by Jocelyn Watkin | Jun 7, 2021 | Information |
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 now you can do more than just dream about it.
My new online course, called “Tai Chi for Strength, Balance and Mobility”, has received an enthusiastic thumbs up from ‘guinea pigs’ who ‘test drove’ it.
It is now available for all of you so you can learn 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 a helping hand 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.
If you want to live stronger for longer with better strength, balance and mobility, please enroll using this link: https://navigatinghealthcare.co.nz/programs/#Tai-Chi-for-Strength-Balance-Mobility
by Jocelyn Watkin | Apr 7, 2021 | Information |
We all had a fantastic time at World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on Saturday 24 April 2021
It’s not every day that we get the chance to lead the whole planet in a tai chi and qigong session. Due to our geographical position, Aotearoa/New Zealand was first on 24th April to celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day. (Qigong is pronounced ‘chee – gong’.)
On the last Saturday in April, tens of thousands of people in 100s of cities across the planet join together to celebrate the tranquility and harmony that is tai chi and qigong. Every session starts at 10am local time in each country.
At 10am NZ time on 24th April, we began this world-wide wave of peace, goodwill and aroha. We opened our arms to welcome others into a global tai chi whānau,
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2021 in Cornwall Park
The event was suitable for all ages and abilities. Beginners we made to feel very welcome. Event details:
- When: Saturday 24 April 2021, 10 – 10.45am. Please arrive from 9.40am onwards and be ready to start at 10am
- Where: Cornwall Park, our usual summer tai chi spot under the trees on the left hand side as you’re coming up Pohutukawa Drive from Greenlane Road West. (look for the signs).
- What to wear and bring: Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring a water bottle and a sun hat.
Described as “moving meditation”, tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines relaxed movements which are gentle on the joints with mental focus and mindfulness. Qigong is a meditative breathing programme designed to improve your breathing and well-being.
Check out the video of our 2019 World Tai Chi & Qigong Day celebration in Cornwall Park: https://youtu.be/Io-TbyB-fFw
Find out more:
After the event, Barry (in red shirt) and Goliath stayed on to practice their tai chi cane form
by Jocelyn Watkin | Mar 5, 2021 | Information |
There will be no tai chi session in Cornwall Park on Sunday 7 March, 2021. Sorry everyone. I know you will be disappointed since we will be Alert Level 2.
The cancellation was decided by the park’s management and is for all organised events in the park until Monday 8 March. However, you will be allowed to visit the park for individual exercise and recreation. Please following usual social distancing rules and keep at least one metre apart from anyone who is not in your household bubble.
Good news, we will be back doing tai chi in the park on Sunday 14 March 2021, 9am. Let’s hope the weather will be kind to us, too.
More good news, you can still practice tai chi on your own at home or in your local park. Here is a link to a video of co-instructor Juliana and I showing you the warm up exercises and then teaching you Tai Chi for Memory step-by-step. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/cDvuCbOp1r8
by Jocelyn Watkin | Feb 6, 2021 | Information |
This is a post from February 2021.
Here’s your chance to fall in love with tai chi and qigong. Your heart and health will thank you you for it.
If you want to feel healthier, live stronger for longer and get fitter without puffing, then tai chi and qigong can help you.
The team at Kia Ora Tai Chi are looking for adults of any age and ability, who are keen to make a regular commitment to their health. Come along to learn tai chi and qigong in our new classes for beginners . You can join any time up to (and including) Wednesday 10 March 2021, 6.30 – 7.15pm. Please arrive no later than 6.25pm.
We will be in the Manurewa South School hall, on Totara Road Manurewa, Auckland 2102 (refer to the map further below). Please note that the entrance to the hall and free parking is off Totara Road, which is a different street to the main entrance to the school.
If you’d like to try tai chi, there’ll be a warm welcome at one of the free introductory sessions on Monday 22nd and Wednesday 24th February, 6.30 – 7.15pm.
If you miss the introductory sessions in February, you are still welcome to join the February beginners up until Wednesday 10 March 2021. Your first class is free. After 10 March, anyone who hasn’t already joined the beginners class will need to wait until the next intake. The date is still to be confirmed but is likely to be July 2021 and/or February 2022.
