Life Is Ment To Be Fun !

Life vitality and enthusiasm shine out from this baby.

Looking at his photo lifts my spirits and reminds me to lighten up and smile.

Personal growth needs to be fun if it is drudgery for you you are on the wrong 'road'.

STOP ! and reflect on what makes you smile , what soothes your body and soul?

Right now make a list of 3 people , 3 activities  and or 3 events that have made you smile.

Now pick  one of the people who made you smile.

 Recall their face see it in your mind.

  Remember the conversation or what ever it was that triggered your  SMILE.

 Feel it in your body.

Let the SMILE on your face let it spread out all over your body,  to your heart , to the tips of your fingers , to the soles of your feet. Go On it will only take a few seconds so close your eyes and FEEL the exercise. 

I bet you are feeling better already, Congratulate your self you are taking control of your life. If you want to be happy and more content , if you want to spread JOY  and  LOVE realise it starts within you. When you can find the SMILE inside , you can transcend any external circumstance and bring PEACE and JOY to your world.

Look at the list of people activities and events that help trigger your SMILES and choose to spend more time with those people or doing those activities. OR you can use your imagination like we just did and create your SMILE from inside . How amazing is that.

So go on  have a SMILING awesome day.

With  Love  and SMILES,  Ann

Figure 8's Are A Great Practice

Figure  8's are a great practice, the continuous repetition of the 8 is recharging for the body and relaxing for the mind ( once you have worked to make it natural ). It does take an effort in the beginning to coordinate both sides of the body and have them move in opposite directions but this is one of the beautiful aspects of this practice, it twists and turns the body on the inside and on the outside.


Figure 8 Practice from ann on Vimeo.





Figure 8 partner work hands doing opposite 8s from ann on Vimeo.

Such fun to practice. These 8's are music to the body

T'ai Chi Lessons April 27'th

Mini Form to Brush Left Kneee and Push  today's lesson at ARC House).


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



Warm Up  Exercises including Stepping Like A Cat.


Warm up exercises from ann on Vimeo.



Short Form To Single Whip ( for more advanced beginners ).

Short Form To Single Whip from ann on Vimeo.

Connecting , Uprooting, and some Fun, A Great Day

I am so grateful to my teachers Steven Moore and John Kells for introducing me to the practice of up rooting. I have much still to learn and the only way is through practice and spending time exploring ot with others. One of the great aspects of T'ai Chi ( in my opinion ) is that it is really impossible to progress on your own. You need to share this work with others , you have to get your hands on and feel the connection to the physical and energetic aspects of others in order to learn and understand connection.



trim.A467E2CD-3BD4-4DB6-9E98-CAF03C948EC3 from ann on Vimeo.



It is always great to take the time to share practice and experience connection in new ways. weekly classes are great but there is only so much that can be done and often we just have enough time to explore a lessom and a little partner work. when we take a day out it enables us to explore connect and have fun together.



trim.E69DDCF4-D0B1-4600-A99C-0AD7C5E6CEA0 from ann on Vimeo.

I'm still reflecting on our experience and already looking forward to more days of T'ai Chi and Connection.

Love and Thanks to you all . Ann XXX

Investigating Energy and Applications

trim.401F3A61-87E5-4868-9290-1698B62A9345 from ann on Vimeo.

A great heart energy exercise such a beautiful soft exchange of energy and attention , healing for body mind and spirit. 





trim.E69DDCF4-D0B1-4600-A99C-0AD7C5E6CEA0 from ann on Vimeo.

Repulse monkey application,  Sara uprooting me.

We had a really interesting day investigating energy, how to exchange it, how to move it in our bodies, both in the physical body and the energetic body.  How to relax into one's physical body and recharge the energy field around the body. This energy work will reap benefits in the days and weks to come.
We all have an energy body that surrounds and interpenetrates our physical body. When we work on the energy bodythrough T'ai Chi Reconnective healing or other energy work it becomes energised  or healed this healing is then transmitted to the physical body which responds and becomes energised and healed .
The energy body is a more sensitive and subtle bodythan the physical body and vibrates at a higher frequency than the physical body, in my experience working on the energy body has a much deeper effect than working on the physical bodyalone. 
 When we work on and energise the energy body,the work is transmitted to our physical body raising it's vibrations to a higher state, this increases our physical energy and this enables the physical body's self healing be activated and enhanced.

