Saturday 30 April 2016

Peace Love and Joy these are the fruits of Gratitude









Often as the days rush by I forget to take the time to stop and appreciate this life. 
The sound of water boiling, the scent of morning coffee, the cat purring. I forget to stop and appreciate the beauty of flowering geraniums.  Taking these for granted makes life dull. Having a day of silence, time to reflect rekindles my delight in these my daily sounds and supports. The hum of my laptop as I write sooths and comforts me reminding me of how blessed my life really is. The sounds  arising in the surrounding silence remind me of how much I love living in a quiet neighbourhood where I can hear birdsong and the sound of the wind when it rustles the leaves. A day of quietness is a balm for body and mind and reawakens my awareness of the Peace, Love and Joy that are always present when I take the time to reflect on all  my blessings. 

Wednesday 27 April 2016

T'ai Chi Lessons For April 24-30






Short Form revision for Tuesday's class.


Repulse the monkey full posture from ann on Vimeo.


 Short Form To Single Whip  for Monday's Short Form beginners.


Short Form To Single Whip from ann on Vimeo.


 Mini Form to Brush Lefy Knee And Push for all New T'ai Chi Beginners


Mini Form to brush left knee and push for the Monday Morning Class from ann on Vimeo.








Sunday 24 April 2016









What a fabulous day of Releasing we had yesterday. It was my priviledge to spend the day sharing this work. It is so inspiring to hear how people's experience of life is enriched through releasing. I have experienced so many benefits myself and love when others benefit too.
Here is the expanded version of the 'Clean -up process we used yesterday.
Special Release Clean -Up Process




Tuesday 19 April 2016

Releasing workshop April 23


Here is the video showing how to find us in blackrock on saturday. Looking forward to sharing this fabulous method of  releasing our limiting beliefs about ourselves and our relationships.


trim.2A931C2E-8D82-4ADF-94BA-E10AF368CEBD from ann on Vimeo.


Peace and happiness are not in our minds and as long as we keep searching to find them through and with our minds we are doomed to stress. The mind is a fabulous tool but it tells us that our happiness lies in objects which are outside of ourselves. It tells us that our happiness depends on how others respond to us. It tells us that if we can control people and get them to just STOP Pressing our buttons all will be well. This never works we spend years trying to control the outside so we can feel OK and the result is stress, stress, and more stress. When we learn to let go of wanting to control the outside and take control of our own internal experience, we discover that the peace, joy and love that  we were looking to find outside was always here inside  ourselves. Paradoxically as soon as we find this internal peace the outside world seems to change and become more loving, mirroring back to us our own self love. Learning to Let Go of our habits and beliefs that keep us focused outside is a practise and this is what we investigate and practise at  our Releasing workshops. Each time we Let Go we become lighter and more tuned to our true nature we learn to rest as the loving beings that we are.
Come and join us on April 23 you will have a fun day with people who share your passion for truth and freedom. People who discover for themselves that Peace Joy and Happiness are all possible through  Letting Go '.

 Blackrock Community Centre 
  Saturday April 23
 10am - 4pm 
 Cost €35 per person 

 To reserve a place
 Phone 087 6616800  or email taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk

Monday 18 April 2016






      Love is not an illusion.
    In Love all illusion is lost.
    Where there is no illusion,
    then Love arises.

    Nothing belongs to you. It is all like the breeze.
    Leave your mind as free as the breeze
    by not clinging to anything.

    This is the secret to happiness:
    Enjoy the garden,
    but do not cling to anything. 
                        Papaji 

How beautiful are Papaji's words and sentiments, but how do we learn to live in this free state? 
I have found releasing to be a fabulous tool in allowing myself to relax and Le Go of the struggle in life. When we can Let Go through out the day we discover the Love that is already and always present. This is a tremendous gift to ourselves and opens us to the wonder of each moment. 
I love sharing this 'tool' so more and more people can come to experience their own Joy and Love. 
If you would like to learn more come and join us next Saturday it promises to be a fabulous fun day.

 Blackrock Community Centre 
  Saturday April 23
 10am - 4pm 
 Cost €35 per person 

 To reserve a place
 Phone 087 6616800  or email taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk

  
                    

Castletownbere Lessons and some views along the way.




First view of the Papa as I head West awakens my heart to the day ahead,




  Blue skies or grey I love these views,




 Winding roads,




And distant mountains that becon me on these Westward adventures.



Diagonal Flying from ann on Vimeo.





Short Form To Single Whip from ann on Vimeo.





Warm up exercises from ann on Vimeo.


