Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
What’s happening Mr Monk?
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tai Chi: The Nuts and Bolts of the Art for Beginners
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Keep it Simple and Stupid
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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?...
A Tale of Two Tai Chi Masters: Perfected Pot Bellies and Proud Eyebrows:
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 shado...
What was your Name Again?
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Do Not Die in Shackles (part 2)
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Don't die in Shackles (Part 1): What underlies Your Practice of Tai Chi?
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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. Af...
The Subversive Force of Laughter: Tai Chi's Secret (Unused) Weapon
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
The Cult of the Individual
10 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 individuali...
What's New This mOnth?
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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: A...
Introduction to Series 2 of Talking Tai Chi
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A brief introduction to Series 2 of Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmonk. Every month on the 10th, a new episode to be uploaded, with surprise addition...
The Menu is not the Meal
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Letting go, we can change direction. Letting go of "correctness" we can go back to playing, experimenting and learning afresh. Stepping away from the ...
The Teapot Q&A
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we near the near of this series the teapotmonk brings this short update on where we are, whee we are going and changes expected for the rest of the...
The Illusion of Knowledge
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, said Stephen hawking, but the illusion of knowledge. And what about humility? Where has this gone in an...
Is Tai Chi the Ultimate Productivity Tool?
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Understanding the principles of Tai Chi can help you mange your time and handle the pressure to always appear "busy". But how do we apply these princi...
How to find your Inner Rhythm in Tai Chi
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At some point you will have to stop copying and start creating. But how do you find your inner rhythm if you have only been watching another for all t...
How to Identify a Sage in under 10 minutes
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is good and bad in everything. In fact most things are composed of the two. Thats what Yin Yang theory tells us. And in the search for a guide o...
The Empty Honey Pot: The Tao Te Ching
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Forget the Tai Chi Classics or your average manual of instructions. These will tell you what to do, but won't tell you why. For the deeper stuff you'l...
The Book of Changes: I Ching
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's the ultimate shuffle playlist The Red pill or the Blue? The 64 Hexagrams that have been used throughout history to guide behaviour and sugg...
Yin & Yang
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What do we mean by being in balance and the harmony of the opposites? History, meaning, application and interpretation in this weeks black and white e...
Is Less really More and why should we get to know our Cutlery?
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What does this - now cliche - mean and does it have anything useful to tell us about our tai Chi practice? Can Tai Chi help us counter the cultu...
Applied Tai Chi Part 2: The Wu of the Wei
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of this mini series we explore Wu Wei - often misunderstood as "non-action" - when it has more to do with timing, patience and when...
Applied Tai Chi 1: The Way of the Tao
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
New 3 part series on Applied tai Chi - looking at the ways we can use this art outside the classroom and into our daily lives. Today we look at ...
Chi, Cheese and a Gerbil's toothache: Part 2
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 in our internal energy investigation and exploration of the elusive Taoist concept of Chi or Qi. Every other Thursday - a new episode. Su...
Chi, rice and energy: Part 1
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do practitioners define this elusive concept? How can we make sense of it? How do we even spell it? Find out (or not) in todays episode in a new 2...
Language Abuse in the Classroom
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cliches can be harmless, if ineffective. But they can also be insulting, condescending and belittling. What are they? And how can we avoid the use and...
How to Keep healthy Knees in Tai Chi
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do your knees ache after practising Tai Chi? Is it normal or is it a sign that something is wrong. Find out how to make sure your knees stay healt...
That was Then. This is Now
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A new updated podcast 10 years later to quickly review the changes and directions over a decade. Find out where we have been and where we may yet go.....
Meditation in Movement
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What can help you navigate your way back to the here and now, other than Google maps? In this episode we explore how to return to the moment. Every...
Beyond the Mechanics of Tai Chi #2
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can Tai Chi cure toothache? Will it enable me to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Can it stop a locomotive? Will it help me develop a six-pack?&...
