The Dragon's Head Blog

There was a Tai Chi heatwave in the UK as over one-hundred-and-fifty participants gathered for the five-day International Programme in Colchester.  The heat truly was a friend, as it softened muscles, tendons and ligaments, enabling everyone to work more deeply into their bodies through the danyu and toryu. The heat also worked to slow our brains, […]

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom … … and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.” –  Everyone Sang, by Siegfried Sassoon Joy was a word used and felt by many of the more than 100 participants at the […]

At 37 years young, I am what some would consider “broken” (for my age). A physiotherapist (one of many), whom I had a long-standing relationship with after a ruptured disc in my early twenties, described me as a patient whose body tenses easily with an inability for my muscles to release or relax – often […]

That great Australian expression “No worries” came into its own during the International Programme held at the University of Queensland Gatton campus from 17 – 21 July 2019. More than 230 members from across Australia, New Zealand and the US enjoyed a residential retreat in peaceful rural surrounds that are just perfect for ‘letting go’. […]

To coincide with the Goon Yam Festival being celebrated at our Temple in D’Arcy Street, Toronto, members from England, Scotland, and Denmark, gathered to mark the occasion at our shrine in Colchester, chanting the 10,000 Buddha’s Sutra and the Northern Dippers Sutra, and sharing tea, fruit and stories.

Participants thoughts after the program: The workshop theme, “letting go of worry”, goes to the core of our tai chi.  Our practice is a powerful prescription for keeping the mind, body and spirit healthy.  With a lighter step and lighter heart, I left the workshop looking forward to the next opportunity to deepen my understanding.    Jill P. […]

 The Oregon Branch held its annual potluck picnic and intensive on July 13th. The picnic has been held for over 15 years.  For the last five the picnic has been hosted by the Vancouver, WA participants at their location.  Carpooling from the Portland Branch allowed non-drivers including some from Pain Relief classes to join in the fun.  For the 3rd […]

From June 26 – 30, in the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi Centre in Helmond, 66 participants from 9 countries enjoyed a 5 day International Workshop. Temperatures outside were record breaking high but inside everything was cool and calm. What a joy to work together on these arts!    

On a sunny day in Brittany, the Taoist Tai Chi Society of France, in partnership with a local environmental conservation society, helped with a beach cleaning day. With both organisations keen to improve health and balance it was easy to work together in harmony. We had the opportunity to practice several times during the day […]

On this beautiful summer day in Brussels we celebrated Awareness Day. We did some sets and gave an introduction class to interested people. This announces the beginning of the Taoist Tai Chi TM season in the parks that will take place in Belgium in July and August. The bravest ended with a picnic and a […]

Over the weekend of June 22-23, 2019, the Carolina Branch celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting a National Workshop in Durham, NC. It was a rousing success.  Seventy-five participants attended; some traveling from as far away as Valdosta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Ithaca, New York; and fourteen from the Tennessee Branch! The weekend actually started on […]

The California Branch hosted a rich and rewarding International Program on June 1-2. We worked on letting go, moving from the spine with “no arms” through a number of sequences in the set as well as the tor-yu and don-yu. We learned about some of the important upcoming events at the International Center Florida. We […]

On Sunday May 26 we celebrated Awareness Day in Helmond in the Netherlands. We started the day with an instructors meeting where we had some good talks together. Then, after lunch, we walked with about 60 people to the town centre and did ourTaoist Tai ChiTM arts demonstrations. We did quite some sets in a […]

How can 71 participants for Taoist Tai Chi Sabre at the International Center Florida learn to practice “not holding” while holding a Sabre?  Perhaps the answer is to start with not worrying, letting go, and just turning the spine. It could take years rather than just three days, but smiling all the while.

The Taoist Tai Chi Sword Workshop at the International Center Florida was a new adventure for many of the 83 participants, and a welcome review for others.  We learned that Taoist Tai Chi Sword is an application and continuation of our Taoist Tai Chi practice with all of the movements coming from the turning of […]

The Greater Phoenix Area Locations participated in “Food for Kidz Packathon” hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.  This packathon provides meals for hungry children and their families locally, on the Navajo Reservation, and internationally.  The meals were individually packed, highly nutritious and filling.  The Arizona TTCS participants conducted demos and assisted in meal packaging.    […]

For the  4th year, the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA was invited to provide a demo on May 16 for the EEO Asian American/Pacific Islander festival at the Bay Pines Veterans Medical Center. This is a very festive event; new countries representing a diversity of employees are always added to the program. This […]

“The Texas Branch hosted a Western Regional Workshop in Austin, Texas May 18-19. All were encouraged to find the expansion and feel spirit rising through the foundations especially the toryu. Participants trained in small groups on sections of the set.  After the evening meal on Saturday, time was set aside to celebrate Austin’s 25th Anniversary […]

Beginners’ graduation brunches at the Denver Branch are always highly anticipated for good eats from our kitchen volunteers, well-earned congratulations for completing the classes and an introduction to some of the branch’s leadership. Our April 2019’s brunch was special because it was prepared and served by our dedicated branch council. Forty members and friends, including […]

A weekend practicing Taoist Tai Chi is a gift like few others. Sharing, enjoying and working together to improve our health are some of the activities we were able to experience the past Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th of March in Costa Rica; a weekend to experience more of this wonderful practice inherited by Master […]