Wednesday 13 April 2016

Fun






As I was driving to T'ai Chi yesterday I noticed a group of students walking on this 'wire'.
Wow ! I have always wanted to give this a try.


I hopped out of my car and asked if I could take a short video of Christine as she walked along. She obliged and then she and Joe said would you like a GO !!!!!





I couldn't resist was so excited to try it out. It is a really interesting experience. The 'wire' vibrates and you wobble ( at least I wobbled) and then it settled down ( or I settled down ) as soon as my attention wandered the wire wobbled again. This is fabulous training in balance.
Can't wait to have a longer session.
A million Thanks to Christine and Joe for your encouragement and for the FUN.
Here is a link to my Facebook page where I posted the video of Christine




Monday 11 April 2016

Welcome To New T'ai Chi Beginners



Welcome to T'ai Chi, take the time to get to know this Art. It will reveal yourself to you in deep and wonderful ways. While you are exploring T'ai Chi you will discover amazing aspects to this world. Through this practise I have found wonderful friends, and great understanding of my body and mind. I love sharing this practise as I have seen so many transformations in other peoples lives through the power of practise.



Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.





Warm up exercises from ann on Vimeo.

Sunday 10 April 2016

Surprised By Snow



 It was snowing as I arrived I Killarney this morning So I headed to Torc,





 I was curious to see how the waterfall would look,





 With snow all around,






Then I couldn't resist driving out the Kenmare road even though the mountains were shrouded in a 'snow storm'.





At Lady's View, the usual crowds were missing just two curious travellers.






 I headed back to Muckross






To these wonderful gardens that have nourished my spirit for as long as I can remember.






 We came here to celebrate birthdays, Holy Communions , Confirmations and just to admire the changing seasons.





 How beautiful to see this ancient Oak given the space to shine.







The air cleared just enough to see the snow on the distant mountains,





I was wet and cold when I got to the cafe and the only one outside today was this little friend !







Saturday 9 April 2016

Why Release ?






Learning to Release limiting beliefs has dramatically changed my life.
I used to believe that because I was lucky enough to have the time to practice T’ai Chi and to meditate each day I really didn’t deserve to have money too. That being ‘spiritual’ meant that I had to reject the ‘world’ and all it’s ‘goodies’.
Since learning to Release that belief and many other equally limiting beliefs, life has become easier and a lot more fun. Opportunities and connections seem to just come my way.
My personal and professional relationships are much smoother. I still have much to Release, I even find it difficult to write this and can hear a voice (that I call my Mother’s) warning me to keep quiet. As you can see I am learning to allow that limiting voice to stay in my head and not prevent me from sharing my truth. This in itself is a big breakthrough for me.
Learning to recognise my true nature which is always present gives a sense of peace and belonging that allows me to open up and be vulnerable.
It allows me to share the deepest aspects of my T’ai Chi practice. Energy aspects which I was too shy to demonstrate before learning to Release my fear of disapproval.
Do I still feel vulnerable Yes, but the difference is that it no longer controls me. Releasing has given me the Courage to be open and teach my truth.
If you would like to learn to Release come and join us at the next workshop in Cork. If you can’t make the workshop I encourage you to read The Sedona Method by HaleDwoskin or check out The Release Technique begin your own Releasing journey and discover how much better life can be when you learn to ‘Let Go’. 


 Blackrock Community Centre 
  Saturday April 23
 10am - 4pm 
 Cost €35 per person 

 To reserve a place
 Phone 087 6616800  or email taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk










T'ai Chi Lessons April 9






John Kells Double Pushing Hands from ann on Vimeo.

I just love these pushing hands exercises, connection, flow, and concentration are just a few of the benefits of this work. T'ai Chi is such a magical practise, it works the body, mind and spirit. I can't think of a better way of spending time with friends than sharing this practise.


 Here is the Mini Form Lesson for Friday morning's Blackrock class.

 
Play Guitar and Brush Left Knee and Push from ann on Vimeo.



 Here is the full Mini Form


Full Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.



