Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk

Cliches can be harmless, if ineffective. But they can also be insulting, condescending and belittling. What are they? And how can we avoid the use and abuse of such phrases in Tai Chi?  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....

Why do your knees ache after practising Tai Chi? Is it normal or is it a sign that something is wrong. Find out how to make sure your knees stay healthy in this weeks episode.  Links: Webinar on Knee Health Articles on knee health 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 new updated podcast 10 years later to quickly review the changes and directions over a decade. Find out where we have been and where we may yet go... LINKS Health in tai Chi Articles An Interview with Anthony Gilbert 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: ht...

What can help you navigate your way back to the here and now, other than Google maps? In this episode we explore how to return to the moment.  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 W...

Can Tai Chi cure toothache? Will it enable me to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Can it stop a locomotive? Will it help me develop a six-pack?  How can we go beyond the mechanics of the moves in Tai Chi?  Part 2 or a 2 part series looking at the health aspects of the art. Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in...

As a multi-disciplinary art - How can we go beyond the mechanics of the moves in Tai Chi?  Part 1 or a 2 part series looking at the health aspects of the art.  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 Episode links: Read about Confirmation Bias in the Manual of Bean Curd Boxing Tai C...

Why are we training? For what purpose? Who or what are we learning to fight or resist?  Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Episode links: Watch the Repulse Monkey Video:  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...

Rusty? Probably. Blunt? Most likely. Pointy? Certainly. Discover all the 21st century reasons to learn tai chi sword. https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/12-month-tai-chi-sword-training-for-beginners Plus. Visit Cloud Hands web site by Michael Garafelo - https://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/

Do you practice full contact sparring as part of a calorie controlled diet?  What is tai chi? A health art or martial art?  First in a 3 part series on "everybody is tai chi fighting"  Every Thursday afternoon - 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...

Why should we practice outside the classroom and where should we practice?  What happens when someone throws asparagus at you whilst you practice in the park?  And how do you avoid talking tai chi fluff?  For more on the Manual of bean Curd Boxing  - follow this link  Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai...

Last week we looked at how best to learn the tai chi form and this week we ask: how long does it take to learn?  Maybe we should ask ourselves first, what's the rush?  Check out this video if you are really in a rush to learn.  One tip is to focus on transitions rather than moves and you will explore the beauty of learning with your body rather than with your ears or tongue.  E...

Thoreau said "only when we forget our learning do we begin to know". Does your learning get in the way of your tai chi form? How do you learn from your teacher? By copying and pasting? There are many ways to learn tai chi, but the most important is to look for principles over metrics. Avoid memorising as this only freezes postures and stagnates flow. Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subsc...

Memory - muscles, foam, short and long term  - discover another anarchic 10 minutes of teapotmonk insights into Tai Chi and training.  See last weeks episode for more on this subject and... Every Thursday afternoon - 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...

Comedy Cafe: Two shackled Students of Tai Chi discuss which of their styles is more authentic than the other.  teapotmonk drama this week as he asks: Are you trapped in history? Does your teachers definition of authenticity define your every waking moment? How can we break out of this shackle that permeates our training and approach to learning?  Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode....

Second part in this 2-part series on Tai Chi Styles. What are they? What are the differences? Why are there differences and what criteria should we use  - other than cheese - to determine which if any - are good?  Plus, How to Learn Online these days - link to an article and resources.  Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about lea...

What is it about Styles that divides and conquers? Why are we separated as stylists and what does this say about us? Find out in this 2-part series on Tai Chi styles and if you would like to see more about Spain and its fiestas - you can catch some glimpses as I travel across the country on my instagram travel account - teapotmonk.   Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the...

Part 3 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk sees the line between fact and fiction as increasingly blurred, he presents his own take on how it all came about  - in 3 parts. For the full parody you'll need to read the History of Martial Arts Philosophy: One Last Thing in which, the narrator is able to travel back in time and reco...

Part 2 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk sees the line between fact and fiction as increasingly blurred, he presents his own take on how it all came about  - in 3 parts. For the full parody you'll need to read the History of Martial Arts Philosophy: One Last Thing in which, the narrator is able to travel back in time and reco...

"Half an hour a week of any strengthening exercises, even something as basic as push-ups, could reduce your risk of dying from any cause (including heart disease, cancer and diabetes) by as much as one-fifth." Guardian newspaper Feb 28th 2022 referring to article carried out in the British Journal of Sports Medicine It is clear that our health and well-being depend on more than just deep breathing...

Part 1 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and oft disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk has absolutely no idea as to what could or could not be fact or fiction, he presents his own take on how it all came about  - in 3 parts.  For the full parody you'll need to read the History of Martial Arts Philosophy: One Last Thing in which, the narrator is able to travel ba...

Todays Talking Tai Chi Episode: A Lack of Uniformity In Karate and Judo and other martial arts, practitioners wear uniforms. In Tai Chi  - some people wear silk suits whilst others wear jeans and t-shorts. And what about belts and gradings? Can you become a black belt in Tai Chi?  A brief discussion on why belts are great for holding up trousers, but not always for determining skill leve...

SHOW NOTES On this special anniversary of the death of Cheng Man-ch'ing  - I have compiled a series of videos, articles and this podcast to celebrate the unique changes this man brought to the world of Tai Chi. Want to know what they were? Check out the links below for the video documentary on his legacy and testimonials from students and more. Special Page   https://www.21stcenturytaich...

Todays Talking Tai Chi Episode:  Why are there different spellings and pronunciations of Tai Chi and what do they all mean? Why do schools and people argue over meanings and Does any of this matter at all?  The teapotmonk muses on the nuances of the art in this 5th episode of the series.  Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. For more on Tai Chi &...

Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com

Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode The Tao Te Ching says we should learn to Yield like a Portuguese custard tart, stick like gum on the bottom of your shoe...and of course Bruce Lee talks endlessly about water, flowing and being like a teapot my friend... But how useful are these examples and how can we employ ancient concepts in the 21st century?  Find out more about applying Tai Chi l...