It was a glorious Spring morning as students and instructors gathered to join the Masters of the Celestial College of Tai Chi at Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster on Sunday 4th October 2015. The gathering was to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the College in 1990.
Senior Instructor Noel Schmidt, MC for the event, introduced Senior Master Chin Min who demonstrated the Flute Routine. Many of us have learnt and practiced the Flute over many years, but the fluency and precision of the demonstration showed us a whole new level of performance and gave us all an additional level to target for ourselves.
This demonstration was followed by Grandmaster (GM) Eng Chor’s demonstration of Wild Goose Qigong. Most of us have witnessed this routine before but, to me, it has remained a little mysterious and was in the too hard basket.
It was then into participation mode with Senior Instructor Margie Brett taking us through a series of warm-up breathing and limbering exercises, followed by Senior Instructor John Sindoni leading us through our favourite Lotus Qigong. As always, the Lotus routine is a great way to further stretch and relax our bodies and mind ready for our Tai Chi routines.
Noel then again introduced Grandmaster Eng Chor who proceeded to teach us the first portion of the Wild Goose. The GM started with a detailed, but simple explanation of how the Wild Goose routine is modelled on the daily morning stretching of the Wild Goose. The routine is primarily about gathering new Chi, directing the Chi to the Dan Tien and acupoints, dispelling the old Chi from our bodies, improving the flow of Chi through the body, improving our flexibility and health. With this knowledge of the objectives of the routine, the routine became much easier for me to understand and remember. And also the knowledge of the objectives, and the associated health benefits, provides the motivation to practice regularly.
Senior Master Chin Min then proceeded to teach us the Ba Duan Jin (or Eight Brocade Qigong). This is my personal favourite Qigong routine. It is both a very good strengthening and stretching routine that can be done in a relaxed manner if you are tired, or in a stronger manner when you want to get maximum benefit. There are only 8 basic movements in the routine and so it is relatively easy to remember. SM Chin Min’s teaching of the movements was, as usual, precise with great explanations. Easy to remember, but difficult to perform precisely. Definitely worth practicing and striving to improve.
After two special lessons by the Masters, the Instructor group demonstrated Levels 1 and 2 of the Yang 108 Tai Chi routine. To wrap up, everyone performed Levels 1 to 6 Tai Chi. After the enjoyment of the demonstrations and concentration of the lessons, this was our chance to enjoy our Tai Chi together again, despite the challenge of somewhat rough ground and particularly hot sunshine as the group moved from the shaded areas.
It was then back into the welcome shade of the parks many trees to enjoy the celebratory picnic lunch. Beng Yan with assistance from Yvonne and Zenaida, and many others put on a very special picnic lunch. The food was supplemented by everyone bringing a plate of finger food. The variety and succulence had to be seen, and tasted, to be believed. A great end to a wonderful day.
Bruce Ellis, Assistant Instructor, Doncaster
Noel Schmidt, Senior Instructor, Ashburton
