Relating to Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Dao Yin and related disciplines that may further advance our understanding and skills.
'Events, like time, will come and go, if you are not there, then the moment will be lost forever.'
There are no 'ordinary' moments.
Are you still clinging to the past with no free hands
to grasp the future?
with Simon and Richard Watson. An excellent day all round.
Saturday 4th June 2016 in Weymouth.
Maintaining current coaching skills with the BCCMA organised by Longfei and taught by Chris Ellerker in Codicote Herts March 12th 2016.
tai chi related training. 20th June 2015
with Dr Wang Zhi Xiang from Shanghai.
An experiential study of the principles.
Sunday 28th September, 2014
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Rodney John from Toronto, Canada joined us and taught some principles. As a teacher and person he had humility, patience, humour and great demonstrable skill in the message he tried to get over to us. The entire class enjoyed his presence.
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Richard will be teaching on 11th June 2014 at the Welcome Hall, Trimley St Mary, Felixstowe.
An event in aid of MacMillan Cancer Care.
Contact Chris at Life Arts for details
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An Introduction to
Chi Kung
20th August 2013 7-8.30pm
An experiential workshop to gain an understanding of Chi Kung.
Exploring principles and how they effect the body and mind.
We'll look at an excellent balancing exercise and the
Wu Feng Jong (5 minute exercise) as well as some extracts of the Dao Yin
systems as currently taught in Beijing. Suitable for total beginners and serious students alike. Loose comfortable clothing
At the Living Tree Centre
Barnstaple
20th August 7-8.30pm
Contact ~ 01271 342687 or [email protected]
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It was a multi cultural event with people of different cultures and languages. None of that mattered as we practiced what is universal, literally 'of the universe', nature itself.
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12 January and 13 January
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Normal Garden Admission
After the gastronomic excesses of Christmas, join us to bolster your resolutions at a time when they may be flagging. Come along and sample massage, makeup, hairdressing and beauty, aromatherapy, tai chi, dance and much, much more. Blow away those winter blues and start the New Year as you mean to go on.
RHS GARDEN ROSEMOOR Great Torrington, DEVON
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12 January and 13 January
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Normal Garden Admission
After the gastronomic excesses of Christmas, join us to bolster your resolutions at a time when they may be flagging. Come along and sample massage, makeup, hairdressing and beauty, aromatherapy, tai chi, dance and much, much more. Blow away those winter blues and start the New Year as you mean to go on.
RHS GARDEN ROSEMOOR Great Torrington, DEVON
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We looked at ; being calm and centred, correct mechanical posture, engaging with the energies and psychological aspects .
Mind Body Soul Fayre
Parkhouse Centre, Bude, Cornwall.
An excellent event with many and varied therapists, sales goods and mediums.
Saturday 17th November 2012
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a real master
A extraordinarily talented teacher and master of Yang style Tai Chi, Dr Wang Zhi Xiong from Shanghai is in Devon, UK in 2012, North Devon 8th and
South Devon 9th September.
The two day event will be hosted by Mick Leslie and
Rita Mikalauskas.
Tai Chi presentation at Mind Body Soul Fayre, Parkhouse centre, Bude Cornwall, UK 11th August 2012.
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Queen's Diamond Jubilee Event
Bideford Pannier Market
Saturday 2nd June 2012
Yang style;
Tai Chi Sword and Sabre (Jian and Dao) demonstration
plus beginning section of long form
and also
Aiki Jo demo 13 kata and 31 kata (Japanese)
(Event runs all day, tai chi demo 12.30 to 1.00 pm)
A delightful family fun day in Bideford.
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LONGFEI TAIJIQUAN ASSOCIATION GB
TELE/FAX: 01707 654838 email: [email protected]
WEB: www.longfei-taiji.co.uk
QI GONG – DAOYIN SEMINAR
SIMON WATSON 6th Duan
PRESIDENT OF THE ENGLISH DAOYIN YANG SHENG GONG FEDERATION
Professor Zhang Guang De's Sole UK representative
Saturday 25th February 2012
9.30 – 16.30
Lochinver House School,Heath Road, Little Heath, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1LW
Main Program: 12 Forms Daoyin
5 Minute Exercise (for blood and qi) warm up
13 Stretching Exercise warm up
Group photo below;
RHS Rosemoor, Torrington, North Devon.
