March 2020: Taiji Classes Move Online

At the end of March 2020, with the UK in its first lockdown, Tai Ji Circle moved every class online. It was the beginning of the online classes that later ran alongside classes in the hall.

By the end of March, people in the UK and many other countries were following government advice to stay safe and well at home, which could be isolating for us all. Tai Ji Circle moved all its classes online until further notice. We had run a test on Zoom shortly before the lockdown, and the Zoom Taiji classes were soon working well. We of course missed Shifu Liu's precise adjustments to posture in a real class. But this way we could at least gather together, follow his movements, discuss any questions and practise together in our own homes.

We also shared information about Yifei Gong, created by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, to practise at home. In the traditional account, it supports the immune system and the health of the lungs.

We recommended that everyone follow the government and NHS guidance of the time:

• anyone who was ill should call 111, use the NHS 111 online service or contact their doctor;
• vulnerable people and the over-70s should stay safe at home, and wash their hands whenever they came in or went out;
• anyone who was ill, or whose family member was ill, should self-isolate for 7 to 14 days.

Even so, it remained very important to keep exercising safely for health and well-being.

Age UK Camden also set up activities and services that people over 55 could join from home if they were unwell, self-isolating or struggling to get out. These included an assisted online shopping service, live-streamed music recitals every day, an online book club and a telephone befriending service.