by Jocelyn Watkin | Nov 5, 2025 | Information |
Yes, it’s happening and for the 9th year in a row!! The free summer tai chi and qigong sessions with me in Cornwall Park are back for summer 2026. Details below
These FREE sessions are outdoors in Cornwall Park from mid-January to the end of March 2026. All welcome, ideal for beginners and suitable for all ages.
Dates and times:
- Starting Sunday 11 January 2026, 9 – 9.45am and every Sunday morning (except during Waitangi Weekend) until 29th March 2026 (weather permitting)
- Starting Tuesday 13 January 2026, 6 – 6.45pm and every Tuesday evening until 31st March 2026 (weather permitting).
Location in the park: Same as in previous years. If coming into the park from Greenlane Road West, you’ll be on Pōhutukawa Drive (the main road into the park). The tai chi sessions will be under the trees on the left-hand-side about half-way up Pōhutukawa Drive. (If you get to the roundabout, you’ve gone too far.)
Bring your water bottle and a sun hat/sunblock. Wear comfy clothing and footwear. Registrations are not required, just show up 5 – 10 minutes before each session starts.
As all of the sessions are outdoors, the weather needs to be on our side to go ahead. If you are uncertain on whether the session will be held you can:
I can’t wait to see everyone again who attended in previous years and also to meet anyone new, who would love to try tai chi and qigong this summer.
Curious about tai chi and qigong? Find out more here: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/tai-chi/
Please be aware that Cornwall Park is NOT owned by Auckland Council. It is a private park, thanks to the generosity of the founder, Sir John Logan Campbell. He gifted his land, which became known as Cornwall Park, to the people of Auckland. Also, huge thanks to the Cornwall Park Trust Board, which administers his legacy and provides funding for these sessions so you can attend for free.
Contact me or sign up for my free monthly newsletter to get an early ‘heads up’ on when there are even more free sessions of tai chi and qigong.
Tai chi for anyone who is blind or has low vision
Wait, there’s more at Cornwall Park this summer…the Cornwall Park Trust Board are also funding four accessible tai chi sessions for anyone who is blind or has low vision, and who wants to be more active.
The lessons will be held immediately after our general sessions on Sunday mornings and in the same location in the park. The timeslot will be 10.15 – 11am on these four Sundays in March 2026: 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. (Weather permitting)
These free tai chi sessions in the park will be designed and developed by me. I have specialist skills and experience in teaching accessible tai chi to adults and young people, including at the Homai campus of Blind, Low Vision Education Network NZ (BLENNZ) and James Cook High School in Manurewa.
Tai chi is gentle on joints and is designed to improve balance, mobility, strength and fitness.
A big thank you to the Cornwall Park Trust Board for funding these accessible sessions.
If you’d like to know how I got started with teaching tai chi to students who were blind/had low vision, it all began with my successful pilot project in 2017. My work in this specialist area has grown from there. You can read a summary of my pilot project in this link: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/success-with-teaching-tai-chi-to-blind-students/
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 24, 2025 | Information
Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a way to re-balance yourself when you feel ‘out of kilter’. Absolutely! Through the ancient, revitalising art of 5-Element Qigong you can learn how restore and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.
- When: Sunday 2 November 2025, 9am – 3.30pm. (Please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am)
- Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Logan Campbell Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Manurewa, Auckland 2105
- Participants: Adults aged 18+. Beginners will be very welcome.
- Limited to 10 participants
According to ancient Chinese philosophy, everything in the universe (including humans) is composed of five elements – Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. When these five are in harmony, all is well. When they are not, you feel ‘out of balance’, tired and often stressed.
As a qualified qigong instructor, Jocelyn Watkin offers an in-depth opportunity to learn the venerated practice of 5-Element Qigong — a gentle yet powerful sequence of movements based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, which harmonises your movements and breathing in line with the five elements.
This gentle, nourishing retreat will include:
- Guided 5-Element Qigong, which is suitable for all abilities.
- Mindful breathing and relaxation.
- A beautiful guided art activity where you’ll make a mandala, symbolising balance and harmony.