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th, January 2012
New Year - New You, Event
A chance to sample , pilates, massage, makeup and beauty, aromatherapy, yoga and of course Tai Chi.
The event focuses on the link between such arts
and gardening itself.
Richard will be there from 10. am to 4. pm each day for demonstrations, talks and questions on Tai Chi and
the nature relationship.
(Admission is by normal garden entry.)
Another experimental meditation evening
looking at
Breathing Meditations Candle Meditation
Raja Yoga Meditation Sound Meditation.
Methodist Church Hall , High street , Bideford.
Tuesday 30th August 2011
Arrive 7.00 pm for a cuppah
Starts 7.10 pm, no late admissions.
Finishes 8.30 pm
(car parking free in evening), Cost £3 (all profit to charity)
Report. ..... evening went well with about 16 people enjoying a cup of tea amongst a like minded and friendly group and then briefly but joyfully exploring in their own way the variations on meditation selected for the evening.
(I wish I could have this many come to the Tai Chi class !!)
All profits from the evening have been sent to a worthwhile charity.
(Photo of main group below ..... including 'Orb' visitors)
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Longfei Summer Camp 24th-25th July 2011
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Meditation evening.
Not a Tai Chi event but something that can
lead you in the right direction.
An 'experimental' evening of guided meditation
at the Methodist Church Hall, Bideford
on Tuesday 5th July 2011
Car parking free
Refreshments provided
Tai Chi & Chi Kung
Forms, powers and secrets revealed at
Koriana Mind and Body Centre,
on the beautiful island of
Kefalonia, Greece.
Richard Small from Devon UK
Registered with BCCMA and Tai Chi Union GB
Instructor with Longfei Taijiquan Assn GB
20th April to 2nd May 2011
Class times each day will be the same throughout the course.
Mornings: 10 am -11.30 am
Evenings: 5pm – 6.30 pm
I invite you to join me and discover;
* Simple but correct Tai Chi form and postures
* How to use your body in line with the principles.
* How to feel and move energy within and beyond the body.
* How to find great stability and great power.
* How to engage the pressure points and meridians to improve health.
* Unbelievably simple but life changing exercises.
* Discover about yourself that which you would otherwise remain unaware in life.
Report on Easter Kefalonia training.
What do they say? 'opportunity knocks but once'.
The few students who did attend made great progress in their understanding of the principles. We had the pleasure of Sergei a 3rd dan in Aikido and from Russia, who attended every class and hopefully gained much information that he can take back home. The setting for the training could hardly have been better. I learned a lot myself.
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Codicote, Herts Hosted by Longfei Taijiquan Assn GB
13th November 2010
Excellent teaching by Chris Ellerker, the update included some revealing facts about nutrition ..... change of diet coming up!!
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At Wellsprings Aikido in Corfe Mullen, Dorset
Friday evening class on use of hips ... how we understand the teaching, Spirals and circles in applications and the effects of gripping and being gripped.
An attempt to understand the internal aspects of Aikido.
19th November 2010.
Teacher Richard Small 3rd Dan TIA Europe
Hosted by Sensei Mark Allcock 2nd Dan TIA Europe.
see wellspringsoftheeast.co.uk/ Photo below ... a great evening even if the students found searching for the wuji state a touch boring. Time went so quickly that the class was over before we had completed the programme ... perhaps there will be another invite !!
Simon Watson, senior instructor for
Longfei Taijiquan of Great Britain and
President of the English Daoyin Association
teaching
Professor Zhang Guande's sets of Chi Kung
that has many health benefits
Saturday 4th September 2010
at Roundswell Community Centre
Roundswell, Barnstaple, North Devon.
