The Dragon's Head Blog

Last Saturday, Lamballe center in France hosted a christmas intensive leaded by Ankie Boumans. 88 participants attended from Brittany and Saint Etienne. Ankie instructed us how improving our balance in working on a better centered move. After a potluck lunch prepared in the French food tradition, we spent the afternoon to learn and practice Haïkus, […]

For over a decade the Portland branch has enjoyed a holiday gala including a festive meal and intensive.  This year 140 participants enjoyed a meal with delicious entrees from the branch kitchen plus mouthwatering potluck sides, salads and desserts.  The windowsill snowmen from our first “Make a Snowman Contest” (no real snow allowed) were honored […]

Completing our exploration of opening in the first 17 moves,  we played with appear to close entrance and cross hands. Listen to the push and the elasticity of the body, connect and open. Listen to the roundness of the move. One individual cannot know everything, together we learn from each other.  The 108 moves reflect […]

Over 35 people participated in a Graduation Brunch hosted by the St Petersburg, FL branch. Participants joined the fun by bringing in their favorite dishes. After the final class all enjoyed all the tasty treats.

Lines, angles, timing, balance. Things go where they need to go. The expression comes from the inside. We continued to explore the feeling of opening in the beginning of the set. The movement of hands is driven by the push from the feet. We enjoyed a preview of the preliminary results of the Canadian Health […]

Just a short time before Christmas and all throughout the Windsor branch over 100 participants, family and friends got together for a home-cooked meal prepared by all on Saturday December 3. The Windsor Banjos played softly while 25 children danced and sang and made crafts throughout the day. As Santa arrived they jumped and they cheered […]

On Saturday November 26, 2016 “The Tiger’s Mouth” took place, an event that was held in our clubhouse in Florence and was attended by members from all Italian branches, non-members, doctors and health professionals. It was an important opportunity for all to share experiences and information. Gianluigi Occhipinti, rheumatologist, although not be present, made available […]

Building on yesterday’s strong foundation, we continued to work on opening up,  focusing on the don-yu and the first few moves of the set.We were reminded that when we drop our elbows, the Latissimus dorsi muscle relaxes. Going all the way up will align the structure, allowing a natural drop with the knees following. We […]

Over 130 participants are gathered for Fall Tai Chi week, lead by Marsha Eberhardt, at the International Centre in Orangeville.  We worked together on our Tor-yu, one of our foundations, and continued to explore our feet, the foundation we stand on. We discussed the physics of the 49/51 forces coming from our foundation and put […]

This  is our 4th annual Taichiathon, taking place in our national centre in Ballina. Members from all Irish branches — some practising Taoist Tai Chi® arts for years, some who have not even finished a beginner class — came along to enjoy this event together. Everyone gave a donation to help Dunedin.  We started at […]

Bees Bees have decided to to join us in a tree located behind the house.  They are hard working aggressive honey bees according to the beekeepers we have asked to come out to move them. One of our participants, Steve Klar, of Klar and Klar Architects, is also a beekeeper. He and his friend set up […]

This report is from the South European Centre in Madrid. How to make the sweet delicious “Dulce de Membrillo Florida” (Florida Quince Cheese), as a fundraiser for our home in Dunedin.

Comments from participants… If I could do Taoist Tai Chi® practice seven hours a day everyday I think I could live forever. – Mona Pinette   I had the most wonderful happy clouds. – Amy Weisberg   Every single person learns something when we practice Taoist Tai Chi® arts.- Renate Ewart   Thanks to our wonderful […]

More comments from CIT week participants… Enlightening- Anonymous After four days of the workshop my body has already reset. – Willy van de Sman Perfect weather, perfect workshop, perfect food, perfect instruction. – An Oregonian I am loving the workshop. My brain wants to explode but I don’t want it to explode. I want to […]

This is my first workshop and it has been amazing. The corrections I received have been of tremendous help in the continuous improvement of my Taoist Tai Chi® practice. – Jojo Khoo Expansive experiences! – Linda Thompson I am always amazed at how much I thought I knew. – Ed Bell Our goal is to […]

In my prime of youth, active as a surfer and sportsman, a motorcycle accident resulted in my broken back, robbing me of the fun of life and of all sporting action. After 30 years of pain and limited movement, I was reluctantly introduced to Taoist Tai Chi® arts. I tolerated the experience for the first year, […]

Comments from participants… My injury is not limiting me, I am limiting me. – Judy Melcher-King Tons of energy, camaraderie. Great seeing old friends from all over the world. – Donna Jackson Taoist Tai Chi® arts made me a calmer person. Even my colleagues noticed. – Grace Lau

What could be better on a warm sunshiny fall day than 70 participants from the southwest area, Brantford, Niagara and the International Centre (including volunteers from Switzerland and Australia) practicing the 108 moves together outside. The day’s events started with a the location leaders’ meeting and finished with the Instructor Development session. It was a […]

Day 1: CIT Week at the International Center Florida with over 220 participants from all over the world.

76 participants from nine countries enjoyed last weekend an international workshop in Madrid. Martina Pavlovicova led us into the practice of smiling, relaxing, enjoying, opening… Once again the Southern European Centre was everybody’s home. A space of gathering to develop the wide aspects of the Taoist Tai Chi® arts.