MDA Dublin News
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Just 15 minutes of Tai Chi practice per day can yield benefits to longevity, the immune system and cognitive function.
So says Dr Michael Mosley in his Just One Thing podcast on the BBC.
So, join a class, do a little practice, it could just change your life!
Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley - Try Tai Chi - BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
How Tai Chi can boost your immune system, rewire your brain and even reduce visceral fat.Gong hei fat choy!
Happy Chinese New Year.
In the Chinese calendar 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese Culture, thus 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
On behalf of everyone in Master Ding Academy Ireland, we wish you all health, peace and prosperity for the year ahead.
Ross
Just a quick reminder about our Jan 22nd Workshop in Clontarf.
If you’re interested in attending but haven’t booked your place yet, we have space available, get in touch and we’ll organise.
See you all soon.
Hi Everyone,
2023 is upon us, we have a busy year planned with classes, workshops, Master Ding Masterclasses and more.
Classes will resume from Jan 4th in Dundrum and progress as normal from then.
When new starters enter classes, one of the questions on the contacts form is, ‘what do you hope to gain from this Course?’ The answers I get back are many, ranging from relaxation and destressing, balance and coordination, and simply a tai chi experience, all the way to ‘I don’t know’.
Certainly, in getting where we want to go it’s useful to have a clear picture of where that is. Otherwise, we might start our journey facing completely the wrong direction and waste valuable time finding the right course.
I feel this is a useful exercise not just at the beginning of our journey, but on a regular basis as we proceed.
• What do I really want?
• The work I’m putting in now, is it bringing me closer to the destination?
• What can I do to optimize the process?
• How can I make my efforts yield greater results?
It’s important for us to individually assess our goals and our efforts in attaining them, being ever mindful that goals change over time, and that’s ok. For some, the goals are lofty, that’s good, but scaling heights takes effort, applied consistently over time. This is the true meaning of Kung Fu.
‘A discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts’.
For others, the opportunity to get out, move the body, stimulate the mind, and have some fun with others is goal enough. And that’s ok too.
I’ve always felt that a strength of the Master Ding Academy is in its ability to serve both groups, in the same space, at the same time.
So, classes are returning, have a think about what you really want, and take a positive step towards it. If you’re not sure how to, ask your teacher, that’s what they’re there for.
Finally, if you’re reading this and your practice has fallen to the side recently, but you want to reenter the room, there’s always a place. Your Tai Chi friends are waiting to greet you once more.
See you soon.
Hi All, I hope you’re have a good Christmas break. Just to let you know that we’ll be running our first 2023 workshop in Clontarf in January. As always, open to all..
Date: Jan 22nd 10am – 4pm.
Location: Clontarf Parish Centre.
Topic: Stability and the Expression of Power: Rooting at the feet and manifesting at the hand.
Expression of Tai Chi power is a process that’s described by Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak as ‘The root is in the feet and is directed by the waist. The form appears at the hands. From the feet to the thighs, the thighs to the waist, all should move in unison’.
Tai Chi Revelations: Principles and Concepts.
This power is distinctly different to strength, it encompasses rooting, releasing the muscles/joints and the complete integration of the body while directing from the centre. In this way power is created in the root, travels through the body and is manifested in the fingertips.
We’ll spend the day breaking this process down into manageable pieces, working simple partner-work exercises to deepen our understanding of their function and finally putting all those pieces together to experience the process, and result, for ourselves.
Exercises are broken down, explained and demonstrated with plenty of opportunities for questions and to feel the teacher performing the particular movement.
This workshop is open to all, beginners to advanced. Don’t be concerned if you feel you’re ‘not experienced enough’, if you have a desire to learn, you have everything you need already.
Cost:
Early bird rate: (payment received in full by Sunday 15th Jan).
MDA members: €70
Non members: €85
Standard rate: (payment received after Sunday 15th Jan).
MDA members: €80
Non members: €95
For enquiries contact Ross Cousens:
ross@masterdingacaademy.com
We’re here at the end of our first proper year following COVID. This year saw the return of a full schedule of classes, the return of travel to the UK and Europe for Master Ding’s workshops and retreats. We also saw the return of our own Ireland based workshops and hosted Sifu Ding in Dublin for a successful series of masterclasses and instructor sessions during the summer.
Thank goodness it seems the Titanic is turning and we’re managing meet up, renew old friendships, make new friends and get some Tai Chi training in there too.
Next year we have a full schedule of classes planned, supported by a series of workshops suitable for those new to Tai Chi and the seasoned practitioner. Furthermore, we’ll be hosting Master Ding in Dublin for two weekends, firstly in late April, secondly in mid-November.
And on top of that we have a little surprise brewing. I can’t say anything yet, but once we have details tied down, I’ll be letting you all know.
On a personal note, I would like to say well done to you all who have decided that Tai Chi is a discipline you would like to pursue, and thanks that MDA are the people you’ve chosen to do it with. Tai Chi is all about togetherness. All parts working together to produce something bigger, and better. If we can keep that unity in mind and heart, we’ll all go far...
OK, that’s enough of that, it’s Christmas time, get out there and have fun. Just try and remember to squeeze in a little Chi Kung every now and again.
Have a Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year.
Best wished from MDA Devon.....you know the drill....more Chi kung, Lower, Longer....and Smile 🙂
Happy Christmas
While we're all focussed on the fast approaching Christmas break, just beyond is the New Year and our seasonal Introductory Courses across Dublin.
If you've always wanted to try Tai Chi but not managed to, now's the time.
The New year is a time of new beginnings and if we want something different for ourselves, then we have to do something different.
Courses are designed to introduce Tai Chi principles and Concepts to the absolute beginner. No previous experience is required. If you have the will to try, then you have all you need.
Courses in:
Malahide: Monday 7:30-9:00pm commencing Jan 9th
Clontarf: Tuesday 8:00-9:30pm commencing Jan 10th
Dundrum: Wednesday 8:15-9:45pm commencing Jan 11th
Ranelagh: Thursday 8:15-9:45pm commencing Jan 12th
Contact Ross for booking details. ross@masterdingacademy.com
Stillness in Motion, Motion in Stillness
Again, well done to all attending our recent workshop, we had representation from counties Cork, Longford, Donegal, Kildare and of course Dublin, (can we say county Shanghai Phoebe? I’m not sure.. ). If I’ve left anyone out, please let me know.
This time we had several attendees new to workshops, it was a great opportunity to take a pause and explain clearly why we spend so much time on partner work, what we’re looking for when we’re working with others, and how we can work together to get the most out of the exercises.
Certainly, the clue is in the title, it’s partner work, not opponent work. Regardless of level of experience or depth of knowledge, everyone has something to offer everyone. All we have to do is check our ego at the door, and it’s all there waiting for us.
I thought I’d add a few comments I received from first time attendees:
- In previous Tai Chi classes I’ve attended no one explained what we were doing and why. Now I begin to understand. V happy!
- Everyone was very open and giving
- You really don’t need strength to be strong!
- Hearing the explanation of going with the flow then actually feeling the idea work, really resonated with me.
- The feeling of confidence in my own body and my own structure. It gives me confidence in my own journey.
- I expected more form!
- There’s so much to learn…
- I over think things too much.
That’s a great one to end on, I think we all do that.
Well done everyone, keep up with the practice and we’ll see you again soon.
Ross
No class in galway