Time 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
photo below.
Longfei Summer School - sword class.
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Master Liu Ji Shun
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with 6th Dan Sensei Paul McGlone
unquestionably one of the most technically proficient Aiki weapons teachers you will ever find.
Doubt it? Then turn up and see for yourself.
More details on Aiki Jo page .
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Great news, Longfei are off to China for two weeks. Training at the Dao Yin Institute and also with Proffessor Li Deyin in Beijing, topped off with 3 days on the Yangtse River. All in all expected to be a thrilling and enlightening visit.
It was a wonderfull time, great people, amazing culture, excellent food and the best of teaching from the likes of Professor Li Deyin and Master Liu and his son, also a master. I personally took the opportunity to study the Dao (broadsword or sabre) and learned a great deal in general from teachers, other students and even fellow passengers on the boat. (For boat read ship, as it was big enough .. over 300 passengers and well over 100 staff) I am sure that the Longfei newsletter will have a full report. Some photos have been placed at the end of the Gallery page.
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Last of many night's classes over the years at Dojo.
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A PSYCHIC WITH A DIFFERENCE
Tony Sargeant
of
The Korianna Mind & Body Centre
Kefalonia, Greece
FRIDAY JANUARY 22nd 2010
7.30PM TO 9.30PM
To be held in the historic 17th Century
Kingsley Room, Royal Hotel
Bideford, North Devon
Cost: £10.00
Light refreshments will be provided
On a cold winter’s evening, this is your chance to be warmly
entertained, enlightened and perhaps even change your life –
no matter what your belief or background.
Internationally recognised in the oriental arts, Tony Sargeant
is a Clairvoyant and Medium with multiple psychic abilities.
Come and hear what the future may hold for you.
Introduction
Tony will tell how he discovered his powers and
how you might find yours
Meditation and opening of chakras
Tony will invite the audience to ask him for readings
Closing meditation and closing of chakras
There will be an opportunity to talk privately to Tony.
Spaces are limited so to avoid disappointment book now by telephoning Richard on: 01271 345513
or use the contact page of this web site.
To find out more about Tony, please visit his website:www.mindbodymanagement.com
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Report on Psychic event.
Aiki Jo workshop, Saturday 23rd January with
Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan
Takemusu Iwama Aikido Europe.
Details on Aiki Jo page of this site.
Report is on Aiki Jo page now.
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Christmas party for Tai Chi students; 14th Dec 2009
Below. A poem on papyrus by Pam. It came with a bundle of logs for my wood burner.
My grateful thanks to all my students without whom life could never be so good.
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Sword workshop; Master Wang Yanji in Potters Bar hosted by Longfei taiiquan association of Great Britain, 7th November 2009
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Saturday 5th September 2009
10.00 am to 4.00 pm
"Why we do Chi Kung and Tai Chi"
- how to open the door to treasures of a lifetime,
a one day experiential workshop with
Simon Watson
Senior instructor of Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain
Principal Instructor for the English Association of
Dao Yin Yang Shen Gong
and currently graded 6th Duan by Beijing University, China.
Looking at Dao Yin, Chi Kung and Tai Chi, and their inter-relationship with the meridians in the body and their associated health benefits.
We will explore the internal aspects of meridians and how they relate to the exercise.
RHS Rosemoor Gardens, Torrington, North Devon ;
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"You know how occasionally you might see someone, perhaps on the telly or on stage somewhere, and you may watch this person perform and 'do their thing' for an hour or two, and afterwards, when the show is over, you may switch off the telly or come away from the theatre, and it is only then that it suddenly dawns on you... 'Wow! That was something very special!' This is how it feels for me today. Down at RHS Rosemoor yesterday, in a large marquee bombarded from time to time by the blustery elementals playing in the gorgeous gardens, Simon Watson gave us a master class in serenity, calm, and the blissful beauty of true connection. I will be absorbing and processing the fascinating information he so freely and happily gave us for weeks to come. My personal journey is a little bumpy at the moment, and there were times yesterday when the energies being created and experienced had me feeling a little rough - but today I feel settled again, and truly blessed that I had the opportunity to share the space with such a generous and gifted teacher. His good humour and sunny smile was a delight on the day, and the visions I hold in my mind of his awesome tai chi demonstration at the end will stay with me, I hope, for a long long time - inspiring me to new levels in my own practice. Thank you to Simon for coming all this way to see us, and thank you Richard for organising it all!
