Tai Ji Circle AGM and Christmas Workshop 2021

In December 2021, Tai Ji Circle's students gathered at St Paul's Church hall for the AGM and Christmas workshop. Many were back together for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak. At the workshop, Shifu Liu Quanjun took everyone through Chen Foundation training before teaching Sifang Quan, the Four Direction Fist form.

We thanked our students for attending, and it was lovely to see so many faces back from before the pandemic. The main points agreed for the year ahead were:

• everyone except Shifu Liu would wear a mask in class unless exempt, with an exemption badge;
• there would be no increase to class or membership fees for 2022;
• advance payment for classes and workshops would continue through Bookwhen, which was working well;
• there would be no cash payments, and no casual drop-ins without advance booking, in 2022;
• hybrid classes and workshops, in the venue and online on Zoom, would continue;
• there would be regular monthly workshops in the Chen Taiji weapons, alternating with the Chen hand forms.

Thanks to the online Zoom classes during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, many students had practised every day, and this had helped their coordination and progress. Because they had increased their Nei Gong (inner strength) and reached a higher level of practice, Shifu wanted to move them on to weapons. The benefits are the same as those of Foundation: good balance, coordination and strength. Taiji practice keeps the circulation moving and keeps us younger.

Shifu Liu then described the traditional Chinese view of health. As he explained, these beliefs come from thousands of years of Chinese people observing life and trying to preserve it. In this view, a slowing of the body makes it easier to fall sick. Many are linked to cold and wet Qi, which is why Shifu Liu recommends not eating cold foods or drinking cold drinks. When you practise well and stay warm, and your Qi is full, the wet Qi sweats out and you become healthier and more resilient. The most important thing is to store hot, young Qi in the dantian. If your fingers feel cold, you have already begun to leak Yang Qi. One way to understand the Qi in the body is to observe the hands: if they are soft, full and warm, the Qi is good.

After today, today is gone, so we should use each day as best we can. In Shifu Liu's teaching, diseases are drawn to negative emotions, and being happy all the time is the best way to repel sickness and disease. Your intentions can change your situation. There is a lot of power in intent and thought, positive or negative.

You can develop good feelings through Taiji and Qigong. They help people remove bad feelings and bad intent, and replace them with good feelings and love for others. Part of our practice is to study our own bodies. Once you understand your own body, you can help others to understand theirs. Look after yourself and your own peace of mind before worrying about others or trying to influence them. Use these ideas in your life, in your practice and everywhere.