Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk

By Paul ReadAlternative Health Health & Fitness

Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk episodes

February 08, 2024 What’s happening Mr Monk?
As is the nature of all things, change appears once more on the horizon. But there is other news too - such as the Taichi weekend retreat from Feb 9th - free to all. It’s a digital series of activities that you can join head over to https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/balance-retreat
4 min
January 10, 2024 Tai Chi: The Nuts and Bolts of the Art for Beginners
2024 is time for a update to the old FAQ and beginners guide, so this month I'm giving you a brief audio version of the new guide that ⁠you can find here,⁠ with all the associated videos that explore each question in more detail.

The new post and guide
https://www.teapotmonk.com/beginners-guide-tai-chi

26 min
December 10, 2023Keep it Simple and Stupid
Going Beyond the Final Frontier.
What do we mean by The Tai Chi form? How long is it? How many postures does it have? How long does it take to learn?
These simple questions are some of the most difficult to answer, because the Form is not one thing.
There are so many variations that it becomes meaningless to discuss in general terms, but that is what we shall do today. We shall ask Captain Kirk to join us as we go boldly forth and attempt to break it all down, then pick it back up and in so doing, learn a little about what makes a Tai Chi form.
LINKS
teapotmonk Tai Chi

Beginners Guide to Tai Chi and Course offer

All books and courses on offer.
13 min
November 10, 2023A Tale of Two Tai Chi Masters: Perfected Pot Bellies and Proud Eyebrows:
Today, a short Taoist tale recovered recently amongst the ruins of a temple, once situated on the far banks of a certain river, sheltered in the shadows of the Wudan mountains.
The story tells of a peculiar Tai Chi tournament and is called Perfected Pot Bellies and Proud Eyebrows. It features two unusual Tai Chi masters, a goat and the meaning of winning or losing.
For more info and associated graphics see
teapotmonk.com
For more info on the new paperback and free complete Tai Chi video course - see
https://www.teapotmonk.com/learn-a-simple-10-step-tai-chi-form

Every month on the 10th - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com

The teapotmonk: https://www.teapotmonk.com
14 min
October 10, 2023What was your Name Again?
The use and abuse of titles in the martial arts, society and all other places beneath the ozone layer.
Why is the telephone engineer called Bob and not Master Bob?

Why is a specialist carpenter, artist or musician not called "Master"?

Why is there an over reliance on lineage to determine worth?

How to avoid the dangers of titles and names

On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-between so make sure you subscribe not to miss these special episodes.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: ⁠https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com⁠

The teapotmonk: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk⁠.com

The Tai Chi Illustrated Workbook: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk.com/taichi-illustrated-workbook⁠

The new Tai Chi Form paperback: https://www.teapotmonk.com/learn-a-simple-10-step-tai-chi-form
6 min
September 10, 2023Do Not Die in Shackles (part 2)
How to turn a good intention into a daily practice with Mencius and his radical ideas about doing good. Well, not so radical really, for his ideas are pretty simple, but simplicity is hardly the flavour of the month when we are being sold the idea that life is so complicated we need to purchase out way to simplicity.

On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-between so make sure you subscribe not to miss these special episodes.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: ⁠https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com⁠

The teapotmonk: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk⁠.com

The Tai Chi Illustrated Workbook: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk.com/taichi-illustrated-workbook⁠
10 min
August 10, 2023Don't die in Shackles (Part 1): What underlies Your Practice of Tai Chi?
There are many different reasons (on the surface) why we begin our practice of Tai Chi, but underneath this there is but one reason: We are afraid. Afraid of getting hurt, afraid of getting ill, afraid of feeling lost.
Why does fear lie grumbling beneath our feet?

Part 1 in a 2 part series in which we delve into the reasons behind the fear..
Next month: the solutions.

On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-between so make sure you subscribe not to miss these special episodes.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: ⁠https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com⁠

The teapotmonk: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk⁠.com

The Tai Chi Illustrated Workbook: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk.com/taichi-illustrated-workbook⁠
11 min
July 10, 2023The Subversive Force of Laughter: Tai Chi's Secret (Unused) Weapon
Welcome to this episode in which we explore the subversive side of humour and how it can liberate, inform, expose and undercut in a way that no kick or punch could ever do. In this episode we ask:
Why is it that no-one ever chuckles when reading the The Tai Chi Classics?