- Time in nature and the opportunity for a self-guided stroll through the gardens.
- A small, supportive group of adults in a peaceful setting.
Whether you’re new to qigong (pronounced chee-gong) or looking to deepen your existing practice, this retreat is a chance to reconnect with what truly sustains you — inside and out.
Read the reviews and feedback from Jocelyn’s 1-Day qigong retreat in May 2025:
- “One of the best retreats I have ever attended.”
- “It was a nurturing and valuable day to spend time healing myself.”
- “Loved the philosophy and history behind qigong.”
- “I loved the welcoming and accepting atmosphere of the whole day.”
Retreat pricing: $175 per person
- 100% refundable until 1 September 2025.
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 2 September and 1 October
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 1 October.
Limited to 10 participants.
Please check the full refund policy further below.
Please contact me (Jocelyn) if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting me on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will advise options for payment.
What is 5-Element Qigong and why is it so good for you?
The five elements of Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire
For thousands of years the Chinese have had a secret. A secret that helps to increase longevity and assists the body to heal from injury, illness and trauma.
That secret is qigong – a deep, meditative breathing and movement exercise that connects the mind to the body.
All qigong has health benefits, as based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). However, the ancient practice of 5-Element Qigong is a gentle yet especially powerful sequence of breathing and movement focussed on your meridian/energy lines and your internal organs.
At this 1-day retreat you’ll learn:
- About the fascinating five elements: Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire and how, according to TCM, they are believed to exist in everything in the universe, including us humans.
- The ancient history of how these five elements relate to the absolute and infinite potential of Yin/Yang to improve strength and balance.
- How to rebalance yourself when you feel ‘out of kilter’ with the curative power of 5-Element Qigong.
- How the gentle, restorative 5-Element Yin movements support your wellbeing and, according to TCM, also the ongoing health of your meridian lines/energy channels and organs for the spleen (earth), lung (metal), kidney (water), liver (wood), and heart (fire).
- How to self-care and nurture yourself with healing qigong to release tension and stiffness.
By flowing through movements that support each element, 5-Element Qigong brings emotional and physical energy back into harmony. This will help you to let go of sluggishness and stress so you can:
- Gently awaken your energy.
- Improve flexibility, circulation, and organ health.
- Harmonise and centre your thoughts and emotions.
- Connect more deeply with your breath, mind, body, and to nature.
What are mandalas and what sort of mandala will you create during the retreat?
A mandala
A mandala is a geometric, symmetrical pattern of shapes and symbols. The word means ‘circle’ in Sanskrit. A mandala is also known by other names in different cultures. Most mandalas are circular or enclosed in a circular shape.
Since the dawn of time, humans have been drawn to circular forms. Rock carvings found all over the world incorporate round shapes in various ways: spirals, concentric circles, symbols of the sun and moon, and also from nature such as fern fronds.
It is probable that the cycles of nature inspired these artworks, such as day moving into night and back into day, the ever-changing phases of the moon, and the rhythms of the seasons.
Some mandalas have symbolic meanings in several different cultures and religions. For example, sand mandalas, also known as dry paintings, are guides to long-held traditions and are essential for meaningful rituals in meditation, healing, or spiritual journeys.
These symbolic rituals are practised by diverse populations such Native Americans, particularly the Navajo, by Tibetan and Buddhist monks, as well as Indigenous Australians, and also by Latin Americans on certain Christian holy days.
Whatever their purpose across the world, mandalas all have one aspect in common – their pleasing, circular forms are easy-on-eye. They also resonate with most of us on a deeper level as they represent unity, balance, harmony, and inter-connectedness, particularly with the natural world.
Once you start noticing mandala-like forms, you’ll see their influence everywhere – art, architecture, carpets, fabrics and furnishings, mosaics, church windows, and dream catchers, just to name a few.
During this retreat, you’ll learn how to create your own mandala
With the guidance of your teacher, you’ll create either:
A vibrant window mandala using the colours of the five elements, which you’ll take home as a glowing symbol of harmony and balance. (Ideal for beginners. No experience necessary.)
