart staff and the willingness of the students to give tai chi a go.
For a copy of the full evaluation of the pilot, please get in touch using the contact form on this website.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 14, 2017 | Information |
Energy – we all want more! Tai chi is the only exercise I know that seems to give you energy or at least makes you feel more energised.
Good energy levels are strongly connected with good breathing, which is a key component in tai chi.
Of course, without breath there is no life. You’ve probably heard that old tai chi joke: Student asks: “Master, what is the secret of a long life?” Master replies: “Keep breathing for as long as you can.”
I’ve recently upgraded my instructor qualifications to include Tai Chi for Energy. This programme was created by Dr Paul Lam of the Tai Chi for Health Institute by combining the movements of two different tai chi styles, Chen and Sun:
- Chen style is vigorous and complex, combining fast and slow movements with powerful spiralling, seemingly elastic force.
- Sun style incorporates unique qigong (life energy) movements with agile stepping.
Together, these two contrasting styles enhance energy flows, which can relax, refresh and revitalise. As such, Tai Chi for Energy can help to improve your health and wellness, internal energy, and the ability to manage stress. This form is a natural sequel of Tai Chi for Rehabilitation (which I’m also qualified to teach).
I look forward to teaching my students this exciting and energising tai chi form.
Find out more:
Jocelyn Watkin (centre) was awarded the Tai Chi for Energy Instructor qualification by Master Trainers Janet Cromb (left) and Tamara Bennett (right)
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jan 29, 2017 | Information |
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:
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jan 26, 2017 | Information |
In the beginning, there was a supreme nothingness and then there was tai chi (supreme everything).
This legend is according to ancient Chinese philosophy, which includes Daoism (Taoism) and Confucianism. In the beginning, the universe was a supreme emptiness – called “Wuji” [English spelling of the Chinese characters]. The Chinese characters can mean infinite or ‘without a ridgepole’ (sort of like not having a geographic, magnetic nor a celestial pole). Wuji is like saying “without ultimate” or “the ultimate nothing”.
Then the Chinese equivalent of “The Big Bang” happened and Taiji (“supreme ultimate”) came into being. The literal translation of the Chinese characters for “Taiji” is “Great Pole”, words that can be used to describe the vastness of the universe. As well as “Taiji” the English spelling is often “Tai Chi”.
According to Wikipedia: The “supreme ultimate” creates yang and yin: movement generates yang; when its activity reaches its limit, it becomes tranquil. Through tranquillity, the supreme ultimate generates yin. When tranquillity has reached its limit, there is a return to movement. Movement and tranquillity, in alternation, become each the source of the other.
The first known written reference to tai chi appeared in the Book of Changes over 3,000 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty (1100-1221 BC). In this book it says that “in all changes exists Tai Chi, which causes the two opposites in everything.”
The martial arts form of tai chi is called [in English] Tai Chi Chuan (also known as Taijiquan). The Chuan part means ‘boxing’ or ‘shadow boxing’. Combined, the phrase means “supreme everything boxing”, and includes a Chinese meditation system, health practice and internal martial art. All of this is included in the abbreviated term “tai chi”.
While tai chi has its origins in the mists of time, the formalised, martial arts tai chi forms were created in the late 1600s. The first of these was Chen style. Several variants of the Chen-style form have evolved over the centuries and are taught in many countries in the world.
Read more about the origins and styles of tai chi from Dr Paul Lam: History of Tai Chi
by Jocelyn Watkin | Oct 8, 2016 | Information |
Wish you had a magic wand?
Do you wish you had a magic wand so you could be better at tai chi? Do you believe that your lack of coordination will hold you back or that you’re not ‘naturally gifted’?
The truth is out – you don’t have to be genius or gifted at all. And, you don’t need magic, either. It turns out that what our mothers always said is actually right: Practice makes us better.
“Bounce” by Matthew Syed
I’ve been reading a great book on this topic by three-times Commonwealth table-tennis champion, Matthew Syed. Matthew explores what it takes to be successful in sport (and in life) in his book: Bounce: the myth of talent and the power of practice He proves that effort and sustained purposeful practice brings excellence.
So, how do you practice ‘purposely’? Here are some ideas:
- Set a regular tai chi practice time each day. It doesn’t matter what time of the day, just do it when it is the BEST time for you. If you have arthritis or are stiff, you will know when your joints are their best.
- Make a start, even if you only have a few minutes at that time. 5 minutes is better than nothing, as long as you warm up. 10 minutes is better than five. 20 minutes is ideal. It is better to practice every day than to have longer tai chi workouts for only two or three times a week.
- Start with the warm-up exercises or the Qi Gong breathing exercises.
Some students tell me they don’t like to practice in case they get it wrong. Here are more ideas to help:
- Everyone is different: age, body shape and some may have health issues or injuries. There are many different ways to do tai chi and never one perfect way.
- After the warm-up, do the tai chi form or moves you know best. Go over these several times and for as long as you as you feel comfortable. If you feel any pain, please stop immediately.
- Follow the essential tai chi principles: http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/essential-tai-chi-principles-2/
- Follow along with a teaching DVD such as Tai Chi for Arthritis by Dr Paul Lam.
- Prepare questions to ask your teacher the next time you attend a class.
Remember, it is about effort – not talent (nor magic). Practice will help you to say Kia Ora (Hello) to better tai chi.
Find out more:
No need to wish upon a star to be better at tai chi
