We have recently been recording some of Shifu Liu’s live online classes and workshops to help Tai Ji Circle Members and students studying the forms online with Shifu Liu, these are on Vimeo in private showcases to share with our members for study. Shifu Liu recorded in his local park, the 9 Step Form of GM Chen Xiaowang for beginners to reference.
Chris also posted a full live Community Foundation online class, which is available for those who have difficulty accessing Zoom live, so that they can practice when they have time. See Foundation Online with Chris
See the Youtube and Vimeo channel video links. We hope you find them useful.
Shifu Liu is teaching Taiji Ball training online, to increase our strength and power. The class will be after the Laojia Yi Lu online class starting on 25 May, Monday evenings at 19:00.
We used a variety of weighted objects… from a water melon, definitely too heavy… to a bag of sugar. Half to one kilo is the recommended weight to begin with. Any ball will do that is about the size of a small football.
Instead of meeting up outside for training on World Tai Chi Day, we are taking our practice online with Zoom with Tai Ji Circle’s Online Foundation workshop. So come and try the traditional form of Chen Taijiquan (tai chi chuan) with Shifu Liu Quanjun.
Relax and benefit health through practical Foundation training that both relaxes the mind and body and improves strength, balance and coordination. With refreshments breaks and Q&A. Suitable for all levels and new students.
Now at the end of March we are all in the UK and many other countries following government advice to stay safe and well at home, which can be isolating for us all.
At Tai Ji Circle we are moving all our classes online until further notice. Now we have set up our Zoom Taiji Classes and they are working well. We of course miss Shifu Liu’s precise adjustments to posture in a real class, but at least this way we can gather together, follow his movements, discuss any questions and practice together in our own homes.
We have shared our link on information about Yifei Gong, created by Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang to practice at home and support and strengthen our immune system and help lung health.
We recommend that everyone follows the government and NHS guidelines, and contact 111 by phone or online or contact their doctor if they are ill. • the vulnerable and over 70’s remain safe at home, washing the hands if entering or leaving home, and • self-isolation for 7-14 days if you or anyone in your family is ill.
Here are some of the web links for checking full government and NHS guidelines. It is however very important to keep exercising safely for health and well being.
Camden Age UK have also set up a number of activities and services for people aged over 55 who are unwell, self-isolating or struggling to get out that you can take part in from home. They are offering an assisted online shopping service, live streaming music recitals every day, an online book club and a telephone befriending service. Visit www.ageukcamden.org.uk or call 020 7239 0400 to find out more about what they have on offer for Camden residents.
Tai Ji Circle are sorry to say, that due the Covid-19 global outbreak, we have had to abandon our normal schedule of Chen Taijiquan classes with Shifu Liu at the venues as listed on the Timetable.
We will be setting up some online classes through Zoom and will notify you of these as soon as possible when we have made tests to check that it is working smoothly. We are keen to keep in touch so that there is more social interaction and possibility to learn even while we are in our homes. As an attendee to a session on Zoom you can join in without signing up or try a free account to facilitate. Please do email us and get in touch if you are interested.
Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang has created Yifei Gong, a series of movements rooted in Chen Taijiquan’s Old Frame routine, combined with deep breathing, that help to support and strengthen the function of the lungs and immune system during the flu season and the 2019 outbreak of the Coronavirus. Each of the movements should be practiced slowly nine times. Here, is an extract of Master Liu Quanjun from Tai Ji Circle teaching the students in class.
Shifu Liu is teaching Yifei Gong in some of his Foundation classes, here is a shortened version:
Shifu Liu performs extracts from Xinjia Yi and Er Lu
Great start to the Chinese New Year with an invitation from Islington Council to perform Chen Taiji alongside the Islington Chinese Association’s charming performances of the traditional Lion Dance. We performed a range of hand and weapon forms. After several hours out in the cold we ended up sharing a delicious Chinese meal at the Yipin China. Wonderful of our students and friends to come out from far and wide around London to perform, grateful thanks for their support.
Shifu Liu takes care of the baby during our practice!
TJC Christmas celebrations got started with our AGM, updating our students on our news for 2020 and presenting our new training awards for those new friends who had studied hard through the year and who had held their nerve and attended the Chen Taiji Assessments with Shifu Liu the previous weekend.
Shifu Liu then proceeded to teach the Lively Step Da Bei Qi Gong which had everyone up on their feet to try it out, followed by the student Chen demonstrations, some forms in the round, weapons, ball and splendid version of Double Sabres with Lai and Michael circling around each other.
We were incredibly lucky this year to have live traditional Chinese music played for us by Joanna Zhenghui Qiu, such a gifted musician, who supplied such a varied background of music on at least four different traditional instruments, a perfect soundscape for taiji practice.
Huge thanks for everyones help, setting up and taking down, washing up, preparing tasty dishes to share and most important of all taking the time to come along.
Chris was invited to perform a solo Chen routine for the students of Long River Tai Chi with their teacher Richard Selby, at the Ewen Hall in Barnet. It was a lovely occasion with all Richard’s students taking part performing a mix of Yang style and qi gong routines. And it was really wonderful to perform the 38 Chen Form created by GM Chen Xiaowang to live music on the Guzheng (Chinese zither, an instrument with a history of 2.500 yrs) played by Ms Yuet Ho Mok.
This is the first date of Shifu Liu’s extra Saturday classes as outlined below. A great opportunity to practice more Qi Gong, or learn the Chen Spear Form and gain extra strength power training with Shifu.
Shifu Liu’s NEW Saturday Classes 14:00 -17:00 at St Paul’s on: 12, 26 October 30 November and 7 December
Saturday Classes Timetable on dates above: 14:00 -15:00 Shifu Liu’s Private Class: Da Bei Qi Gong (drop-in £10)* 15:00 – 16:00 Chen Taiji Weapons – Chen Spear Form 16:00 -17:00 Chen Martial Applications and strength training
These extra classes are interspersed between workshops.
*Shifu Liu’s private Qi Gong Class Fee: £10.00 (cash only) Regular TJC Term Passes can be used, or normal drop-in fees.