The above comment from Mya seems to say it all, for me to write what we learned would not help you nor do the event justice .... you needed to be there. Suffice it to say that the insights we were given into meridians and the effects of stimulating them through a focussed and precise exercise did what the workshop set out to do - to open the door to treasures of a lifetime, yours, and longevity with health. So thank you to Mya and all those lovely students that supported the event. Richard.
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Below; group photo in the marquee at the end of Simon's workshop
Simon Watson front row centre right. Links to Dao Yin are available on the links page of this site.
Longfei Summer Camp - report
The excellent facilities on offer at the campus included truly magnificent breakfasts in variety and quantity ... mmm ... very nice.
From 10 am to 5.30 pm classes were held for the 24 forms taijiquan, the Taiji fan form or two full days with Master Wang Yanji on Taiji Dui Lian.
Saturday evening was to be special, and over an hour of demonstrations by students of Longfei performed in honour of Professor Li, this being 20 years of the association.
Later that evening before the banquet a special ceremony was held whereby Master Wang Yanji , Tary Yip and our own Simon Watson were made indoor disciples of Professor Li Deyin. My understanding is that they become lineage holders, just like him being their father. This is a great and rare honour and carries high responsibility.
Simon Watson has been a capable and dedicated student over twenty years and it was with great pleasure we witnessed him being honoured so.
A photo of the group is below, Professor Li Deyin centre front, Simon Watson centre back. Master Wang Yanji and Master Tary Yip to the right.
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Aiki Jo 2 hour workshop in Bideford, North Devon,
by visiting Black belt instructor 18th July.
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DEYIN TAIJIQUAN INSTITUTE (GB) Yang style Taiji Dao workshop with Professor Li Deyin ....
28th June 2009; in Wolverhampton.
Traditional Yang Style Sabre (Dao) - a routine called Taiji 13 Sabres referring to 13 hand postures describing the 13 main techniques.
The Yang Style Sabre was designed by Yang Chengfu as was this routine ... unless I have misunderstood !
Some of our questions were not answered by Professor Li, and his reason was, ' Yang Chengfu did not write down any explanations and therefore to make up an answer would be to interfere with the essence of the form. The interpretations of teachers, no matter how good can ultimately change the form'
Professor Li is a skilled brilliant teacher and a most sincere student of the way.
Longfei AGM
Richard attended the AGM of Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain on 7th June 2009, held in Hertfordshire with typical generous hospitality and meaningfull dialogue.
Discussions included the summer camp and one or two of its secrets (can't tell you here) and the planned trip to return to China (with opportunities to train at the Dao Yin Institute, as well as a site seeing trip on the Yangtsee River) Pluss the usual discussions of an AGM.
Students should never underestimate the value of the association that supports and guides their own teacher.
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14th June 2009 at Goodleigh.
Subject - internal principles - deeper understanding of Yang form- common ground between Yoga and Tai Chi. Cost £30. Time 10 am to 4.30 pm.
Very well attended it was a great day of exploration by Yoga and Tai Chi students alike.
Audrey Smith of Lotus Yoga, Rita Mikalouskas of Natural Tai Chi Devon and Mick Leslie of World Wide Association of Chinese Martial Arts all taught
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North Devon Martial Arts Forum.
Judo, Iaido, karate, kung Fu, Tai Chi, self defence were some of the arts shared by the members attending. A great day with a lot of informative teaching and enjoyment at the same time.
Longfei Taijiquan Associaton hosts Master Wang Yanji (from Sweden) 9th and 10th May 2009.