Window mandalas
Or, if the weather co-operates, you’ll design and build a unique nature mandala (also called earth art) made from leaves, fronds, petals, twigs, etc. This is also ideal for beginners and no experience is necessary.
On completion, you’ll take a photo of your creation as a lasting reminder of your connection to the elements and the cosmos. You’ll then leave your actual mandala behind to ‘re-wild’ – either back into the earth or to be scattered by the four winds.
A nature mandala (Photograph by Marg Davidson and featured with her kind permission)
At this retreat, you’ll also have time to explore the tranquil Auckland Botanic Gardens
The Camellia Garden in the Auckland Botanic Gardens
At the end of the retreat, there will be time to take a stroll on your own self-guided tour of these peaceful gardens. You may like to:
- Wander in the Camellia Garden and be transported to temple woodlands of China or Japan. Camellias originated in Asia and this tranquil, meditative garden has been designed with their heritage in mind.
- Admire the many fascinating and intriguing sculptures throughout the gardens.
- Embark on your own ‘sniffari’ and delight in the aromas of the edible and herb gardens.
- Get dreamy with the palms or in the rose garden.
- Immerse yourself in Shinrin-yoku (Japanese for ‘forest bathing’) in the dappled seclusion of the native bush area.
- Or simply wend your way along the many walkways to refresh your eyes and senses on nature at its best.
Retreat pricing: $175 per person
- 100% refundable until 1st September 2025.
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 2nd September and 1st October.
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 1st October.
Limited to 10 participants.
Please contact Jocelyn if you have questions or to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting her on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. She will advise options for payment.
About your instructor
Jocelyn Watkin
Jocelyn Watkin is a qualified qigong and tai chi instructor in Auckland, New Zealand, who has been enjoying the health benefits of these ancient Chinese arts for over 20 years.
She has visited China three times, which included training at the sacred Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain), which is the tūrangawaewae of tai chi and qigong. (Tūrangawaewae is a Te Reo Māori word meaning spiritual home or a place to stand where you feel especially connected).
Jocelyn also teaches restorative, nature journaling and mindfulness-based art therapy to help people manage and relieve stress. When combined with the calming, meditative breathing and movement of qigong, creativity becomes even more restorative.
She is the founder and director of Kia Ora Tai Chi and is registered as a group exercise provider (with own choreography) with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).
Testimonials about Jocelyn from her May 2025 retreat:
- “Fabulous – and I am being honest. Your values and respect shine through Jocelyn.”
- “You are positive and affirming and when you help it felt as if you really were focusing on us as individuals.”
- “Pace and variety perfectly pitched without losing depth of understanding.”
Here are all the details of this 1-Day Retreat to Discover Balance and Harmony with 5-Element Qigong
When: Sunday 2 November 2025, 9am – 3.30pm (please arrive between 8.40 – 8.55am)
Where: Auckland Botanic Gardens (in the Friends Building), 102 Hill Road, The Gardens, Auckland 2105
Parking: Plenty of free parking is available in the main car park at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. The Logan Campbell Building is an indoor venue that is nestled in the gardens and is just a 2-minute walk from the main carpark.
What to wear: Comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to move in and flat-soled shoes. Please bring a jersey or hoodie to keep warm, as we will be sitting still for some of the time (chairs will be provided for this). If you want to explore the gardens after the retreat, please also bring an outdoor jacket.
Please bring: Your lunch, pen and paper to take notes, filled water bottle and a snack.
Who should attend?
This retreat is open to anyone aged 18+ who seeks to refresh and rebalance their body, mind, and soul. Ideal for beginners and also for tai chi and qigong enthusiasts who want to get more out of their practice.
Please contact Jocelyn to reserve a place in this unique retreat by phoning or texting her on 027 493 9851, or using the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. She will advise options for payment.
Cancellation policy
This retreat must be paid for in full to reserve your place.
- $175 per person (100% refundable until 1st September 2025).
- A 50% refund is available if you withdraw between 2 September and 1 October.
- We are unable to provide refunds if you withdraw after 1 October.
