Just a reminder to all that there will be no classes tonight, 26th October, or this week as we take a 1 week break for half-term. The next class back will Monday 6:30pm 2nd November.

Hi all this is just a quick note to say that the first class back at the Lam Rim Centre will be Wednesday 2nd September at 8:00 – 9:30pm. From that point all other classes will continue as normal.

Monday classes will resume on Monday 7th September at 6:30-8:00pm.

As an additional note to late Wednesday classes, a local Yoga school has now taken up the early slot on a Wednesday. Due to the nature of their class structure, and after having a conversation with the teacher, can I ask all students not enter the hall (where we practice our form) to get to the café area until 7:50pm please. This is due to it being with beginners and a portion of teaching that requires meditation and out of respect I said the school would be mindful of this.

So as the weather is variable and we’re coming towards the end of Summer when coming in to the side entrance if you come early can you please either remain downstairs, or if you can get through the Main doors to the centre go up the central stairs (equally being mindful of practitioners in the practice rooms on the ground floor), to the café? Many thanks.

As with last year both classes over a 10 week period went through and reviewed Yang Cheng-fu’s 10 essential points of practice, this term we will be doing something similar. Over a 4 week period both classes will be being introduced to and taught Dr Chi Chiang-tao’s 7 point practice of Tai Chi.

Dr Chi Chiang-tao’s 7 Point’s of Practice:

1. Full

2. Empty

3. Yin

4. Yang

5. Open

6. Closed

7. Central Equilibrium

By paring up most the of the points we will deepen our practice of the natural and correct techniques of Tai Chi and how we can develop and advance our practice and experience. The 7 point principles are essential in Tai Chi whether you want to practice just for health or martial art. A thorough understanding of them is vital to advancing to higher stages in Tai Chi practice.

Enjoy the last week before we come back to classes and as the season transforms so does our awareness to make sure our practice adapts to any changes internal or external, yet always for ours and others benefits.

See you soon

Phil and Chris

Dear all,

The last class before Easter will be on:

Thursday 26th March

The first class back after Easter will be on:

Monday 13th April

Have a relaxing break and prepare to move and transform into the Spring time energy of growth and development.

From Chris and Phil

Dear all,

I am attaching a copy of the new poster we are currently leafleting around Bristol for a potential new beginners class on Wednesday’s for the early slot.

If anyone would like to forward the attachment to anyone they think might be interested or even print off a copy to put up at work or a local place of interest then me and Chris would be over the moon.

It includes my mobile number and the website and Middleway e-mail address for further contact if you know anyone that would like to find out more direct, if they haven’t already picked your brains about it.

If you can help out we would be very thankful.

Best regards Phil and Chris.

Middleway School of Tai Chi 2015 leaflet

please see the newsletter for the school for the Christmas period and news about classes in the New Year.

december 2014 Middleway Newsletter

Please click on the link for the newsletter: –

Summer 2014 Middleway Newsletter

Here’s a new article I’m posting based upon some experiences of practising outside which I will be arranging at the weekends soon, hopefully semi-regularly. The experience of outdoors practise can be more enriching than indoors practice and can actually be stronger for many reasons. As a result I decided to help clarify the importance of connecting to the ground through this short article:

Ground control article

Phil V

Aswell as preparation for the Long Form classes starting back in the new year 2014, this reproduction of Yang Cheng Fu’s famous 10 essential points of Tai Chi/Taijiquan is a vital check list for all practitioners.

The school will be concentrating on one point in turn each week where we will effectively have a Yang Cheng Fu term so we can understand each point and how to develop it in our overall practice. Please note this will not replace our actual syllabus of Tai Chi merely that we can examine the essential point in the form of: a partner exercise, a standing posture, posture correction, stand alone exercise etc. It will be overlayed onto what we are already learning as a working experience of understanding the Tai Chi classics better.

Please see the reproduced translation below from Yang Cheng Fu’s chief disciple Chen Wei Ming:

YCF Ten Essentials Points of Taijiquan