Master Wang Yanji is indeed a master, you can check him out on U tube or better still attend his UK workshops hosted by Longfei TaijiQuan Association of Great Britain.
The workshops were divided into 3 hour sessions and the three that I attended were the 'Simplified 24', the '32 Sword' and 'push hands/da lu'
Master Wang introduced the class with some enlightening exercises that developed the correct feeling to engage in Tai Chi practice .... the essence of the art perhaps. There were all manner of insights in to postures and their value. As I try to write what he told us I find it difficult because I was left with an understanding which is difficult to express accurately .... Master Wang's primary languages are Chinese and Swedish - he is the first to admit that his english at times can be confusing or amusing - this is not true of his demonstrations of the arts. I think I will leave only one expression with you that made a lot of sense to me. As regards the attitude of the wrist and hands he said ' the hands must work .... they are not on holiday!' Such a simple expression can convey so much more than essays, photos and explanations .... the essence of learning. Think about it ... what part of you is 'on holiday' at the moment. Being in the now, awareness, power ....
My advice to you is to try and see such teachers, you will not regret it. Richard
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Tai Chi Union of Great Britain. Festival of Chinese Martial Arts. Oxford 4th April 2009
Leaving just after 6.30 am I arrived in Oxford some 4 hours later to meet up with some lovely Tai Chi friends from other parts of the country ... and other countries too!
I am sure there will be a report coming out on the TCUGB web site, (see links page)
Now published in issue No 30 of their magazine Tai Chi Chuan & Oriental Arts.
I trained with Ceciel Kroes on W.CC Chen push hands; some interesting experiences to try in weight shifting and the feeling within the Lao Gung point etc. Ian Kendall took a session on the martial applications of the principle ' they do not move - I do not move. They move - I arrive first'. This was a rewarding and fun filled excercise carried out in groups of 3 or 4.
In the afternoon after listening to the AGM I joined others in trying out applications from Wu style Sabre ... apologies to Alex whose wooden sabre didn't seem to have the same resilience as my metal one! Then another teacher from Holland teaching Wu style push hands, Richard Zwaart. We all become beginners when we try another's art for the first time and I was just pleased to have the correct foot and hand in use!
Other teachers present , Ronnie Robinson, Faye Yip (on Fan) Eva Koskuba (chi kung) and Marnix Wells (bagua) . The meeting concluded with a discussion between all present. I joined a colleague from Longfei to find a pub for dinner before setting off to return to Devon. My colleague was staying to enjoy the following day's competitions .... just in case one day he fancies a go. Go for it Steve!. Richard
PS a couple of years later and Steve is a medal winner in competition and runs his own classes in Biggleswade Beds.
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Hosted by Simon and Richard Watson of Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain at Lochinver House school, Potters Bar and taught by Master Wang Yanji - a martial artist for 50 years.
To be truthful it is no good just reading about these events, you really need to be there and see for yourself. For each of us at our different stages in learning, where ever that may be, Master Wang provides us with our next step - and even those at the highest level will come away with some gem to treasure. We had an in depth look at the simplified 24 form and some key points, eg, how you enter in to play lute .. and the value in different ways.
In the 32 sword we had all manner of revelations and this from a man whose teacher was the great Li Tian Ji. Why does a sword have tassles? How can an Elephant help your Tai Chi? What importance is there to the angle a sword is held?
These and many more were given good answers from an expert, an expert that overflows with generosity and humility, an expert martial artist.
(see group photo below)
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Top WACIMA Instructor starts new class.
Internal arts of Tai Chi , Xingye and Lanshou.
Goodleigh village hall Thursday evenings.
For more information contact Mick at 01598 710132
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Is it magic? Will it be magic?
October 16th 2009 will see the usual Bideford class entertained by a young Magician for the first 20 minutes of the class. Class will start promptly at 10.00 am in the Methodist Church Hall, High Street , Bideford. We will then seek to understand the 'magic' in Tai Chi. It is hoped that this event will give us an inspirational push on the path. If you have an interest in Tai Chi then perhaps you'd like to join us. Details are on the page 'Classes'.
