Natural Way T'ai Chi Blog

Cultivating the Valley Spirit - Engines of refinement

2025-09-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

An online course, starting Monday October 20th 5pm to 6:15pm

In this course we explore how the internal elements of the body may be successively “differentiated” at increasing levels of refinement in both standing practice and the t’ai chi form.

The process begins with the fundamental process of internal differentiation "Song" (松), which is the first of ten initial levels. At the second level we “differentiate the core” and the third the ‘central channel’. At each level of differentiation, our awareness rests between the elements of separation, observing from stillness the processes of change which are naturally initiated and evolve. The practice of resting our awareness in this way we term “Cultivating the Valley Spirit” and these are the “Engines of Refinement”.

In Daoist cosmology, ‘Wuji’ is the primordial undifferentiated state, the source of infinite potential, and the ‘Valley Spirit’ provides the imagery and guidance to help us understand how our ‘Shen’, expressing as luminous somatic awareness, can reside naturally in the stillness between the dynamic differentiation of Wuji into yin and yang.

Many 'advanced' neigong experiences and achievements develop naturally through this approach.

To express an interest in joining the course, please contact me by the web site contact form.

Individual t'ai chi tuition and Master Classes in North Bristol

2025-09-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

We offer the opportunity for both small group Master Classes and individual, tailored tuition of t’ai chi and Qi Gong in North Bristol. This is a valuable opportunity to learn from highly experienced and qualified teachers.

Our ½ day long Master Classes are limited to 5 people which gives us the time and space to dive deeply into particular aspects of t’ai chi.

Our one-to-one sessions can be tailored to your needs. Perhaps you have a particular health issue you need to work with, or there is a missing bit of the form, or you are returning to t’ai chi after a long break, or you simply wish to accelerate your progress, then these sessions could be for you.

If these are of interest to you, then please get in contact to discuss.

Tim & Jan

Tim Parsons

naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

www.facebook.com/naturalchi

Amazon Kindle

New t'ai chi study notes available

2017-09-09T23:25:00.001-07:00

The t’ai chi study notes’ series consists of set of short articles primarily published as a source of support material for T’ai Chi students. They have often been developed from talks, blogs or Facebook posts previously shared within the Natural Way School of T'ai Chi.

Over the Summer I published two new sets of t’ai chi study notes on Amazon Kindle, the first on ‘The Function and Application of Spiral forces’, the second on ‘Cultivating Shen’

If that’s of interest, then please visit my Amazon Authors page for further information on these and other publications at: Amazon Kindle

Tim

New Beginners and Intermediate courses starting Tuesday 19th September

2017-09-09T23:16:00.001-07:00

Beginners: Tuesday 19th September 6pm to 7:17pm

Intermediates: Tuesday 19th Sept 7:30pm to 9pm

Venue: Centre for Whole Health, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 3BP

Cost £108 for 12 classes

Our new term of t'ai chi classes start on Tuesday 19th September. If you are curious about t'ai chi and would like to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of genuine t'ai chi from highly experienced teachers, then our new beginners course on Tuesday evenings could be of interest.

Please get in contact if you would like to join us. You would be very welcome.

Tim & Jan

Tim Parsons

naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

www.facebook.com/naturalchi

Amazon Kindle

T'ai chi beginners course, starting 25th April

2017-04-02T11:17:00.001-07:00

We are delighted to offer a new 12 week tai chi course for beginners, starting after Easter.

Date:      Starts on Tuesday 25th April
Venue:    Centre for Whole Health, Victoria Place, Bedminster, BS3 3BP
Time:    6pm to 7:15pm
Cost:       £108 for 12 weeks

During this course you will learn:
· An enjoyable sequence of movement postures for daily practice
· The origins and key principles of T’ai Chi
· How to de-stress and maintain health

This introductory course forms the first session of a four-term course to learn the complete Yang stle t’ai chi short form in the lineage originated by Dr Cheng Man-Ching.

For further information and to reserve a place, please contact us at:

naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com
www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

New eBook. T'ai Chi Tao-te-Ching: Practising the Tao

2016-07-02T03:28:00.002-07:00

Periodically, there is a debate as to whether t’ai chi is a martial art with principles that happen to be expressed in Taoist terms because of its cultural origins or, if in addition to its martial arts pedigree, it is also a full expression of Taoist philosophy. Ones view of this is most likely dependent upon one’s own interest in studying the art, personal experience and the focus of one’s practice.

