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08 July 2009

Harmony grading day - 08 March 2009

This was a special grading day for Harmony - two students received their black sash and six received their instructor certificates and badges. There were three presentations for services to Harmony Tai Chi Qigong, as well as the usual gradings.

Susan Purdy and Heather Arbon graded for their black sashes. For this, they had to perform the entire Harmony syllabus, from white to black, on the day - a very nerve-wracking experience. However, despite the time that they had to spend on the floor, they completed it all beautifully, the culmination of five and a half years hard work. Well done, Susan and Heather!

It really was Susan’s day. Not only did she receive her black sash, but also her instructor certificate and badge and she also became a Sifu, having reached all the necessary criteria.

The five other Harmony members who had successfully completed their three-year instructor training were Annie Anwar, Sue Dixon, Roy Holden, Andrea Snow and Lindsay Trevarthen; Annie, Sue and Andrea from the Vale of York and Roy, Susan and Lindsay from Harmony.

Lynne Auckinson, Pat Brooks and Linda Settle all received certificates for honorary membership and bouquets for their services to Harmony.

18 students graded on the day, ranging from white to red sashes. They came from Harmony classes in Bakewell, Chesterfield and Ilkeston and the Vale of York.

Before the presentations took place, the Diamond Squad (the newly qualified instructors) performed the Unnamed Old Form and Lynne Auckinson demonstrated both Sword and Fan Tai Chi forms.

There was also a presentation to Sikung Alan Box by Lindsay Trevarthen, on behalf of the newly qualified instructors, and a cake, which Lindsay had made, for everyone to congratulate them all on their fine achievements.

Our thanks too to Janet and Ian, who did a wonderful job in the kitchen, keeping us all supplied with refreshments throughout the day, and to Pete who acted as doorman, keeping everyone outside the room in order!

More than 50 people, from North Yorkshire and across Derbyshire and into Staffordshire, attended the day, to support those grading, which gave a great atmosphere and embraced the family of Tai Chi Qigong.

17 January 2009

Harmony has a very busy calendar of events in 2009. These are listed in the Events section.

Harmony has started a membership programme and has been running since January 2008. A membership form, which contains further details, is available for download in the Documents section. Due to growing interest and demand for children and parents being able to learn together, family Tai Chi classes are being considered.

There is now over eight full day workshops open for people to attend in the coming year, along with the monthly class for Harmony members on Sunday mornings. A summer class is again planned for 2009, so students can continue with their Tai Chi Qigong practice during the long break. The venue and other details have yet to be arranged.

A grading was held in October this year in which many students attended and ascended to the next grade. Our thanks go to the judges that participated during the grading.

There will be two opportunities for students to grade in 2009. These gradings will take place in March and October.

Harmony has now produced seven DVDs. Four of the DVDs provide students additional aid and allow further practising of the forms for the grading syllabus. The remaining three DVDs cover static movements to be done at home, and to aid people who have difficulty with balance or who are restricted to chairs. Harmony has just completed and now has its own form readily available on DVD. Copies of the DVDs are available to purchase at all our lessons. A percentage of the sales will benefit the further development of Harmony Tai Chi.

Harmony has produced its first calendar in January 2009 which was very successful with forms showing for each month. The photographs used are available in the Picture Gallery.

The new three year instructor training course started in January as the level of interest response from students has been very good. It will be the third instructor course which Sikung Box has taught. It is very gratifying to see the trained instructors spreading the information about the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong to more people.

The second instructor training course, which started in 2006, has now been completed. Congratulations go to the successful students who will receive their certificates and badges at the March grading ceremony.

20 November 2007

2007 has been a very busy year for Harmony.

A grading was held in October this year in which fourteen students took part. They received new sashes and certificates as follows:

From White to Yellow: Pat and Angie Hudson, Margaret Dixon, Morya Hufton, Carol Bustard, Ann King, Ann Levett and Julia Bewley.

From Green to Blue: Adam Purdy, Mark Lowe and Lindsay Meek.

From Purple to Red: Heather Arbon and Susan.

Michael Forster gained his second Wu certificate.

In 2008, Harmony will start a membership scheme in January and there will be two opportunities for students to grade in March and October.