Time: Sundays at 10:00am to 11:00am. New beginners group starting 15th of March.

Location: outdoors on a private property in Laingholm.

Cost: $15 (cash or bank transfer).

Weather-dependent: we have a WhatsApp group where we confirm whether the class will be going ahead or not on any given week.

Travel times: 10 minutes drive from Titirangi, Waima, Woodlands Park or Parau. 15-20 minutes drive from New Lynn, Blockhouse Bay, Green Bay, Glen Eden, Oratia, Waiatarua, Cornwallis or Huia. 40 minutes drive from Auckland City Centre.

- ABOUT THE CLASS -

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a Chinese form of mindful exercise designed in accordance with the principles of Chinese energy medicine and self-defence. Tai Chi is proven to be very beneficial for health, longevity, relaxation, balance, circulation and recovery from injuries. The movements of Tai Chi are done with intention and the mind has to be fully engaged. Tai Chi is a moving meditation where the body and the mind work as one.

In this class we focus on internal principles of Tai Chi. At the beginner level you will learn twelve exercises that contain the core principles of Tai Chi and will form the foundation of your daily practice at home.

It is important to note that the health benefits are not derived from knowing tai chi movements. The health benefits are derived from doing tai chi movements. This class will support you with creating an enjoyable short daily practice routine that either sets you up for the day or helps you wind down before sleep.

Tai Chi form and partner exercises are taught at intermediate levels.

Meditation

Meditation, at the beginner level, is an exercise of regaining control of our attention and learning to direct and sustain it. This allows us to interrupt the endless stream of unpurposeful thoughts and to bring our attention into the present moment. This greatly reduces stress and increases clarity on many levels. Once the state of presence is achieved there are many other meditation techniques that can be practiced for self-discovery, deeper awareness and inner healing.

The meditation teachings in this class have a practical focus and do not require the students to adopt any religious or spiritual beliefs.

Nature

This class is held outdoors on the grass by the trees, away from the roads and noise. Being in nature helps us relax, get grounded, reconnect with ourselves and reconnect with the life energy all around us.

Instructor

Lineage: Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) > Cheng Man Ching (1902-1975) > Huang Sheng Shyan (1910-1992) > Yek Sing Ong > Michael Yek > Valera Koltsov

Valera joined Sing Ong Tai Chi (Yek family school) in 1999 under Michael Yek’s tutelage and remained with the school for 12 years, completing thousands of hours of training, learning from Michael Yek, his father Yek Sing Ong and their senior students, and becoming a certified instructor. In 2005 Valera opened Sing Ong Tai Chi branches in St Heliers and Ponsonby and ran them for over six years. From 2012 and to this day Valera has been teaching an independent Tai Chi class in Laingholm. Valera believes that he has many years of learning and practice ahead of him and feels grateful for the good foundation given to him by his teachers.

Valera also has extensive experience in different modalities of meditation and personal growth work. He has been teaching different forms of meditation for over a decade – in Laingholm, Central Auckland and at New Zealand festivals.

- HOW TO JOIN -

If you are interested in joining or trying a session, send an email to events@growthspace.nz with Tai Chi Class in the subject line and tell us a little bit about yourself and why you are interested in this class. Include your mobile number for the WhatsApp group. We will confirm when you can join and how to find us.

- PHOTO ALBUM -

At Sing Ong Tai Chi instructors camp (2008) – Valera Koltsov, Master Yek Sing Ong, Master Michael Yek.

Early days of the Laingholm Tai Chi class – December 2012.

Laingholm Tai Chi & Meditation Class – December 2020.