Longfei-Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Letter from the Chairman
Longfei News Letters - Volume 1, Issue 2

The first half of 1998 has shown encouraging signs for the growth of Taijiquan in Great Britain. Another new magazine has appeared making four in total, dealing with the subject matter of Taijiquan, Qigong and internal aspects of Chinese Martial Arts. This increased interest is apparent in Longfei's activity and growing membership.

National Osteoporosis Society

In early spring we made contact with the North London Group of N.O.S. The introduction came from their North London representative, Pamela Wells. Pamela has personal experience of osteoporosis and she is also a practitioner of Taijiquan. It is through her understanding of both subjects and her conviction that one could benefit the other that a ten week pilot scheme was initiated.

The group consisted of many levels of osteoporosis both to the limbs, pelvis and spine. A programme of posture awareness, relaxation, breathing exercise was embarked upon with a fifty minute duration.

In the beginning the group were not required to stand but by the end of the pilot period we were able to embark on some of the more simple exercises from Dao-yin Yang Sheng Gong. The feedback from the participants has been quite positive and we have been encouraged to begin another class and their dedication is a credit to Pamela Wells' foresight. (See Letters to the Editor).

Hertfordshire University of The Third Age

The classes for the U3A are in their third term and have progressed from their introduction to Dao-yin to making headway with Simplified Taijiquan. The numbers involved have increased due mainly to the organiser Jack Hand, and a second group now meet every Friday. As with the N.O.S., groups attendance is excellent and the progress rewarding. (See Letters to the Editor).

Master Wang Yanji's Spring Visit

This was Master Wang's fourth visit to instruct our students in Tui Shou (Pushing Hands) and Ta-Lu. Some emphasis was placed on competitive push hands to help the students from David Nicholson's School. (See Simon Ward's article on the seminar).

Master Wang Yanji

I was able to persuade Master Wang to spend ten days in the UK this spring, giving many new students an opportunity to train with him.

Glasgow was host to his first seminar with an invitation from Derek Daley and students of his Traditional Chinese Wushu School. The workshop was held at the Dumbuck Hotel - a short drive from Loch Lomond, amidst a cluster of malt distilleries. The weekend attracted some 70 delegates and my observation was that the two day event was a great sucess, covering the Simplified 24 Step Form, Tui Shou and Da Lu. Thankyou Derek, Jo and all your students for making us so welcome.

British Open Tai Chi Championships and Festival of Chinese Martial Arts

This was the tenth anniversary of this event organised by Dan Docherty for the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts and the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain. The venue was Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, Oxford. A full day of competition covering Taiji forms, Weapons, Pushing Hands and Sanshou (contact sparring). Longfei was represented by six of David Nicholson's students (Yorkshire Longfei), Peter Cox (West Country Longfei) and Diana Choy (Hertfordshire Longfei).

Congratulations to all the participants from Longfei and thankyou for keeping us on the map.

Medal Success

A first-class performance by Jonathan Ingleby secured 1st place and a Gold Medal in the 60 kilo fixed step Pushing Hands. Jonathan was also recipient of the Bronze Medal for the moving step 60 kilo Pushing Hands.

Jason Redman won a Gold Medal for his Taiji form - a great performance in the novice section after only one year's training. they follow in the footsteps of previous Longfei winners at this event: Simon Watson, Chew Yeen Lawes and Anne Lo.

Well done Yorkshire, keep up the good work!

Dick Watson, Chairman

Back to contents