Tai Chi Training Camp and Summer Retreat

The 2011 Tai Chi Boot and Slipper Camp brought together some dedicated and enthusiastic practitioners. Dedicated to the Taoist practice, they had all completed the Third Step, Greatest Harmony of Yin and Yang, and all but one had either completed the Fourth or registered for the next training: Introduction to Taoist Shamanism.

This outstanding group's knowledge and experience showed up in the Tai Chi training, the balance between inner meditation and external action. Within just a few days under the guidance of Chief Instructor Matt Lewis and Taoist Trainer Anamarta, and the watchful eye of Master-Trainer Kris Deva North, they mastered the intricacies of the 13-Movement Yang-family form and Tai Chi Chuan Hand, Stick and Staff in the tradition of the Hidden Masters.

They have indeed set a benchmark to challenge the next generation!

Tucked away in a valley in the Welsh hills, we rose early each day for training, cooked our communal meals over a wood camp-fire, and spent our evenings in walks through the forest learning the nature of trees, and survival skills such as making a fire with wet wood, without matches, lighter or paper.

On the last evening we discovered that the skills of staff-twirling gathered throughout the training had endowed us with instant expertise in fire-dancing! what a treat, and what fun we had.

The event was hosted by Taoist Trainer Samara Hawthorn who joined us when not herding her gangs of children and animals - whose presence was a real delight. Beware a 3-year-old wielding a Tai Chi stick!

We were sorry to leave, although feeling full of achievement, but really looking forward to coming back next year!

Maire writes: "Thanks to all of you for an amazing 5 days of tai chi boot and slipper camp! I never thought I'd learn so much. It was quality, quality teaching that always seemed new and different. And really good fun.... I still have visions of that lovely walk down to the school and I miss cooking on an open fire!
Thanks for it all,
MG
ps I'd recommend Tai Chi camp for anyone who'd like to know more about their spirit."