The Dragon's Head Blog

Participants from across the UK and Europe are dreaming of circles, after five days of coiling and ‘turning from the spine’ at the International programme in Colchester.     The focus was very much on the *feeling* of the moves, as over one hundred people worked together to connect to the internals in their Taoist […]

A small group of dedicated people, showing great care and respect, gave the shrine in Colchester a thorough clean.  It needed it. The work was satisfying and quite therapeutic and the spirit of the whole building feels lighter and brighter.  

Essex is a county in Great Britain where many people practise Taoist Tai ChiTM arts. On Wednesday participants from South East Essex hired a coach and joined others in North East Essex for chanting and tai chi. Everyone enjoyed meeting up together and sharing lunch. We love to have people visit the Taoist Tai Chi […]

Our beginner weekends are always popular and this one was no exception. 120 new members found balance in the 108 moves and learnt something of our culture. Many new friendships were made and the good-humoured group were great company for all. We hope that everyone will find a local class and enjoy even more benefit […]

After an incredible five days of Taoist Tai Chi® teaching, the 150 participants had much to take away with them and incorporate into their own practice. Throughout the foundations and moves we worked on, there was an emphasis on ‘up-down-same-time’, through the dropping of the elbows and coccyx and the rising of the spine from […]

At the 5-day International Workshop in Colchester, around 170 participants from 13 countries are enjoying a warm welcome, in exceptional (for England) temperatures of up to 32 degrees. We have been practising what has been described as ‘cool tai chi’, taking advantage of the softening effects of the heat. Mornings start with chanting – part […]

When the international workshop day began there was chanting in the morning for those who wanted to do it, followed by quiet sitting and then two sets, making for a very peaceful, soft start to the day. Then it was time for lunch.     In the afternoons we worked on circles and coiling in […]

Over 130 participants travelled to the European Centre in Colchester, Essex from as far afield as Cardiff,  Southampton, and Northampton to take part in a beginners’ weekend of Taoist Tai Chi® arts. Here is what some of the participants said about their first visit to the centre: The kindness of the people made it a […]

There were 220 participants from 16 countries in attendance, which made for a cosmopolitian international workshop in Colchester. There are many routes to discovering a stillness in our centre — dan yu, tor yu, chanting, sleeping meditation, and practising hosting a banquet — a delicious lunch with musical entertainment and a moving testimonial.  

What’s happening in Great Britain for International Seniors’ Day? Where can you come and participate in the events that we are organising? On Sunday 01 October, in both Colchester and Edinburgh, we’re having a day of celebration based around the global video link-up at 15:00.   Branches around the country are organising displays and open […]

For many it was great to see Dr. Karen Laughlin return to Colchester again, after several years, and for others it was a wonderful opportunity to meet her for the very first time. For all of us it was a special time, a chance to hear some stories about Mr. Moy and also the Eight […]

Over 100 people, including 25 new participants, enjoyed a beginners’ weekend at the European Centre in Colchester. While the weather was unusually hot, the group succeeded in getting all the way through the set. There was also some storytelling about Master Moy and how the Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi® arts came to Great […]

At our Colchester Centre on May 4th, members came together from four different branches for our first gardening day of the year. It was a very productive day as we tidied and pruned, weeded and cut back, planted up pots with young bedding plants, planted lettuce and sunflower seeds, and prepared a tomato bed. A […]

On Sunday morning the workshop participants practise the Jade Emperor lighting ceremony.

Returning to the origin … participants at the Fung Lok Kok workshop in Colchester prepared and served a delicious Chinese New Year banquet for 150 people, with 20 invited guests. Speakers included Jim Nicholson of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, and Sir Bob Russell, High Steward of Colchester. Diners enjoyed watching a display of […]

Saturday of the workshop, and we are joined by a further 20 participants for the weekend. The attention turns inwards again, and Sean and Jim help people who have questions about quiet sitting. The group practices the Taoist saan fa chant again, sounding much stronger than earlier in the week. Sean provides an update on […]

Cultivating stillness …  Taoist saan fa chanting, practiced around a table; Confucian chanting including the Ten Thousand Buddhas sutra, practiced in front of the high shrine; and quiet sitting.  These are just some of the methods of cultivating stillness, under the gentle guidance and encouragement of workshop leaders Sean Dennison and Jim Nicholson.

We gave a demo for the evening Christmas shoppers in Colchester town centre. It was a nice opportunity to do more tai chi and talk to people about Taoist Tai Chi® arts within a festive atmosphere.

The festive season started wonderfully for us in Great Britain with an intensive led by President Crispin Barker, a beautiful meal, crazy quiz and musical entertainment with full-blooded participation, including a rowdy and fun version of Twelve Days of Christmas with each group taking a verse/day and performing actions.  Can you identify any of the days […]

What a change in the group from Day 1. We really noticed when the new people came for the weekend as there was a marked difference between the two groups. Today the difference is less obvious as the whole group move as one unit, grounded and strong yet light and fluid, a human wave of […]