Happy Workshop Memories

A few happy memories from past workshops can't wait for tomorrow's session.
 I have so much to share and there is nothing like the exchange that happens when we take time out to dig deep into the practice.


102 1982 from ann on Vimeo.



Figure 8 heart exercise circles through the heart from ann on Vimeo.



Cross energy partner work ( 2 person ) in Open Focus from ann on Vimeo.

UCC in the Sunshine

Here is my tai chi friend Brendan we met in UCC during his lunch break today.

We  had a T'ai Chi 'catch up' in the President's garden amidst the sun seeking students.

There was a relaxed atmosphere despite the approaching exams !

I always enjoy a stroll around  these grounds,

Memories of my time there,

Often rushing up or down the avenue to some class or other.

Always loving the trees and the atmosphere of learning. Thank God for institutes where people devote their time to the pursuit of knowledge. To expanding our understanding of the world around and within us.

T'ai Chi Lessons April 21'st

Here are Joan and Tracie ' Da Luing ' at last night's class.

trim.3DE4E7F1-597E-457E-BF4A-C0B6BFE2E554 from ann on Vimeo.




Some ' Sticking Work' at one of last year's workshops.

March Workshop Sticking to Energy from ann on Vimeo.




Short Form Lessons for new ' Short Forners '

  Short Form To Single Whip from ann on Vimeo.


Mini Form Lessons

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





Full Mini Form
Full Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.

Magical West Cork In Spring Sunshine

The Paps looked their perfect best in this morning's sunshine as I headed West.

These ancient mountains always reawkaken me to the brevity of our lifetime.

Spring blossoms abound,

The glistening sea draws me on,

And I can't resist ,

Taking a detour to,

Allihies,

I'm not the only one, 

To take the time to stop and appreciate the views,

On this most magical peninsula,

With it's winding roads,

Stunning hill top 

Views,

Not forgetting the sheep ! 

All this to round off a great morning of T'ai Chi practice, sometimes life feels just perfect.

More Springtime Delights

The countryside is overflowing with blossoms,

Beautiful colours to enchant,

Paths lined with bud filled foliage ,

Full of promise,

Even the occosional preview of delights vet to come.

Is it any wonder that we all feel renewed and refreshed at this time of year.

In The Woods

If you look closely you can just make out the fox's white collor in the distance.


  trim.A3DAD754-F621-4187-89DC-C2499F74A692 from ann on Vimeo.

 
As soon as I started the video he ran off!



trim.0E70A269-AE25-441B-87A8-238B558E18FD from ann on Vimeo.

It feels good to have visited these woods again I have been reluctant to come here since Su died last November.
Meeting the fox was a nice welcome back.

T'ai Chi Workshop April 25'th

I am really looking forward to this Workshop T'ai Chi has so many benefits to impart.
It is really great to share this Art and welcome new comers and also dig deeper with the help of well seasoned T'ai Chi students.  Come and join us, I  guarantee you will learn great ways to enhance your energy and have a Fun day too.

           We are Energy Beings swirling molecules in a dance with life.
          
      When we take time to tune in to this swirling energy and move with it

                  It hears, responds and  resonates with our intention. 

          Experience a Deeper connection to your true essence and energy.

                Recharge and revitalise your whole body, mind and spirt.

                   Join me on this journey to the very core of your being.

     We will move inward and outward through Spirals Eights and Form.

               Connecting to ourselves and others in this  Dance with life.

                  The Workshop will be held in

              Blackrock Community Centre 

              11am - 4pm on  April 25'th


         For more information or to book your place email me
                         @ taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk

Spring In All Her Glory Buds Blossoms And Dandelion Delights

Springtime young leaves adorn the river banks,

At the entrance to my Alma Mater.

Ruth ( my younger daughter) heads back to study .

And I take a stroll around to admire the blossoms,

On this lovely spring day,

Tender and beautiful,

Spring  delights the eye,

Uplifts our spirits.

With bright yellows,

And cheerful daisys.

And the humble dandelion so sunny and bright.

The countryside is glowing with fresh grass , gorse.

And tender young leaves.

