Completed
This project has now completed. Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see video recordings of the sessions. Thank you for joining in the Milling About – Tai Chi Breeze sessions. If you would like to continue practicing Tai Chi, please join us or contact us.
Thursdays
29th October & 26th November 10:00 – 11:00
12th November & 10th December 13:00 – 14:00
FREE virtual Tai Chi sessions
a mini introduction Tai Chi course for beginners
soft and fluid Tai Chi movements, like a gentle breeze
We are launching a new Tai Chi Breeze project, focusing on being active and connecting with nature, a mini introduction Tai Chi course, as part of the Milling About programme, led by the Mill, in October to December 2020.
Tai Chi combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and graceful movements.
It is also a “soft” martial arts. It helps people improve balance, coordination and concentration and learn self-defence skills.
Tai Chi is great for older people, people in higher risk groups, and people with mental health problems – Covid-19 has brought so much more stress and anxiety for so many people such as people who have lost their jobs. Tai Chi will help strengthen their immune system, whilst calming mind and body.
We will be running four virtual Tai Chi sessions, called Tai Chi Breeze:
- Thursday 29th October at 10:00 – 11:00
- Thursday 12th November at 13:00 – 14:00
- Thursday 26th November at 10:00 – 11:00
- Thursday 10th December at 13:00 – 14:00
- Suitable for all levels, including complete beginners
- FREE
- Virtual class, using Zoom (how to use Zoom)
- Zoom password will be sent two days before
- To book a FREE place please use the form below
What is Tai Chi and its benefits? See our page here.
Structure of each class (60 minutes)
Each class consists of different Qi Gong and Tai Chi elements with some common underpinning principles. We encourage people to sign up all these four sessions, if possible, for this mini beginner course. If not possible, you can indeed sign 1-3 sessions depending on your availability. In either case, recordings will be available after each class, so you may catch up later and/or repeat training in your own time.
| 10 minutes | Welcome and warm up |
| 10 minutes | Qi Gong movements |
| 20 minutes | Tai Chi movements and principles |
| 5 minutes | Mini demonstrations |
| 10 minutes | Standing like a tree meditaion / winding down |
| 5 minutes | Q/A and feedback |
If you are under 18, please print out the Consent Form and get it signed by a responsible adult.
Please note
- You must be well enough to take part in your home
- Participation is at your own risk
- You must have a quiet area suitable for Tai Chi training – enough space around, suitable (non-slip) flooring and a solid chair for balance if required
- Have water available for hydration
- Please be aware that classes will be recorded and loaded on a designated area on the Mills website so you (and other people using the Mills services) can access it at any time for learning purpose.
- Our current limit is 100 participants per session, first come first served
- Deadline for each class is 5pm two days before when Zoom information will be emailed to participants
Register
This project has now completed, so the registration form has been removed.
More information
Set up in 2013, Dao Lu is a community interest company training Tai Chi and promote healthy lifestyle in local green spaces, targeting older people, girls & women, and disabled people. We have regular weekly Tai Chi classes across LBWF and deliver regular Tai Chi sessions in other settings such as care homes, day centres and schools.
Read more about Dao Lu at www.daolu.co.uk
The Mill is a well-established community centre on Coppermill Lane, known as “Walthamstow’s living room”.
The Mill has received funding from the London Community Response Fund to support our local community whilst coronavirus restrictions are in place.
The Mill commissioned Dao Lu CIC and other organisations from different disciplines to create blended online/offline activities which promote well-being and reduce social isolation.
Read more information about Milling About at:
https://themille17.org/2020/09/13/join-us-for-milling-about/
Recordings
29th October 2020 – vimeo.com/473480958
12th November 2020 – vimeo.com/478516206
26th November 2020 – vimeo.com/484092101
10th December 2020 – vimeo.com/489447472
Glossary
Feel free to download and print the glossary (PDF) of terms used in these sessions. For reading online, it’s also copied below:
| Tai Chi / Taijiquan | Grand Ultimate Fist |
| Qigong / Qi gong | Energy work |
| Ba Duan Jin | Eight Pieces of Brocade, one of the most well-known Chinese Qi Gong sets |
| Dan Tien | Energy centre |
| Chen First Form | Chen Style Tai Chi beginner form |
| 5 basic movements | Referring to hand/arm work, silk reeling |
| 3 hand shapes | Palm, hook & fist |
| 5 basic stances (leg positions) | Ma Bu (horse stance) Gong Bu (bow stance) Xie Bu (cross or scissors stance) Pu Bu (crouch or flat stance) Qu Bu (empty or cat stance) |
| Tai Chi steps | Practise heels to toes, weight shifting, move in different directions |
| Greetings | At the start of each class Teacher: Tong Xue Men Hao (students, hello) Students: Lao Shi Hao (teacher, hello) At the end of each class Teacher: Tong Xue Men Zai Jian (students, goodbye) Students: Lao Shi Zai Jian (teacher, goodbye) |