If you are unwell on the day of the retreat (2 November 2025)
Please do not attend if you are sick or have a cold, Covid or ‘flu-like symptoms. In these circumstances, you will be issued with a credit to attend another tai chi or qigong workshop or retreat by Kia Ora Tai Chi.
All participants will need to respect the need for social distancing during the retreat. Anyone is welcome to wear a face mask if they wish.
The room will be well-ventilated and hand sanitiser will be provided.
We will abide by the NZ Government’s health advice and regulations as they apply at the time of this retreat.
If you’d like to be among the first to know when other exiting Kia Ora Tai Chi, Qigong or SpinPoi retreats and events happen, please RSVP to receive our free monthly e-newsletter as follows:
- If you are viewing this on a desktop computer – please look to the right of this page for the “Monthly Newsletter Signup” box.
- If you are viewing on a mobile phone or tablet – please scroll down to find the “Monthly Newsletter Signup” box.
- Please complete your details and click the “Sign up” button. Or, you can ask questions and request the free e-newsletter using our “Contact Us” page: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/contact-us/
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 15, 2025 | Information
Free tai chi and qigong for Matariki on the Kauri Point Reserve, Wattle Downs, Manurewa
All ages and abilities welcome for FREE tai chi and qigong in the park for the official Matariki holiday.
When: Friday 20 June 2025, 11 – 11.45am
Where: Kauri Point Reserve in Wattle Downs, Manurewa, which is at the end of a street called “Moor Park”. Refer to map: https://goo.gl/maps/MZHeqttC5rBeL6mu9
This is an outdoor event so we need fine weather.
If we have to cancel: If the weather doesn’t co-operate or if the ground is too wet, please look for the cancellation notice by 9am on 20 June on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi/
For more information, get in touch with the organiser (Jocelyn) through the Contact Us page on this website: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/contact-us/
If the event goes ahead, wrap up warm, pop on a beanie and join in.
Together, we will flow through the calming and harmonising Tai Chi for Strength and Balance followed by the beautiful Māori Qigong called “Hikitia te Hā” (uplifting breathing), which Jocelyn will teach in both Te Reo as well as English.
Matariki (also known as the Pleiades) is a star cluster that heralds the start of the Māori New Year (in mid-winter in Aotearoa/New Zealand). It is a time to focus on mindfulness, reflection, thankfulness, well-being and health.
The Matariki star cluster (also known as the Pleiades)
The three key principles of Matariki are:
- Matariki Hunga Nui. Remembrance. Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki.
- Matariki Ahunga Nui. Celebrating the Present. Gathering together to give thanks for what we have.
- Matariki Manako Nui. Looking to the Future. Looking forward to the promise of a new year.
The 2025 theme is “Matariki mā Puanga”, which is all about inclusion, embracing diversity and celebrating Matariki together.
More about the theme of Matariki mā Puanga
This phrase means Matariki (the Pleiades) AND Puanga (Rigel), and linking these words together acknowledges the relationship between these stars. Both Matariki and Puanga rise in the eastern sky before sunrise during the winter period. However, due to their geographical location, the Matariki star cluster is not visible at that time to all iwi (Māori tribes) and regions of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Instead, they look to the bright star called Puanga as the harbinger of the New Year.
The phrase Matariki mā Puanga is a reminder that regardless of our different backgrounds, origins, and practices, we use this celebration to come together and share the many unique elements that shape our identity.
For more information, get in touch with Jocelyn through the Contact Us page on this website: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/contact-us/
Discover more about Matariki: https://www.matariki.com/about
Find more Matariki events: https://www.matariki.com/events
by Jocelyn Watkin | May 6, 2025 | Information
Dreaming of flying towards the sun this winter?
Feeling all shivery in the mornings? What about when curled up under two duvets at night, dreaming of flying north or to the Pacific Islands to follow the sun?
Before you book that one-way ticket, here’s a cosy secret: you can turn up your inner heat right here at home — no passport required.
As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, many of us start hunting for ways to stay warm without simply cranking up the heater or huddling under several blankets all winter.