If you’d like to attend, please text or phone Jocelyn Watkin on 027 493 9851 or please use the Contact Form.
After the free classes, you will be encouraged to attend two nights per week on an ongoing basis. However, if you are committed to practicing between classes then it is OK to attend just one class per week. Learning tai chi and qigong takes time but you if keen to gain all of the health, wellbeing and fitness benefits then this investment in your future good health will be worth it.
Here at Kia Ora Tai Chi, we are all constantly amazed at the health improvements that our students tell us about once they attend our classes on a regular basis:
- sleeping better at night
- feeling better all over and less stressed
- improved breathing, with less wheezing or feeling like they’ve ‘run out of breath’
- finding it easier to go up and down stairs
- playing with their children or grandchildren for longer without getting tired
- lowering their high blood pressure
- feeling more flexible and moving better with less aches and pains
- better balance/less falls
- toned muscles.
The map below shows you where to find us. Please note that the entrance to the Manurewa South School hall and the free parking is at 18 Totara Road (please don’t go to the main entrance to the school, which is on another street). Please aim to arrive no later than 6.25pm.
To RSVP or to ask questions about the classes, please use the Contact Form
Cost of classes: Your first class is FREE. After that, prices start from $9.50 per class. A discount is available for those who are referred by ACC and Age Concern for the Community Group Strength and Balance Exercise programme (“Live Stronger for Longer”). You must be aged 65+ to be referred.
What to wear: Please wear loose comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes (such as sneakers, trainers or tennis shoes). Please also bring a drinking bottle of water.
Learn to de-stress with tai chi and qiqog
There have been hundreds of clinical studies over many years that confirm the health benefits of tai chi, especially for the Tai Chi for Health programmes that we teach at Kia Ora Tai Chi. You can read more about these clinical studies here.
One aspect consistent across all studies and trials is that none of these benefits happen overnight or after just one class. The trials take place over several weeks, sometimes several months, and the people being studied do tai chi at least 2 -3 times per week.
Kia Ora Tai Chi students attend at least one class per week, often two, and several practice between each class. Improving your health, fitness and balance is worth a regular commitment to tai chi.
Find out more about Kia Ora Tai Chi classes, how to get to the venue, and what to expect.
Discover more health benefits from tai chi.
Love your heart and your health with tai chi and qigong
Want to know even more about tai chi? Click here
Please RSVP for a free beginner’s class up until (and including) Wednesday 10th March by using the Contact Form or text or phone Jocelyn Watkin on 027 493 9851.
Come along and say kia ora. We’d love to see you. We’re a friendly bunch at a great venue that has lots of free parking.
by Jocelyn Watkin | Nov 20, 2020 | Information |
The summer tai chi sessions in Cornwall Park finished on Sunday 28 March, 2021.
To find out whether there’ll be other free sessions/workshops during the year or in the summer of 2022, please sign up for the free monthly newsletter (to the right of this page) or contact us.
Always wanted to give tai chi and qigong a go? Come along to Cornwall Park for FREE Kia Ora Tai Chi sessions over January, February and March 2021. Fun for all of the family, from children to grandparents.
The sessions start on Sunday 24 January 2021, 9 – 9:45am and will happen every Sunday (9 – 9:45am) until Sunday 28 March. This includes the Sundays of Auckland Anniversary Weekend and Waitangi Weekend. Come along to enjoy relaxing tai chi under the cool of the trees. All welcome.
Location: Under the trees on the left hand side as you’re coming up Pohutukawa Drive from Greenlane Road West. (look out for the signs).
If wet: Please look for the cancellation notice on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page after 4pm on the Saturday evening (the night before a Sunday session). Alternatively, contact me or the Cornwall Park Information Centre at Huia Lodge
Described as “moving meditation”, tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines mental focus and mindfulness with deliberate and relaxed movements that are gentle on the joints. Qigong is a meditative breathing programme designed to improve your breathing and wellbeing.
Summer tai chi and qigong in Cornwall Park is fun, free and suitable for all ages. You don’t need specialist clothing or equipment. Bring a water bottle, a sun hat, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and see you there.
Find out more:
Free summer tai chi and qigong in Cornwall Park
