Contact the adviser, Peter K

I started to learn Tai Chi in September 1999. I was taught by Christina Bunney who was part of the Leeds Yang Long Form crew; she was taught by Gerde Geddes. I have practised Yang Long Form pretty much every day since then. I do some warm up exercises then what my friend Rob calls a Qigong sandwich with a Yang filling: Qigong, Parts 1 and 2, Qigong, Part 3, and Qigong finish. Nowadays I integrate Tai Chi, Qigong, the Tao Te Ching and Christianity into what I call my Prayer Time.  

I first taught the Yang Long Form at work during 2017/18. About a dozen people tried it but only a couple saw it through to the end. I began teaching Tai Chi to the local U3A in 2017. I started with a couple of one hour sessions per month. Initially we did these in a local school dance studio. I majored on the Yang Long Form with a few Qigong exercises. We seemed to spend ages (years) working through Part 1; we only got through about 20% of the steps. Initially I used the standing on one leg warmup exercises, which put off some people. Those whose balance wasn’t particularly good that day went back to Steady Steps, because they didn’t like falling over J

During 2018 I went to Tai Chi Caledonia for the first time and completed the Tai Chi for Rehabilitation course. It became apparent to me that people preferred to do more Qigong over the Tai Chi Form. Learning the Yang Long Form tends to involve a lot of personal practice, which is a rigour that only a tiny handful are willing to engage with.

On 20th March 2020 it was clear that the lockdown was going to be announced, so I cancelled the class that day. I used the opportunity to try out video conferencing as a means to teach remotely. During lockdown I ran classes most weekdays virtually using Skype, which I recorded and published to YouTube. I ran a weekly class for seated Tai Chi too. There weren’t many of us but it was clearly helping people to feel less isolated.  hence the title: “Isolation should not mean isolated”. Towards the end of these virtual encounters I had moved to an 8 brocades of Qigong and individual Tai Chi steps. We went outside, initially under the rule of 6, and Tai Chi in the Park as born. We maintained social distancing until it was removed; even at our parties. I’ve only had to cancel a couple of classes due to inclement weather. We just wrap up well.

 Over time I’ve come to running one or two half hour sessions per week for u3a. The structure is basically 10 minutes of the Yang 24 step (Short) form and 20 minutes of using a 8 Brocade set format. I use about 20 Qigong moves as the verses and Step 1 – Beginning as the chorus  

 It seemed to me that the Yang Long Form was a bit like marmite; it might have a bit too much umami for most people. People have taken to the 24 step Yang Short Form very well; and we’re starting to get to the stage where some pupils can lead the group through it.

 Here’s an article that I wrote for TCUGB: Tai Chi Chuan & Internal Arts, issue 67

The main focus areas of my role will be to support you:

• In expanding your learning around Tai Chi and Qigong
• If you are looking to set up a new interest group in Tai Chi and Qigong
• Through facilitating the sharing of knowledge, resources and ideas, and bringing together the group leaders and members who are interested in Tai Chi and Qigong

The first thing that I would like to offer is the free resource - Tai Chi and Qigong Union of Great Britain website, and the magazine in particular: Tai Chi Chuan magazine

Secondly you might find the following YouTube channel useful: https://youtube.com/@peterfindingbalance3489?si=DQ1cFI0vEl0zfjQz

I made a video of 24 Step Form in 2020 so people have something to refer to outside of class. Naturally I have done the same for the Long Form. Please let me know what internet resources have been useful for you in learning Tai Chi or Qigong.

I want to establish a regular National u3a Learning Event. This will feature group leaders and members. It would be really helpful if you could let me know if you are the local u3a group leader or the key contact for Tai Chi and/or Qigong. 

It would be really good to know what help you need from me.