If one has an interest in practicing t’ai chi as an exploration of Taoist philosophy, then the structure and practices outlined in this work share my understanding of the ‘Bare Bones’ of such a practice.

The book is based on an intermediate level course given by the Natural Way School of T'ai Chi at the Lam Rim Centre in Bristol in 2014 to students who had been studying for about five years.

Tai Chi Tao te Ching: Practising Tao

Beginners t'ai chi course. Starts Tuesday 10th January 2017

2015-11-30T11:05:00.000-08:00

A new 12 week introductory t’ai chi course starting on Tuesday evening, 6pm to 7:15pm, on the 10th January 2017 at Lam Rim Bristol in Bedminster.

This introductory course forms the first term of a four-term course to learn the Yang style t’ai chi short form in the lineage of Cheng Man-Ching, Dr Chi Chang Tao and Alan Peck. During the course you will learn:

• A short sequence of T’ai chi postures for daily practice

• The origins & principles of T’ai Chi

• How to practice to cultivate health, relaxation and a peaceful mind

The cost for 12 lessons is £100 and a deposit of £15 would secure a place on the course.

If you are interested in joining the course, please get in contact via email or phone.

Wishing you peace and health.

Tim & Jan

Dao and Self-Development. Amazon eBook

2013-02-20T15:28:00.003-08:00

Dao and Self-Development

This 11 page article is based on a number of talks and writings given to students who have have typically been studying T'ai Chi for about eighteen months, have completed the short form, and have begun the process of coordinating and softening the body and developing a degree of 'internal awareness'.

At this stage, many students are curious about where the path of t’ai chi might take them. Do they really wish to spend more time continuing to study? Or might their time be a better spent doing something else.

Hence this article. It aims to highlight those areas of personal development which might be anticipated with further study of t’ai chi.

It sketches out how the path stretches out before us: specifically, how we practise, why we practise in a particular way at particular stages of our progress, common barriers to progress and ultimately where the practice could lead.

https://www.amazon.com/author/timparsons

Dharma and Dao: Tantra and Tao. Amazon eBook

2012-11-18T02:47:00.005-08:00

Dharma and Dao: Tantra and Tao

Buddhism and Daoism are each profoundly influential paths of personal growth and spiritual development.

Initially they can seem quite different in both their methods and goals, but look beneath the differing cultural overlays and profound similarities can be seen in their systems of thought. Perhaps this is not totally surprising as scholars have documented that Yogacara Buddhism first began to be influential in China from circa 450 AD. Hence from a very early stage, Buddhism began to influence the development of Taoist thought and practice.

Although a number of academic texts exist which look to undertake a comparative analysis of these two influential philosophies, very little has been written from the point of view of a practitioner of both paths. However both Daoism and Buddhism emphasis the need for actual practice to reach true understanding; Intellect alone is not enough.

Hence this article seeks to examine the relationship between Buddhist and Daoist systems of thought from the point of view of the practitioner. It reasons that Buddhism and Daoism can provide deep insight into each other across the thee domains of human experience, body, energy and spirit (heart-mind).

Qi Gong "drop-in" class. Beginners Welcome!

2012-08-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

A new course in Bristol open to everyone, from complete beginners onwards.

Using active awareness we discover the unhelpful patterns of tension which block us from achieving our full potential for health and happiness.

In this course we practice fundamental t'ai chi and Qi Gong exercises, with an emphasis on relaxation, recovering health and strengthening the twelve body systems.

We also explore the meditative aspects of Qi Gong as the basis of personal development.

When

Starts Tuesday 18^th September, 2012

7:00 – 8 pm

Where

The Centre for Whole Health

12 Victoria Place

Bedminster

Bristol

http://naturalwaytaichi.blogspot.co.uk/p/where.html

Cost
The cost is £6 on a drop-in basis, and less if booking for the full Autumn term.

Bookings and Information

This course is open to all on a drop-in basis but, please drop us an email if you would like to attend and visit our website for more information.

Email: naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

Visit: www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

Level 2 t'ai chi course: Starting Tuesday 11th Sept. 2012

2012-08-05T09:44:00.001-07:00

Natural Way T’ai Chi

Level 2 Syllabus – An Intermediate course on t’ai chi chuan

When

Starts Tuesday 11^th September, 2012

8:00 – 9:30 pm

Where

The Centre for Whole Health

12 Victoria Place

Bedminster

Bristol

http://naturalwaytaichi.blogspot.co.uk/p/where.html

Information

This course is open to all who have nearly completed the Yang style short form.