Beyond the Mechanics of Tai Chi #1
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a multi-disciplinary art - How can we go beyond the mechanics of the moves in Tai Chi? Part 1 or a 2 part series looking at the health aspect...
How to Spot a thoroughly modern ninja
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why are we training? For what purpose? Who or what are we learning to fight or resist? Every other Thursday - a new episode. Subscribe for the w...
The Way of the Weapon
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Rusty? Probably. Blunt? Most likely. Pointy? Certainly. Discover all the 21st century reasons to learn tai chi sword. https://www.21stcenturytaichi.co...
What makes an art Martial?
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you practice full contact sparring as part of a calorie controlled diet? What is tai chi? A health art or martial art? First in a 3 par...
Reasons to Practice Tai Chi outside the Classroom
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why should we practice outside the classroom and where should we practice? What happens when someone throws asparagus at you whilst you practice...
How long does it take to learn the Tai Chi Form?
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Last week we looked at how best to learn the tai chi form and this week we ask: how long does it take to learn? Maybe we should ask ourselves fi...
Going beyond Copying. Another Way to Learn Tai Chi
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Thoreau said "only when we forget our learning do we begin to know". Does your learning get in the way of your tai chi form? How do you learn from you...
Ice Dissolving in Water_ The Formless Form in Tai Chi
19 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Memory - muscles, foam, short and long term - discover another anarchic 10 minutes of teapotmonk insights into Tai Chi and training. See l...
Authenticity and Pizzas in Tai Chi
12 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Comedy Cafe: Two shackled Students of Tai Chi discuss which of their styles is more authentic than the other. teapotmonk drama this week as he a...
It's All About Style: Part 2
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Second part in this 2-part series on Tai Chi Styles. What are they? What are the differences? Why are there differences and what criteria should we us...
It's All About Style: Part 1
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is it about Styles that divides and conquers? Why are we separated as stylists and what does this say about us? Find out in this 2-part series on...
A Modern Take on Tai Chi History: Part 3
21 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part 3 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk sees the line between fact and fiction as...
A modern Take on Tai Chi History: Part 2
14 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk sees the line between fact and fiction as...
Bonus Podcast: The New Kid on the Block
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Half an hour a week of any strengthening exercises, even something as basic as push-ups, could reduce your risk of dying from any cause (including he...
A modern take on Tai Chi History Part 1
07 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1 of a 3 part series investigating the controversial and oft disputed history of the art. As the teapotmonk has absolutely no idea as to what cou...
Why are there no uniforms in Tai Chi?
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Todays Talking Tai Chi Episode: A Lack of Uniformity In Karate and Judo and other martial arts, practitioners wear uniforms. In Tai Chi - some p...
Anniversary Edition: Cheng Man-ch'ing and his Tai Chi Short Form
24 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
SHOW NOTES On this special anniversary of the death of Cheng Man-ch'ing - I have compiled a series of videos, articles and this podcast to celeb...
What Does Tai Chi Mean?
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Todays Talking Tai Chi Episode: Why are there different spellings and pronunciations of Tai Chi and what do they all mean? Why do schools and pe...
What Do We mean in Tai Chi by Rooting?
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. Find out more about learning Tai Chi in the 21st century with the teapotmon...
Yielding like Custard, Sticking like toffee. What does this mean in Tai Chi?
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode The Tao Te Ching says we should learn to Yield like a Portuguese custard tart, stick like gum on the bottom o...
Looking for a local Tai Chi Class? Check out these Essential tips
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode In the days before the pandemic when people dismissed the idea of training online - there were few of us expl...
What is Tai Chi?
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every Thursday afternoon - a new episode. Subscribe for the whole series. What is Tai Chi and why learn it in the 21st century? The teapotmonk e...
Talking Tai Chi with the teapotmOnk (trailer)
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Blending past and present - this renewed series gathers lost episodes alongside new recordings. Every Thursday a new release. Subscribe to be notified...