You can check out our guest's credentials on www.magicryan.co.uk
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Simon Watson seminars in Devon.
(More about Simon on the Longfei web site see links page of this site)
One day workshops
2004 Concentrating on elements of simplified 24 Yang style
2005 Chi Kung and Tai Chi … thought provoking theory and practice of Chi Kung & principles functions and health issues of internal martial arts.
2006 Chi Kung concentration sequence plus purpose function and structure and improvement of postures.
2007 Dao Yin Yang Shen Gong .. general health set plus simple Tai Chi practice to examine the similarities and benefits of these arts.
2008 Evaluation of major styles of Tai Chi , similarities and differences and benefits to the student.
2009 At Rosemoor Gardens Torrington. Subject Dao Yin, meridians, and their relationship with health and longevity.
5th Sept 2009.
2010 At Roundswell. Subject 'What lies beneath technique' and 'Concentration Exercise' .... a Chi Kung with multiple health benefits. Mind and life changing ideas.
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Senergy Probes Workshop
14th December 2009 Abington Barns Cambridge ... an absolutely brilliant day with all sorts of talented and pleasant people to mix with on a journey of exploration in the field of 'healing'. It was much more, ... more than what? More than I can describe, it's one of those things that when you describe it , they think you're mad ... when you go there, interest turns to belief and not long after belief turns to knowing. Though I am pleased to say I have known Tony for many years now he never ceases to amaze me just how much more he has to offer ... every time ! Synergy probes workshops and system can be further investigated on the 'mind body management' link on the links page.
15th December Chinese meal get together for the classes . Well done to Pam who organised the event. We missed a few good friends due to the seasonal illnesses that come our way at this time of year ... well that's what they said anyway! Good food, good company and wonderful selection of jokes from Toby ... I've told the one about the circus to loads of people already. Why not join us in classes and join us at our next events too.
Mind – Body Energy workshop
A day with Tony Sargeant
Bideford.
Saturday 21st February 2009
10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Tony Sargeant, a talented individual with a generous teaching spirit and of international acclaim. A skilled practitioner of Aikido (6th Dan), Yoga, Tai Chi (studied in China) and healing arts (created the Synergy Probe System), also having clairvoyant and psychic abilities; such visitors are rare in the North Devon – an opportunity not to miss.
Primarily his workshop is being hosted for the benefit of Tai Chi students; however,his workshop is open to all, young and old alike and may interest anyone in therapy work, martial arts or just being interested in self awareness and their own energy development.
We shall explore exercises and practices that take us beyond mere choreography, beyond to the energy realms that are greater than mere body power alone. These exercises will tap into mind which is beyond thought alone. There will be a chance for personal advice on how to engage these energies and improve your power, coordination and relaxation. You should be able to reach a stage where you tangibly ‘feel’ energy.
21st Feb 09 Group photo at mind body energy workshop.
Tony Sargeant teaching, (centre of first row standing)
A very enjoyable workshop based on the search for mind/body energy; students included a number of high profile teachers some of whom had travelld great distances to attend.
There was an opportunity for teachers to contribute to the event which regarless of what was done pursued the theme of energy sensitivity. If I write what we did that day you'll just think me mad ... so I won't ... you needed to be there, then you'd know there was no madness, just discovery.
One or two additional photos are in the gallery.
AIKI Jo Workshop with Sensei Tony Sargeant 6th Dan (Japan)
Grenville College, Bideford 22nd February 2009
Sensei Tony Sargeant’s CV can be accessed on the web, by putting his name into ‘google search’ or
go to www.takemusu-iwama-aikido.org .
Suffice it to say that you will find few equals of his weapons skills in Europe. …. And now you have a chance to find out, right on your own doorstep, no plane fares, no hotel costs, and even free light refreshments thrown in, !!
All styles and levels welcome—just be interested in Aiki Jo ( Harmony of Spirit Japanese short staff)