Mini Form And Some Warm -up Exercises For T'ai Chi Beginners

Céad Míle Fáilte

 Welcomr to all new T'ai Chi beginners.
It is great to have the opportunity to share the amazing Art of T'ai Chi with you. I look forward to seeing you reap the benefits of practicing this ancient healing Are that restores body mind and spirit. Cead Mile Failte



Beginning Posture of the Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.





Warm up exercises from ann on Vimeo.





Full Mini Form from ann on Vimeo.

William James " As If " Theory

            "If you want a quality,  act as if you
                       already have it. "
             Philosopher, William James 1884

Any one who reads this blog will know that I'm passionate about consciousness and how we can become more conscious .
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to understand ' how we tick , why we tick , how to tick differently ' in other words how to take control of our lives and direct them rather than be unconsciously tossed by external events.
To this end I have studied dare I say hundreds of 'Self Help' books. None of which have been a waste of time, some resonated and inspired, some I put down to experience and all have 'enlightened ' or awakened in some way.
William James is often quoted and his teaching never fails to inspire. Presently I'm reading 'Rip it  up' by Richard Wiseman  ( a big thanks to Mallow library for their constant supply of new reads that jump out at me when I call in there ).
Richard Wiseman takes us through the modern research that confirms William James '   theory of  "As If". William James had postulated that any emotion is entirely the result of people observing their own behaviour. Seen from this perspective people never smile because they are happy but rather always feel happy because they are smiling.(or to use James more poetic way of explaining his radical hypothesis: " You do not run from a bear because you are afraid of it, but rather rather become afraid of the bear because you run from it."
James never tested his theory however Wiseman introduces us to much of the modern research that confirms James theory.
In the 1960s Stanley Schachter's work at Columbia University  showed that the way people interpret their bodily sensations determines which emotion they feel. Depending on the context the same thumping heart can be seen as a sign of anger , happiness or love.
We can all be manipulated by external stimuli and even allow those stimuli to control our emotions but by learning to become more conscious we can take back our control and direct our thoughts and emotions in  more positive productive ways that allow us to have more energy and enthusiasm for life.
Wiseman's book is easy to read, with cool exercises to try and plenty of interesting research, in other words a a total inspiration for ' Self Help ' lovers like me.

                                              

PS, One of his self tips which I already use is to Smile as if you are already really happy, do this regularly through out your day and you Will Feel Better and Happier. 

Benefits Of Learning To Consciously Focus Attention

A Zen student once asked his teacher Ikkyu, a fifteenth-century Zen master, to sum up the highest wisdom. The master responded to this enormous question with a single word scratched in the sand:
                   "Attention".
The student wasn't satisfied and asked him to elaborate . 
Ikkyu wrote , 
                " Attention . Attention. Attention."

Learning how to concentrate or focus your attention is vital if you wants to master life.
It is an essential skill otherwise you will be tossed and turned by distractions and never achieve your goals.
One of the great benefits of T'ai chi practice is that it teaches focus and attention. Each time you correct a posture and perfect it ia little more you are learning this amazing skill. In learning T'ai  Chi you are constantly having to dig deep into your ability to focus and concentrate, one side of your body is moving forward while the other is turning back , left and right hands are rotating in opposite directions. This is very demanding on your concentration and daily practice is a workout for your body,  brain and  energy. You build stamina and focus. This ability to focus spills happily over into all aspects of your life allowing you greater success in work , relationships and  leisure.

There is nothing like a Day of T'ai Chi to recharge your battery and hone your focus.
Come and join me and we will discover the power of practice .

                     The Workshop will be held in

              Blackrock Community Centre 

                11am - 4pm on  April 25'th


      

           We are Energy Beings swirling molecules in a dance with life.
          
      When we take time to tune in to this swirling energy and move with it

                  It hears, responds and  resonates with our intention. 

          Experience a Deeper connection to your true essence and energy.

                Recharge and revitalise your whole body, mind and spirt.

                   Join me on this journey to the very core of your being.

     We will move inward and outward through Spirals Eights and Form.

               Connecting to ourselves and others in this  Dance with life.

      For more information or to book your place email me
                  @ taichimcilraith@yahoo.co.uk

Sunshine In Cork

We can hardly believe our luck !

Sunshine every day,

We are all sitting out.

Taking the time to walk everywhere.

And loving our city !