What happens when two taoists and a giraffe walk into a bar and one says to the other..

What is the relationship between eyebrows and cul-de-sacs?
Discover the hidden elements that will help you forget a new form, a new approach and a new haircut and allow your Tai Chi to express itself, rather than simply mirror that of your instructor.
Learn the secret tools of humour in this special version of One Last Thing here.
Renowned International Journalist Gerald Greene is about to retire - when he is persuaded to do One Last Thing - travel back in time to interview the greatest writers and fighters:
Bruce Lee talks about his nunchaku obsession with Carl Jung

Alan Watts lectures The Priests from the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Series

Rocky talks aggression with Marshal McLuhan

Lao Tzu discusses productivity and wifi issues in the 5th Century BC

David Carradine challenges Bruce Lee (on the phone)

Mas Oyama talks Animal Rights

Krishnamurti discusses hair with Colt

Mr Han-Man talks about his concerns with the poster of Enter the Dragon
On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-between so make sure you subscribe not to miss these special episodes.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: ⁠https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com⁠

The teapotmonk: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk⁠.com

The Tai Chi Illustrated Workbook: ⁠https://www.teapotmonk.com/taichi-illustrated-workbook⁠
10 min
June 10, 2023The Cult of the Individual
Goodness is spread like a dollop of marmite on your neighbours toast.
Welcome to this second series that begins with a look at how rampant individualism has percolated down into everything we do, even the practices we adopt. It has come to define our lifes purpose, our health, our relationships, our aims and objectives and our martial arts.
What can we do to counter this tendency and how can a practice like Tai Chi offer us a solution? This is the theme of this new series to be released on the 10th of each month. And in between, sporadic and spontaneous complimentary episodes on a host of related material.
Today we begin with the Cult of the Individual and ask: How do you escape the reverb of your thoughts? How do you combat the complacency of the age we live in? And Where do you find purpose in what you do? (answer the poll in this episode notes)
On the 10th of each month - a new episode. (with surprise episodes released in-between so make sure you subscribe not to miss these special episodes.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com

The teapotmonk: https://www.teapotmonk.com

The Tai Chi Illustrated Workbook: https://www.teapotmonk.com/taichi-illustrated-workbook
11 min
June 05, 2023What's New This mOnth?
The new Tai Chi suggestion page for June is out - plus get 30% off price of the new workbook. See link in show notes and this month you will find:
An article on the famous ping-pong nunchaku Bruce Lee video that eternally crops up on timelines. What is the truth behind the match?

You'll also find preview of the podcasts and a video on the Baduanjn bears, that lead into the workouts this month that focus on energy and qigong.

There is also a brand new 10 minute stretch sequence that will be released on Thursday to alleviate tense and tired bodies

And a downloadable PDF on the superfood drink of Turmeric and black pepper

Finally this months audio-book review is RL Wing on the I Ching and and we look not only at a physical book, but the app version too and the digital casting of the coins. Something that sets it apart from all other versions as it is an interactive workbook, something you not only consult but engage with.
PLUS! The New Illustrated Workbook is out. First 30 people get 30% discount.
The first 30 people to use this coupon will the book at the discounted price.
Discount Code for Workbook
https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/tai-chi-workbook?coupon=PODCAST30PEOPLE30DISCOUNT

What's new this month
https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/this-month

Every month on the 10th - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series.
Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmonk
Tai Chi Training and Resources: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com

The teapotmonk: https://www.teapotmonk.com
Ways we learn Tai Chi: https://www.21stcenturytaichi.com/ways-of-learning-taichi
6 min

About Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk

From the publisher's feed

A series of insights into the diverse world of Tai Chi from a 21st century perspective with the teapotmOnk. In this series, he looks at everything from learning the tai chi form and martial practices, to learning locally and online. But it is not just the moves, it's ideas too from the I Ching, Tao Te Ching and the philosophical as well as cultural influences that have helped shaped the art into the practice we know today.