Last year, I attended the Tai Chi retreat at the Lake Dewar Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed learning new routines from Senior Master Chin Min and Master Yan, and making new friends.  Hence I did not want to miss this year's retreat, during 14-16 November 2008, and I was very much looking forward to it again!

My contribution to “My Tai chi story” was of that one day, 10 years ago.  I woke up and could not get out of bed due to severe back pain.  It was due to the stress at work and having a desk job.  At that time, I only did walking for exercise, but I knew I had to do more.  I saw the Celestial Tai Chi college advertisement in the local paper and within a few months of attending the Doncaster classes led by Mario and Tony, I felt so much better and I now rarely get back problems.  Other people in the group shared how Tai Chi was part of their rehabilitation for recovery from a hip replacement, cancer and stroke.  Others shared how Tai Chi helped to improve their general well being, to help deal with stresses of work, arthritis and back pain.  The deep breathing techniques helped one person to avoid getting severe seasickness on a recent overseas holiday.  Even children can enjoy the benefits of the calming effects of Tai Chi to help cope with the demands and expectations put on them.

Saturday was a full day starting with a fresh morning practice sessions including the sword and the fan, led by Senior Master Chin Min.  For the Yang style, Senior Master Chin Min refined our techniques for snake creeps down (turn knees out, turn feet to help grip the floor when bending down), needle at sea bottom (relax the hand as you bring it up, then strengthen as you point down), golden cock standing on one leg (turn the hip first to balance) and cloud hands (rotating the hips should lead the hands).

Senior Master Chin Min taught us the first sets of Beijing 48 and Wild Goose Qi Qong, and the whole sequence of Shi Ba Shi Qi Qong  Set 2.  Shi Ba Shi Qi Qong, was students rejuvenating, refreshing and relaxing.
                        
That evening, Grand Master Eng Chor took us through a philosophy lesson to understand the history and the traditional styles of Tai Chi. For the Qi Qong meditation session, he talked us through the Small Heavenly Cycle where we had to focus on the 10 Qi points along the meridian which travels from the “Bai Hui” (top of the head) down the centre of the front of the body, then up the centre of the back returning to the Bai Hui.  Many people felt the energy flow along the meridian and the warmth at the Qi points.  This session was so popular that another meditation was conducted the next day.

Sunday started early with a practice session with Grand Master Eng Chor who took us through Shi Ba Shi Qi Qong Set 1, the Lotus exercise and levels 1 to 6 of the Yang style.  

We then explored the different styles and techniques of the traditional forms of Chen (the oldest style, slow and explosive movements), Wu (compact and circular movements), Sun (gentle movements with open palms) and Cheng Man-ch’ing (simplified Yang).  Then Grand Master Eng Chor took us through a session of Lohan Qi Gong, repeating many of the movements to get the rhythm and the Qi flowing.  This was followed by an interactive session where we paired up to do Pushing Hands (free-style sparring), which is about sensing the direction and strength of your partner's force and attempting to avoid or redirect it.  The event finished up with an introduction to the basics of Pa Kua where we circled around a chair with spinning movements combined with palm strikes.  

These sessions broadened our awareness and understanding of other areas in internal martial arts and made many interested in learning more!  Lake Dewar Lodge had plenty of outdoor areas to do Tai Chi, which overlooked the lake and the countryside.  The accommodation and facilities were comfortable with many of the students praising the bountiful of good quality food and yummy desserts.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking the time out to learning and practising Tai Chi with the friendly folks at the college.  You must join us next year to enjoy it, too!
Belinda Leong  (Assistant Instructor, Doncaster Centre)