MDA Dublin News
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We've got a new class opening in Sallins, Co Kildare.
The class will be running on Sunday mornings, a great opportunity to take a break from the everyday and recharge before the new week arrives.
Click on the link below for further information and booking details.
Now's the time...
One week to go before Sifu Ding is with us in Dublin.
One open Masterclass day running on Sunday 19th Jan. Suitable for all levels, all welcome.
Topic for the day: Rooting and Spiral.
If you're interested in attending, we have space for you, pm ross@masterdingacademy.com for booking details.
For those who have already booked, reminder: the Sunday session will be running from 9:00am-3:00pm. Doors will open at 8:45ish..
See you soon!
Time goes by quickly! In under two weeks we’ll have Masters John and Alan Ding returning to Dublin teaching three days of Masterclasses.
In January we’ll have a one day open Masterclass with master Ding in Dublin
Jan 19th: Open Masterclass 9am-3pm at the Donahies Community School Gym.
Open Masterclass Topic: Rooting and Spiral.
Tai Chi practice is about much more than balance, it’s about stability. While in balance I’m able to maintain a posture and embody the Tai Chi principle. But is that enough? Can I maintain that balance when I need to?
Now we begin to discuss stability.
Spend the day working on two principles fundamental to the development of stability: Rooting and Spiral.
Open Masterclasses are open to all, suitable for all, from the newest beginner to the most seasoned practitioner. All welcome.
For those new to Tai Chi we’ll be breaking these concepts down into simple exercises, some we can perform solo, others with a partner, that will allow us to begin to understand these concepts and their interrelated nature.
For those with experience, let’s see how far we can take it. The question isn’t, ‘can I do it?’, it’s, ‘how well can I do it?’
If you’re interested and wish to book a place, or have a question, email Ross Cousens at
ross@masterdingacademy.com
Merry Christmas everyone!!
A little rest and recuperation can go a long way.. If that rest means rest from the craziness of the day.. I hear a little Tai Chi in a quiet place can do wonders for the soul.
Enjoy! Well see you in the New Year.
Master Ding Academy Ireland
Tai Chi Introductory Courses will be commencing in Malahide, Clontarf, Dundrum and Ranelagh in the week commencing January 6th.
January is a busy time and Course places are limited, contact:
ross@masterdingacademy.com
for details.
Last Saturday we had a great day working together on the two person exercise, Ta Lu.
For those who were trying Ta Lu for the first time we spent the morning looking at the, ‘four corners’, the introduction into the Ta Lu form. We focussed on getting the basic postures right while the body was taking the opportunity to develop aspects of sensitivity and distancing.
For those with previous experience we focussed on the Ta Lu form, again deepening our understanding of sensitivity and distancing while also working on flow, connection and most importantly, maintaining connection through change.
While not easy, flow within our own body is the first step, through continued partner work we begin to develop the ability to flow with our partner, first maintaining contact, then through that contact, connection.
In the afternoon we took the opportunity for everyone to work together, beginners and experienced, to take a look through the keyhole into the Martial Art room of the Tai Chi house.
Sensitivity and connection allow us to begin to understand our partner and a certain playful interaction develops. And through play, we learn quicker.
Well done all, keep your eyes peeled for the next workshop, coming soon!
Our Ta Lu workshop is coming up quickly, this week is the last week to take advantage of our earlybird rate.
For those who are interested in experiencing the partner work aspect of Tai Chi, this is a great opportunity.
To those new to Ta Lu we'll be breaking down the movements into simple exercises that you'll practice first solo, and then with a partner. By the end of the day you'll have a sequence that you'll be able to take away and practice that will help you develop listening skill and the ability to seamlessly move with your partner.
To those experienced in Ta Lu. we'll be examining the functions of the four corners of the square, finding and sealing the gaps in our system while seeking to discover and exploit the gaps in our partner's.
Last workshop for the year!
Contact Ross Cousens (ross@masterdingacademy.com), for booking details.
We had a great weekend last month with Master Alan Ding. He spent three days with us in Dublin, teaching and sharing with us the benefits of his experience.
We began with a day with the Irish Instructor and senior group, (plus visitors), exploring finer details of the form postures and application. The second and third days were open Masterclasses, these are full day sessions open to all levels and tai chi styles. The topics for these two days were mutually supporting, where the learnings from the first would inform the second, however both could be attended independent of the other, with relevant learnings accessible.
For anyone attending Master Ding’s events, we often hear the dreaded question, ‘so, what did you learn?’ After attending all three days, with their differing subjects, a common theme became apparent. Regardless of the particular posture or movement we were focusing on, a common underlying thread was present.
Verify.
Verify that what we are learning works. Through partner work, specifically posture testing, we can test our understanding and implementation of the tai chi principles. If we can test ourselves and and be sure that the implementation of the principles resulted in a definite improvement, then we can be confident that we are on the right path in our learning.
If we can’t feel that improvement, we have a partner, and if necessary a teacher nearby, to help us uncover the fault and aid in its correction.
Certainly for myself, that was the message of the weekend, don’t just accept, verify. That way we can be sure to be maximising the benefit we receive from our regular practice. If I’m drawing water from a well I’d much rather be using a bucket than a small cup. For the same time spent drawing the vessel up, I get much more result...
Well done to all those in attendance, especially who attended for the first time. We even had a couple of attendees who had only been practicing tai chi for 6 weeks. Talking to them both I saw a mixture of joy at the friendliness and openness of all present, excitement at the realisation of the depth of the art they were beginning to learn, and tiredness, that sure was a full day!
A special thanks to those guests from the UK, Belgium, France and Germany. You’re all very welcome and as always your presence adds further dimension to the weekend.
Now it’s up to us to take what we’ve managed to learn and bring it into our everyday practice. Into our solo practice at home and with our friends in class. That way our tai chi tide rises, and with it, all our tai chi boats.
Excellent!
Our Masterclass weekend is almost here, if you’ve been thinking of attending either or both days but haven't acted yet, do get in touch with Ross Cousens (ross@masterdingacademy.com), to book a place.
As always, we attend classes to focus on form, workshops and masterclasses are for deepening our understanding of Tai Chi principles. As such, how little, (or much), form we know is secondary to our desire to explore and deepen our understanding of the underpinning foundations.
Open to all regardless of style or level.
If you want to learn, you already have all you need..
See you there.
See you on Sat.
Hi Everyone, Master Ding’s Oct 25-27th weekend visit to Dublin is approaching fast.
This week is the last week to take advantage of the Early Bird rate for attendance. Final day Friday 18th Oct.
If you’re planning on attending, get you booking and payment in this week!!
Any questions, contact Ross Cousens an ross@masterdingacademy.com
I will be there!!