Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk

As is the nature of all things, change appears once more on the horizon. But there is other news too - such as the Taichi weekend retreat from Feb 9th - free to all. It’s a digital series of activities that you can join head over to https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/balance-retreat

2024 is time for a update to the old FAQ and beginners guide, so this month I'm giving you a brief audio version of the new guide that  ⁠you can find here,⁠  with all the associated videos that explore each question in more detail.  The new post and guide  https://www.teapotmonk.com/beginners-guide-tai-chi

Going Beyond the Final Frontier. What do we mean by The Tai Chi form? How long is it? How many postures does it have? How long does it take to learn? These simple questions are some of the most difficult to answer, because the Form is not one thing. There are so many variations that it becomes meaningless to discuss in general terms, but that is what we shall do today. We shall ask Captain Kirk to...

Today, a short Taoist tale recovered recently amongst the ruins of a temple, once situated on the far banks of a certain river, sheltered in the shadows of the Wudan mountains.  The story tells of a peculiar Tai Chi tournament and is called  Perfected Pot Bellies and Proud Eyebrows. It features two unusual Tai Chi masters, a goat and the meaning of winning or losing. For more info and associated g...

The use and abuse of titles in the martial arts, society and all other places beneath the ozone layer. Why is the telephone engineer called Bob and not Master Bob? Why is a specialist carpenter, artist or musician not called "Master"? Why is there an over reliance on lineage to determine worth? How to avoid the dangers of titles and names On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with...

How to turn a good intention into a daily practice with Mencius and his radical ideas about doing good. Well, not so radical really, for his ideas are pretty simple, but simplicity is hardly the flavour of the month when we are being sold the idea that life is so complicated we need to purchase out way to simplicity. On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-be...

There are many different reasons (on the surface) why we begin our practice of Tai Chi, but underneath this there is but one reason: We are afraid. Afraid of getting hurt, afraid of getting ill, afraid of feeling lost. Why does fear lie grumbling beneath our feet? Part 1 in a 2 part series in which we delve into the reasons behind the fear.. Next month: the solutions. On the 10th of each month - a...

Welcome to this episode in which we explore the subversive side of humour and how it can liberate, inform, expose and undercut in a way that no kick or punch could ever do. In this episode we ask: Why is it that no-one ever chuckles when reading the The Tai Chi Classics? What happens when two taoists and a giraffe walk into a bar and one says to the other.. What is the relationship between eyebrow...

Goodness is spread like a dollop of marmite on your neighbours toast. Welcome to this second series that begins with a look at how rampant individualism has percolated down into everything we do, even the practices we adopt. It has come to define our lifes purpose, our health, our relationships, our aims and objectives and our martial arts. What can we do to counter this tendency and how can a pra...

The new Tai Chi suggestion page for June is out - plus get 30% off price of the new workbook. See link in show notes and this month you will find: An article on the famous ping-pong nunchaku Bruce Lee video that eternally crops up on timelines. What is the truth behind the match?  You'll also find preview of the podcasts and a video on the Baduanjn bears, that lead into the workouts this month...

A brief introduction to Series 2 of Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmonk. Every month on the 10th, a new episode to be uploaded, with surprise additional episodes in between, so make sure you subscribe to be notified when the surprises occur. In the meantime check out the new workbook coming out next month Every month on the 10th - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about...

Letting go, we can change direction. Letting go of "correctness" we can go back to playing, experimenting and learning afresh. Stepping away from the known path, allows us to explore what is unknown. But let's remember these are just words...like those on a menu and not get confused between the words and the meal.  More on Alan Watts Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole se...

As we near the near of this series the teapotmonk brings this short update on where we are, whee we are going and changes expected for the rest of the year.  Links form this episode include:  Remember before you go - 3 things you can do right now: Go to your podcast app and leave a 5 star review on Spotify, Apple or Google - this will make me insanely happy and will really help others to...

The enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, said Stephen hawking, but the illusion of knowledge.  And what about humility? Where has this gone in an era of self-promotion? And if Sifu does know everything, is that good or bad?  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk Tai Chi Training a...

Understanding the principles of Tai Chi can help you mange your time and handle the pressure to always appear "busy". But how do we apply these principles to the tai chi form and indeed, learning anything?  David Allen GTD book The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century wit...

At some point you will have to stop copying and start creating. But how do you find your inner rhythm if you have only been watching another for all time? Discover the best tips including:  Rooting and Shifting Broken rhythms Putting down the Remote Yielding to yourself  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st...

There is good and bad in everything. In fact most things are composed of the two. Thats what Yin Yang theory tells us. And in the search for a guide or Guru, Sage or Supporter, we often have to compromise.  So take your own critical awareness with you, but don't be too harsh. We all need different things at different times in our lives, and so just make the best of where you are, with whom yo...

Forget the Tai Chi Classics or your average manual of instructions. These will tell you what to do, but won't tell you why. For the deeper stuff you'll need to get a copy of the Tao te Ching. In this week we talk about how many toes you should have on your feet, Pooh Bear, Alan Watts and the benefits of the empty honey pot.  Discover the best versions in this book list Every other Thursday -...

It's the ultimate shuffle playlist The Red pill or the Blue?  The 64 Hexagrams that have been used throughout history to guide behaviour and suggest solutions.  But is the oracle anything more substantial that a series of reflections on change and impermanence?  Check out the list of the best versions Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out mor...

What do we mean by being in balance and the harmony of the opposites? History, meaning, application and interpretation in this weeks black and white episode.  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com The teapotmonk: https:/...

What does this  - now cliche - mean and does it have anything useful to tell us about our tai Chi practice? Can Tai Chi help us counter the culture of consumerism?  Minimalism, Voluntary simplicity, downsizing, and going slow. Discover the secrets to getting to know you cutlery in this fascinating episode.  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find o...

In the second part of this mini series we explore Wu Wei - often misunderstood as "non-action" - when it has more to do with timing, patience and when ready - action.  Link Gene Burnett Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi....

New 3 part series on Applied tai Chi  - looking at the ways we can use this art outside the classroom and into our daily lives. Today we look at the Tao - and listen to what Bruce Lee, Alan Watts, water, cats and yielding can teach us.  More on Alan Watts here Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century wi...

Part 2 in our internal energy investigation and exploration of the elusive Taoist concept of Chi or Qi.  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com The teapotmonk: https://www.teapotmonk .com Ways we learn Tai Chi: https://ww...

How do practitioners define this elusive concept? How can we make sense of it? How do we even spell it? Find out (or not) in todays episode in a new 2 part series.  The mOnks infamous Gazpacho recipe Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21st...