Bagua and Tai Chi/Qi Gong Residentials with Aarvo Tucker Summer 2008

Hi everyone,

we both thoroughly enjoyed the course last year and like for many of you, the Old Red Lion felt like home and we found it easy to settle and relax quickly. Nobody suggested a change of venue; the only request was for an extension of the course. WeÕve responded to that with the Bagua course, by making it a day longer. With the Tai-Chi course, we've decided to hold off until next year depending on numbers and the level of interest.

We're hoping to arrange a special evening for both those courses this has not been confirmed yet so I won't write about it until we know for sure for now we'll just tantalise you! Last year we also had some memorable evenings. Ivan introduced a game called ÔWerewolves and VillagersÕ that was enjoyed by both groups (and has since travelled to Canada) even by those of us who don't usually like games. Dick and Richard also led an elegant evening of wine-tasting, including a contest that was enjoyed by everyone (except AarvoÕs team who felt cheated of victory).

Happily for us, Doris has confirmed that she'll be part of the nurture team and as usual we'll do our best to provide good and plentiful food. So we look forward to seeing all of you again and finding out how life has been treating you. And to any newcomers to the groups are very inclusive and you'll feel welcome too.

The courses

Bagua

The Bagua course will focus on the Gao style syllabus material in a way suitable for levels from beginner to well-experienced. We will train several different ways of Circle Walking, and variations of Single Palm Change. This year we will continue with and expand on Bagua Sticking Hands, as taught by Luo Dexiu, which aims to develop `supple supportive strengthÕ, lively, sticky hand movement coordinated with the body and footwork to control distance, timing and position, and which can show how many of the hand techniques in the application forms can be used at close distance. We will work on variations of some of the training methods, increasing the ways of practising the same movements. There will be review of the Sword form. And finally, the set of Swimming Body Palms, and their evolving into free-flowing improvised movements, will be a special focus.

Tai Chi

The Tai Chi course will include most or all of the following: Qigong, Silk Reeling Exercises, Pushing Hands, including Dalu and applications, Sword exercises and form, short Yang form (Cheng Man Ching) along with Mr Liu's Essential Exercises and Five Animal set and Chen style forms (Laojia Yilu, and 18 Movement). Please let me know where your interest is and isn't so that if very few people want a to work on a particular thing we will spend less time on it.

In addition during both courses there will be informal sharings by different participants – many of whom are highly skilled in their fields. Last summer we had some wonderful short workshops on massage, Qi Gong, fluid punching, Yoga, and Belly Dancing … to name just a few.

The Setting

The Old Red Lion in Castle Acre, Norfolk, used to be a pub and has been beautifully converted over many years by its owner Alison Loughlin into an incredible series of organic spaces that flow in and out of each other and is situated around a small contained sun-catching courtyard.

The sleeping accommodation available includes two dormitories (9 beds and 6 beds), three double rooms, two twin rooms and a bicycle shed. There is a path leading out of the back gate that goes straight onto the elevated grounds of the castle ruins, which are quite stunning.

Castle Acre is a medieval village with a special atmosphere, including an old Priory. There is a meandering river that some of our group have had a dip in. In terms of facilities, it has a post office, teashops, pubs and a bakery/grocery shop. ItÕs good for cycling and walking itÕs along the Peddars Way and it's about 35 minutes driving distance from some lovely stretches of the Norfolk coastline (we will spend an afternoon by the sea on each course, weather permitting).

Food and Accomodation

Once again we will ask people who wish to be in a shared room rather than a dormitory to pay a supplement. The supplement is _8/day/single person or _10/day/couple (i.e. sharing double beds).

Just as before, we will ensure simple, tasty, plentiful vegetarian and mainly organic food. On one evening of each course there will be no evening meal so that people can enjoy eating out or you can use the food and facilities to cook for yourself.

Dates and Prices

The Bagua course will consist of seven nights' accommodation and training. We are keeping the prices at the same level as the last two years, with the Bagua fee adjusted for the extra day. As in years past there is the option of part attendance, depending on space of course. There will be a gap of a day between the Tai Chi and the Bagua course, which consists of five nightsÕ accommodation and training. There are 25 sleeping places on each course and so make sure to book early.

Initially the course will be open to those of you who have been before and then if space permits, to others. Please let us know ASAP if you intend to attend (an email or a phone call will do fine) so that we have an idea of numbers. As usual we have an 'early bird' incentive for booking early by the end of April.

Dates

Prices

For more information :

You can contact James Langcake at: james.langcake@talk21.com Spring Cottage, 76 George Rd, Farncombe, Surrey, GU7 3LX. Tel: (01483) 427 263
or Aarvo and Mei-Chi at : willmei@telus.net, or phone: Canada (780) 418-5022 or write: 18 Glenhaven Crescent, St Albert, Alberta, T8N 1A5, Canada

Send cheques and booking slips to James.

Remember

• Let us know ASAP if you want to come so that we can provisionally book you a place
• Early Bird deposit by April 30th, 2008
• Balance payment by June 15th, 2008