Free tai chi and qigong with me every Sunday morning (9am) and Tuesday evening (6pm) in Cornwall Park until Tuesday 29 March 2022. Weather dependent and you’ll need to bring your “My Vaccine Pass”.
Ideal for beginners of all ages and abilities, particularly those seeking a calming and nurturing exercise experience that is also effective for fitness and balance.
Tai chi and qigong are good for your body as well as your mind and are helpful at reducing stress.
The 45-minute sessions in Cornwall Park are free, fun and suitable for all ages and abilities, especially beginners. Feel free to invite family, friends and colleagues to join in. The sessions are outside and there’s a whole park for us to spread out in.
To attend these classes, everyone will need to present their My Vaccine Pass on arrival and scan the Cornwall Park QR code. Masks are encouraged while you interact with me or other participants at the start, but are not required during the class as physical distancing will be in place. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask for the whole time, I support your decision.
Summer Tai Chi in the Park sessions are covered by Cornwall Park’s health and safety requirements, including their conditions of entry. I have been hired by the park’s management to provide these classes as part of their official programme of events.
Here is all of the information you need:
Where are the sessions? In Cornwall Park about halfway up Pōhutukawa Drive and under the trees to the left of the road. (Same place as previous years).
Directions for those who haven’t attended before: Drive, cycle or walk into Cornwall Park from Greenlane Road West. That entry road is called Pōhutukawa Drive. My tai chi sessions will be about halfway up Pōhutukawa Drive on the left hand side and under the trees. Look for me and my instructors in our red Kia Ora Tai Chi shirts. If you get to the roundabout you’ve gone past us. Refer to the park’s visitor information website for a park map: Cornwall Park visitor info
Days and times: Sunday mornings at 9am (we’ll be there from 8.45am) and Tuesday evenings at 6pm (we’ll be there from 5.45pm).
How long are the sessions? 45 minutes
What to bring: your My Vaccine Pass, a mask, water bottle, a sun hat/sun block and wear comfy clothing and footwear.
If rainy or when there are high winds: Look for the cancellation notice on the Kia Ora Tai Chi Facebook page: www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi/ or text me on 027 493 9851. Or you can check with the park’s visitor centre (the Huia Lodge Discovery Hub, open 7 days from 10am – 4pm) https://cornwallpark.co.nz/contact
What happens if Omicron numbers get higher? The tai chi sessions cantake place at all current red, orange and green ‘traffic light settings’. Changes may be required with the tai chi sessions if the settings are changed by the government. Updates will be available on the Cornwall Park website or on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page: www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi/
I would so love to see you under those lovely shady trees in the park. I will teach a number of exciting and differenttai chi and qigong forms as the sessions progress and until the last one on Tuesday 29 March.
Wouldn’t it feel great to have a dimmer switch for stress? Imagine the relief to be able to dial down your stress levels just as you would with a harsh light? Absolutely! With healing, candlelit tai chi and qigong, you’ll learn how to slow down, let go of stress and slip easily into soothing movements. It will be just like having your very own dimmer switch.
Can you imagine how blissful it would be to fall into a deep slumber each night almost as soon as your head hits the pillow? Totally amazing! During tai chi and qigong by candlelight, you’ll learn calming meditative breathing so you can feel settled, relaxed and tranquil when you go to bed.
I offer two different, guided lessons online for this restorative and healing experience on consecutive Monday nights. Both classes involve gentle and effective movement, tailored breathing exercises, relaxation and mindfulness practices.
Join one or both sessions, which you will attend live and online from your own home. You can even wear your pyjamas if you wish, so you can be ready to slip into bed as soon as the session ends.
In the mornings after these sessions, you should wake up feeling renewed, refreshed and ready for the week ahead
Monday 22 November 2021, evening, 7.30 – 8.30pm
Release stress and anxiety and re-balance your world with candlelit 5-Element Qigong. You will learn this ancient Chinese breathing exercise based on the five universal elements (earth, metal, water, wood and fire). The calming qigong movements will soothe your mind and body to restore peace and harmony within you. This guided session is an ideal way to let go of your worries and unwind so you can fall into a blissful slumber.