Please email to book a place on the course and for further information.

Tutor

Tim Parsons

http://www.linkedin.com/in/naturalwaytaichi

Bookings and Information

To book a place on the course, please drop us an email.

Email: naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

Visit: www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

Alan Peck's Book - An introduction to T'ai Chi

2012-06-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

Alan Peck’s book “An Introduction to t’ai chi” is available free of charge to all students for private study.

Especially recommended if you are planning to start t’ai chi, or have even been practising for a good few years.

Alan’s advanced notes, collected over a period of some 20 years, are also available electronically via pdf or on the Amazon Kindle

Please contact Tim Parsons for more details.

www.naturalwaytaichi.co.uk

naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/naturalwaytaichi

The internal form of Tai Chi

2012-06-11T09:10:00.001-07:00

A recording about the Stage 2 Natural Way t’ai chi syllabus - “the internal form” - now available via soundcloud

http://soundcloud.com/natural-way-tai-chi/internal-tai-chi

SPRING INTO SUMMER

2012-03-25T14:13:00.002-07:00

Natural Way T’ai Chi & Qi Gong

Tim Parsons

Saturday 21st April 2012

10:00am to 16:30pm

Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, Wales,

Pentwyn Manor, Penrhos, Raglan

Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 2LE

Tel: 44(0)1600 780383

Booking: 01600 780383

07783 546062

Email: naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

Visit: www.naturalchi.co.uk

Cost £35 (includes lunch and refreshments)

It's such a joy to spend time at Lam Rim Wales, especially so in the Spring and Summer nurtured by the peaceful environment, flowers, trees, and birds.

We will celebrate Spring in this beautiful space, playing with the movements of T’ai Chi and Chi Gong, spirals and circles, deepening our connection with Chi and following the unfolding from stillness into joyful movement.

Everyone is welcome; no experience is necessary and lifts from Bristol are possible. Please bring warm, loose clothing.

Tai Chi & Qi Gong for health, vitality and well being.

2012-03-25T14:08:00.004-07:00

Taught by Sara Mayne Lic Ac MBAcC

New classes begin on

Monday 7^th May 2012 at 10:30

at the Fitness Hub. Portishead

Came and have a free half hour taster session on

Monday 30^th April

10:30, 11:00 or 11:30

Classes last 1½ hours. Tai Chi is taught for the first hour and a related similar exercise form called Qi Gong for the last ½ hour.

10:30 – 12 noon T’ai Ch’i & Qi Gong £7.50

10:30 – 11:30 T’ai Ch’i only £5

11:30 – 12 noon Qi Gong only £3

Book a block of six 1½ hour sessions for £42

An Introduction to Natural Way T'ai Chi

2012-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

When Saturday 11^th February 10am to 12 noon

Where: Centre for Whole health, Bedminster

Directions: http://naturalwaytaichi.blogspot.com/p/where.html

Cost: 16 pounds

In this two hour class we introduce Natural Way t’ai chi with the goal of learning the first few moves, so that students can then subsequently join the ongoing beginners class at 8pm on Tuesday evenings.

naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com

www.naturalchi.co.uk

http://naturalwaytaichi.blogspot.com

@naturalwaytaich

Natural Way T'ai Chi - The Notes of Alan Peck

2012-01-04T12:18:00.000-08:00

I collected Alan's notes and hand-out material over a period of some 20 years, and I spent the year after his death structuring the material into the form of a book. Some of this material has had very little exposure before now.

The book presents the essence of Alan's approach to T'ai Chi - Natural Way T'ai Chi

It is hence with great pleasure that I am able to release the ebook which is entitled.

Natural Way T'ai Chi - The Notes of Alan Peck.

To purchase a copy, please email me at naturalwaytaichi@gmail.com.
Alternatively, the book is available in Kindle format from Amazon.

Tim

Beginning T'ai Chi by Alan Peck. eBook now available

2012-01-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

Alan's book:

'An Introduction to T'ai Chi'

is now available to view and download free of charge for Natural Way T''ai Chi students.

This superb book answers many of the questions that people interested in beginning T'ai Chi often ask, and I recommend it to all new students to supplement their study. If you have a Gmail account, the book sits on 'Google Docs' and it may be accessed via the link

www.tinyurl.com/alanpecktaichi

Alternatively, Paula has released the original book for all, and it may be accessed at:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/76440372/Introduction-to-Tai-Chi-Alan-Peck

Enjoy!

Tim