Wednesday 6 April 2016

Peace And Happiness Are Not In The Mind And The First 2 Postures of The Mini Form for new T'ai Chi Beginners






Peace and happiness are not in our minds and as long as we keep searching to find them through and with our minds we are doomed to stress. The mind is a fabulous tool but it tells us that our happiness lies in objects which are outside of ourselves. It tells us that our happiness depends on how others respond to us. It tells us that if we can control people and get them to just STOP Pressing our buttons all will be well. This never works we spend years trying to control the outside so we can feel OK and the result is stress, stress, and more stress. When we learn to let go of wanting to control the outside and take control of our own internal experience, we discover that the peace, joy and love that  we were looking to find outside was always here inside  ourselves. Paradoxically as soon as we find this internal peace the outside world seems to change and become more loving, mirroring back to us our own self love. Learning to Let Go of our habits and beliefs that keep us focused outside is a practise and this is what we investigate and practise at  our Releasing workshops. Each time we Let Go we become lighter and more tuned to our true nature we learn to rest as the loving beings that we are.
Come and join us on April 23 you will have a fun day with people who share your passion for truth and freedom. People who discover for themselves that Peace Joy and Happiness are all possible through  Letting Go '.

 Blackrock Community Centre 
  Saturday April 23
 10am - 4pm 
 Cost €35 per person 

 To reserve a place
 Phone 087 6616800  or email taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk

 
Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.










Tuesday 5 April 2016

Morning Walk In The Woods








Spring Flowers






Adorn the paths,




As I stroll along by the streams.




Bluebells surprise and delight me,




And delicat blooms sheltering in hollow spaces,




Previews of delights to come.




The sun,




Broke through,






As I turned for home.




Here is my beloved Su who walked these woods with me for years. I felt her with me on today's walk. I have been avoiding these woods afraid to bring up those memories, what a waste of time it is to avoid my feelings, in welcoming them up today I found that the tears torned to smiles. The warmth of her memory enriched my walk. Love never dies, and it can nourish when we find the courage to allow it back in.





Monday 4 April 2016

T'ai Chi Lessons April 4







Here is Repulse The Monkey Lesson we recorded earlier this month I finally managed to upload it on Vimeo. Also i have posted the Full Mini form as we completed it yesterday.
What a fabuloud day that was great T'ai Chi and wondreful Dozgchen Beara not to mention the great drive there and back. Looking forward to my next trip west already.




Untitled from ann on Vimeo.





Full Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.






Sunday 3 April 2016

Back to the Magical West Castletownbere and Dozgchen Beara . . .




By the time I reached Barraduff the Mallow rain had cleared to cloud.






Past Kinmare,




 It was magical.





 Castletownbere seemed mystical, dreamlike .      ....





After T'ai Chi we (Tricia and I ) went to,




 Dzogchen Beara,




To view the Hostel. We need extra space for our Retreat Weekend. The Care Centre spaces have all been booked up already and we are filling the Hostel now, which luckily is also on site. The views are great from the kitchen. The Hostel has a lovely warm feel, quiet and peaceful a perfect place to rest after a day of practise.




 Couldn't resist stopping to photograph this sweetheart,






 Glorious sunshine,






Until I met the rain as I climbed up from Lauragh, but even the rain couldn't dampen my spirits which had been well recharged in the wonderful West.



Friday 1 April 2016

Letting Go Of The Fear Of Loving Yourself ( Beginners T'ai Chi Lesson Below )


Fear causes a lot of trouble for us, think of how much more fun and productive your life would be if you could eliminate all your fears.
 What would it be like to live in a body that had only love for itself ? Most of us are terrified to even imagine such a thing. I for one was horrified when I first heard someone suggest that I should Love myself unconditionally. I had been brought up to believe that to love oneself completely would be dangerous if not sinful. God only knows what such Love would lead to!  These types of fearful 'beliefs' keep us thinking that criticising and punishing ourselves is what keeps us on track. I no longer believe that fear and punishment are necessary or even productive. In my experience the more loving and kind I feel towards myself the more productive I am. When I'm feeling confident and full of self approval the world seems to be a much friendlier place, people seem to be more loving towards me. Many teachers  now tell us that the world is a mirror that reflects back our beliefs. What are your beliefs and fears about  loving yourself completely?  What is the worst thing that would happen if I loved myself completely ? This is one way of discovering your fear. Then just let that fear go. As soon as you find out what the fear is you will also see that it was unreal, just some false idea you heard or were taught. Once you see this you can let go easily.
This is Releasing , this is freeing yourself from beliefs that sabotage your life.
 If you would like to explore this process of Releasing your limiting beliefs come and join us at the next Releasing Workshop. 
 
 Blackrock Community Centre 
  Saturday April 23
 10am - 4pm 
 Cost €35 per person 

 To reserve a place
 Phone 087 6616800  or email taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk




 A Big Welcome to the new T'ai Chi beginners so lovely to meet you and welcome you to this the  amazing practise. Here below are the first 2 lessons of the Mini Form.


Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.