Monday 29 November 2021, evening, 7.30 – 8.30pm
Let your senses soften in the candlelight so you can slow down and relax your mind and muscles. You’ll feel your stress melt away with the gentle and restorative movements of tai chi and qigong. Your breath will become slower and deeper during this guided session of relaxation and meditation. You’ll be calm, tranquil and ready for bed and a rejuvenating night of sleep.
Cost per session
Attend one session: $15 per person, per session
Attend two sessions: $10 per person, per session (i.e. $20 for both sessions)
Video recordings for each session you attend will be available at no extra charge, which you can replay as often as you need.
How to RSVP
Please contact me no later than Friday 19 November 2021 to arrange payment (online banking or PayPal) and to receive the Zoom link(s) to attend one or both of these candlelit sessions. You can get in touch using the contact form on my website, email me on kiaorataichi@gmail.com or phone/text me on 027 493 9851
More about me (Jocelyn Watkin)
I am qualified tai chi and qigong instructor. During lockdowns over the last 18 months, I have perfected techniques for teaching online, which have included doing tai chi and qigong while seated and also lying down. My students all comment that my lessons have helped them to cope with life and lockdowns as they feel relaxed and calm afterwards, which relieves stress and helps them to sleep.
I am a board-certified and premier instructor for the internationalTai Chi for Health Instituteand am the founder and director of Kia Ora Tai Chi. I have been learning about and enjoying the health benefits of tai chi and qigong since 2003.
Click here to find out more about me, my experience and qualifications.
How to RSVP
Please contact me no later than Friday 19 November 2021 to arrange payment (online banking or PayPal) and to receive the Zoom link(s) to attend one or both of these candlelit sessions. You can get in touch using the contact form on my website, email me on kiaorataichi@gmail.com or phone/text me on 027 493 9851
Jocelyn teaches you from her online tai chi studio
Wouldn’t it be awesome if you could learn tai chi from me without having to leave home? Totally awesome and don’t just dream about it.
Vaccination for Covid-19 is not required as this course is completed online in your own space.
My new online course, called “Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility”, has received an enthusiastic thumbs up from participants who ‘test drove’ it.
It is now available so you can learn from me at any time that suits you, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and anywhere you have computer, tablet or mobile phone.
This course has six modules, each designed to be comfortably completed within one week. However, you can take longer if you like. There are easy-to-read articles and how-to videos where I show you the movements step-by-step and share the secrets of tai chi. It will be like I am right there in your home with you.
I am a qualified, premier instructor for the Tai Chi for Health Institute. Find out why I can help you learn tai chi that is safe, easy-to-learn and effective: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/about-us/
The course is ideal for anyone who:
is worried about their balance or who wants to help a family member or friend to improve their balance.
wants to get fitter and stronger.
needs something that truly helps to manage and reduce stress.
would love a good night’s sleep.
is curious about tai chi and how it works for strength, balance and mobility.
is an instructor teaching tai chi for fall prevention or strength & balance classes
One participant said of the course: “The special breathing I learned has helped me de-stress and calm down. It feels like a weight off my chest and shoulders”.
Can you imagine how blissful it would be to fall into a deep slumber almost as soon as your head hits the pillow? During this course, you’ll learn calming meditative breathing that you can use anywhere and anytime you feel stressed or worried, especially just before you go to bed. Click here if you’re looking for sweet dreams
Wouldn’t it be a relief to help a friend or family member improve their balance so you no longer worry about them having a fall and getting hurt? It sure would. Click here to help that special someone to stand tall and with good balance.
How amazing would it be if you could live stronger for longer? Totally! You’ll have access to the videos and articles for at least six months so you can regularly practice and build more strength and balance. Click here if you want to become more mobile and for years longer.
