[Cambridge] Tai Chi for everyone

[karohemd]

For those of you interested in Tai Chi, we (as in the local branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society) will be on Parker's Piece on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (details tbc) and demonstrate what we do. Everyone is encouraged to watch or even take part. Signing up for new beginner's classes starting in September will also be possible. :o)
Anyone who's even only marginally interested should come along and watch. It's great fun and will make you feel good.

There will also be a Tai Chi Awareness day on the 15th of September on New Square (that's the mini park between Grafton Centre and town centre). More details on that as and when I have them.

As last week's, today's lesson concentrated on the review of "Fair Lady Works the Shuttles" (or colloquially, Four Corners) and "Wave Hands Like Clouds" which I'm slowly but surely feel confident with (at our level of expertise, that is, I still have far to go). Next week: "Creeping Low Like a Snake" (*shudder*)

Comments

[claire-smith.livejournal.com]

Ooh, my classes start in two weeks! I can't decide whether I'm looking forward to it, or really nervous!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

You'll be fine!

[briggsy.livejournal.com]

Ooh, a bank holiday! Hurrah!

[nannyo.livejournal.com]

It's very interesting to see the slightly different names used by different teachers: we have "Fair Ladies", "Waving Hands in Clouds" and "Snake Creeps Down", what do you call "Repulse the Monkey"? Which is the backwards stepping, pushing forwards moves before Waving Hands in Clouds in the form that we do.

I'm on a summer break at the moment cos the building we do our Tai Chi in is closed. It's very upsetting.
N.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

"Go Back to Ward Off Monkey" ;o) (or, according to crocodilewings, Custard Pie) ;o)

You'll find slightly different translations in every group because Chinese isn't particularly exact or easy to translate. I would imagine there are variations in the Chinese names as well, for example between Chen and Yang styles. Even within the society, there's "Single Whip" (the new approved name) but many still call it "Whip to one side", which can be confusing for a beginner at a workshop when different instructors use different names.

Aw, that's a shame.

[nannyo.livejournal.com]

We do mostly Chen Man Ching, and some Sun style. The Nicola name for that move is "Stop, in the name of love", and for us, it's definitely single whip too.
N.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

*giggles* I like that name. ;o)

[jasontheknight.livejournal.com]

Ahh, Parker's Piece - do you have any idea why it's called "Piece"? I mean, there's Christ's Pieces as well - it all sounds a bit rude if you ask me

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

No idea, sorry. Don't know who Parker was, either.
You have a far too vivid imagination. ;oP

I do know, however, that the modern rules for football were conceived on Parker's Piece.

[jasontheknight.livejournal.com]

That's fantastic!

Shame Cambridge hasn't got a football team worthy of the name ;)

I was walking through Market Square once and saw a demonstration by some Cambridge United supporters about their ground. They were very noisy for a few minutes, then got bored and went home; probably to watch Man U on the telly!

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Cambridge United suffered from bad management who basically ran it into the ground. At least that's what I heard, I'm not really that interested in football. Apparently, they managed to cut a deal with investors, so they are going to continue for a while.

The bit about the football rules is just one of those little snippets of trivia you pick up when living here.

Heh, sounds about right.