The Dragon's Head Blog

I am sure I will remember forever the openness and willingness to support and connect with each other which I am now learning to recognise and experience as important elements of the Taoist Tai Chi™ way.  I reflected on what was different for me in how it felt going into this new environment as a […]

In March, eighty participants traveled from all over New Zealand to take part in a one-day Retreat hosted by the Wellington branch, which was also a celebration marking 30 years of Taoist TaiChi™ arts for their Branch. A cake-cutting ceremony was held, with bubbles for a toast. Thefestivities continued in the evening with a formal […]

New Zealand held its first one-day National Retreat since the pandemic at the Bay of Plenty Branch’s new premises at the Tauranga Racecourse in the middle of October. There was a buzz of excitement as participants from across New Zealand arrived and friends greeted one another face to face for the first time in two […]

Everyone probably has lockdown stories to tell: here is mine. Even after years of Tai Chi, I still sometimes wondered if I could get through a set without clues from my fellow practitioners, but was determined to try and do a set each day during lockdown. I had fallen in love with Tai Chi from […]

“I just wanted to tell you about something that’s happened since Lockdown. I’ve been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips, and was getting quite a bit of hip pain until I finally got a diagnosis. Then I remembered something that we had been told at CIT week in Orangeville, back in 2009, about how dan-yus […]

For me, on an uneven lawn I laboured to keep balance and to utilise the area available but persisted because I felt I HAD to do it each day. Then for health reasons it was decided for me to let go and rest up a while.  Then recently one afternoon I found the porch area […]

New Zealand has been in a strict lockdown for a month – some participants have shared photos and reflections on their Taoist Tai Chi practice during this time. “At 2.00 am on Sunday morning (New Zealand time) I was fortunate and honoured to tune into the chanting organised by Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism […]

The focusing theme for the annual New Zealand Instructor Training Weekend was transformation. The weekend, attended by  more than 90 per cent of instructors, was important for instructors to come together and reflect and transform the way we do our Taoist Tai Chi™ practice and most importantly, ask ourselves, how does  it feel.  One participant […]

I would like to share my experience of this fantastic Tai Chi group I attend on a Thursday morning.  I am 42 years old, had a brain aneurysm (stroke) seven years ago, and although I have recovered to approximately 90 per cent of my previous ability, I have ongoing symptoms I have to manage.  I […]

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 […]

84 people attended this amazing workshop.  One participant said that she had gained a deeper understanding of the form and why the moves are done the way they are.  There was much talk of tailbones and intention, circles and standing straight.  Participants described it as the friendliest gathering they have ever attended, and a couple of our Australian visitors particularly enjoyed the ginger crunch, saying […]

Approximately 30 New Zealand  participants gathered at the Lower Hutt clubrooms on the weekend of the 25th and 26th August for a two-day program led by National President Sue Lightfoot, ably assisted by Wellington continuing instructors Mary Brownlow and Peter Love.  Participants ranged from those who have done Tai Chi for many years (including a […]

July marks the two-year anniversary of my first encounter  with Taoist Tai Chi™ arts and I am reflecting on my journey so far. Almost immediately the word happiness comes to mind. This seems an odd choice; while learning tai chi makes me happy so do lots of other activities. Obviously, there is more to my […]

Just as ordered, the day bloomed, the sun shone, it was a warm one and the rain was gone. No softly softly approach was given for our “Forever Young” program – in fact it was said often,  that the older you are the more Tai Chi you should do and do and do and so […]

It is such a privilege to attend international workshops in your own country, but travelling to another country to participate does add further benefits: to meet fellow tai chiers and renew friendships within the group, to enjoy extra time and take a holiday maybe – but also, if you have Tai Chi related responsibilities in […]

As individuals we don’t have to take sole responsibility for tasks in our Taoist Tai Chi practice, and we are learning that the same applies to branches and countries. Three branches contributed to organising the International Workshop hosted in Wellington, New Zealand, this month – sharing the training and knowledge more broadly.   Nelson branch, 125 […]

“Tell me about a Tai Chi moment at the international workshop (Wellington, New Zealand)?” With a change in the intention of my hands when coming up in my dan-yu, the pain and stress in my lower back that I have suffered with for quite a long time was been alleviated to such an extent that […]

  A group from the Bay of Plenty Branch go down to the beach by Kulim Park, BBQ, a set, some dessert and time for some fun on the water.  A beautiful night near the Mount, a full moon will soon arise, the peace and tranquillity from our set had provided the scene for a […]

In my prime of youth, active as a surfer and sportsman, a motorcycle accident resulted in my broken back, robbing me of the fun of life and of all sporting action. After 30 years of pain and limited movement, I was reluctantly introduced to Taoist Tai Chi™ arts. I tolerated the experience for the first year, […]