Sabine, a qualified Tai Chi for Health instructor recommends this course: Thank you Jocelyn, for a very enjoyable course. I loved the step-by-step approach and I could feel the improvement of my core strength, breathing and posture. Safety was top priority through the whole course and it was achieved with very clear and easy instructions. Overall, a wonderful experience.
All this and more with my new Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility course… and you won’t have to go out on a wintry wet night to learn it. You can participate in the privacy and warmth of your own home.
For just $99 you’ll receive:
The full online course of six sessions, with supporting articles and how-to learning videos, which are delivered to your email inbox once per week.
Additional resources of a practice journal and checklist.
Access to a client portal where you can ask questions and share experiences each week.
Kia ora and thank you for your interest in Kia Ora Tai Chi and in learning tai chi and qigong.
Due to demand, the beginners’ tai chi and qigong evening classes are now full. A new beginners evening tai chi and qigong class will start in 2022, possibly in February.
If you’d like to be placed on the priority waiting list for next year, please text or phone Jocelyn Watkin: 027 493 9851. Alternatively, please use the Contact Form to get in touch.
In the meantime, there are still three very good opportunities to learn tai chi with Kia Ora Tai Chi.
The Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility online course has been designed and developed by Jocelyn (of Kia Ora Tai Chi) and can be completed at any time that suits you. You can learn at your own time and pace as the course is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and anywhere you have a computer, tablet, mobile phone or data capable big screen TV.
It is ideal for beginners and also for tai chi instructors who teach strength and balance classes. Check it out.
Half-day tai chi retreat to relieve stress, sleep better and create a calm and centred universe for you
Come along to Kia Ora Tai Chi’s out-of-this-world mini retreat at the Stardome to learn how to relieve stress, sleep better and create a calm and centred universe for you with tai chi and qigong.
Date and time: Friday 17 September 2021, 1.30 – 7.45pm.
Tai chi at Turuki on Thursday mornings, with co-instructor Aria
With co-instructor Aria, Jocelyn also offers a tai chi class on Thursday mornings, which accepts beginners at any time and of any age and ability. These classes are free and are held from 10 – 10.45am at Turuki Health Care in Mangere No need to RSVP, just come along. Click here to find out more.
Please text or phone Jocelyn Watkin for more information about any of her classes, courses, workshops or retreats: 027 493 9851. Alternatively, please use the Contact Form to get in touch.
Join in with the Kia Ora Tai Chi team for a free tai chi and qigong session to celebrate Matariki and the wonderful Māori New Year.
Have fun, breathe better and make new friends with 5-Element Qigong, which is a meditative breathing programme to harmonise your mind and body. This is a great chance for a new and healthier you for the New Year.
You will also learn the beautiful and flowing Hikitia te Hā (“uplifting breathing”, also known as Māori Tai Chi).
Ideal for beginners of all ages and abilities. The whole session can easily be done while standing, seated or a mixture of both.
When: Saturday 3 July 2021, 2 – 3pm, please arrive from 1.45pm onward Where: The theatre building, Nathan Homestead, 70 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland. There is plenty of free parking at this venue, which is close to the motorway. Refer to this map RSVP: Yes please, as places are limited to just 16 people. Please email or text/phone me: 027 493 9851 to reserve your spot. (Note: there is a limit of two people per booking) Cost: Free (A big thank you to Nathan Homestead and Auckland Council for providing the venue at no charge).
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and is the start of a new year in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2021, Matariki will be observed Aotearoa/New Zealand between 19 June to 11 July.
Wouldn’t it feel great to have a dimmer switch for stress? Imagine the relief to be able to dial down your stress levels just as you would with a harsh light? Absolutely! With healing, candlelit tai chi and qigong, you’ll learn how to slow down, let go of stress and slip easily into soothing movements. It will be just like having your very own dimmer switch.