Tai chi and qigong might not be the first things that come to mind when you think of keeping warm — but they should be.
So, can tai chi really help quell the quivery shivers of winter?
Yes, absolutely.
Tai chi and qigong are gentle forms of exercise, which means they’ll warm your body just as any physical movement does. But they go far beyond that.
The magic lies in the how. Slow, flowing movements combined with deep, mindful breathing do more than just get your blood moving — they improve your circulation and help your body absorb oxygen more efficiently.
Unlike high-intensity workouts that burn through your oxygen and leave you gasping, tai chi and qigong cultivate a quiet, lasting energy that lingers long after your practice ends.
That’s why so many practitioners describe a subtle, comforting warmth spreading through their bodies — not just during the session, but for hours afterward.
In the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this warmth has an even deeper explanation. Tai chi and qigong help to cultivate your qi — your life force, your mauri — which is believed to support your body’s natural defenses and resilience. A strong flow of qi is said to help you withstand not just winter’s chill, but also many seasonal bugs and fatigue.
And it’s not just ancient wisdom saying this. Modern research backs it up, too. Studies show tai chi and qigong can positively influence immune system functioning and reduce inflammation — helping you feel stronger and more energised during the colder months.
Explore the science here: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/tai-chi-and-qigong-can-boost-immunity/
So next time you reach for another pair of socks or wrap yourself in a blanket, consider this: tai chi and qigong could be your warmest allies this winter.
I welcome new beginners at my tai chi classes in Clendon, Manurewa, on Wednesday evenings, 6.30 – 7.15pm. Your first class is free. Find out more: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/classes/
The photo above of me practising tai chi in the glow of a huge, close-up photo of the sun was taken at the ‘Astronomy Photographer of the Year’ exhibition, Te Whare Taonga o Waikato Museum & Gallery, in Hamilton. https://tewharetaonga.nz/
by Jocelyn Watkin | Apr 16, 2025 | Information
The Kia Ora Tai Chi seniors group understand about ‘use it or lose it.”
American Fitness guru Elaine LaLanne, who is still going strong at age 99, defies the oft-quoted line that loss of muscle and strength is inevitable as we age.
She says, “If you don’t move, you’ll become immovable”.
Age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength definitely exists and is known by the medical term “sarcopenia”. It’s literal meaning is ‘poverty of the flesh’, and it is a major cause of frailty amongst older adults.
It is mainly caused by the natural aging process. However, the good news is that sarcopenia is not inevitable although this will depend on your overall health, physical activity and whether you eat well.
According to University of Otago and Brain Research New Zealand neuroscientist Phil Sheard, even a modest amount of exercise is enough to stave off muscle weakness and frailty in old age. It’s definitely a case of ‘use it, or lose it’.
Can tai chi help? You betcha!
In a 2022 systemic review and meta-analysis of 11 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the conclusion was that: “Patients with frailty or sarcopenia who practiced tai chi exhibited improved physical performance in the 30-second chair stand test, the timed up and go test, number of falls and fear of falling.” Click here to Read more
While any exercise is better than no exercise, it is noted that participants in these studies did tai chi several times per week. The ‘modest amount’ of exercise suggested by the University of Otago means more than once per week. This can be a mixture of exercises, not just tai chi.
You may not be able to completely prevent sarcopenia since the condition happens as part of the natural aging process. But you can take steps to slow the progression of the disease. These include:
- Making healthy food choices: Choose a healthy diet that includes high-quality proteins.
- Exercise: Maintain a physically active lifestyle that includes regular resistance training and exercises that are weight bearing.
- Routine physicals: Visit your doctor or healthcare professional regularly and let them know about any changes in your health.
All of the Kia Ora Tai Chi instructors are approved as Community Group Strength & Balance Programme exercise providers by ACC, Age Concern and Harbour Sport. This is a key part of ACC’s programme called “Live Stronger, for Longer”, which is to reduce and prevent falls in senior adults.
Find out more:
“If you don’t move, you’ll become immovable” (Quote from Elaine LaLanne)
