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School News

RDTC’s NEW OFFICE

As most of you know, we handed over Poulstone Court to Mel and Steve at the beginning of May. Happily, the School’s presence continues at Poulstone, as Mel and Steve are members of the School and the Barn continues to be the Tai Chi space there. However the RDTC office has moved with us so if you need to contact us for any reason here are the new details:

PO Box 149 - Hereford - HR1 9EU

Tel/Fax: 01989 740 590

email: rdtc@risingdragon.co.uk

THE NEW DEEPENING 2008/9

This year saw 18 RDTC students graduate out of the 7th Deepening Course - congratulations! However after 14 years of running this extraordinary course, with over 125 RDTC students graduating, it was time for me to take a break and re-assess the course and what it is offering to the School at present.

A number of things have become clear. Firstly I would like to run another - deep work is what I love to do! Secondly I feel I would like to make the invitation more open and less exclusive. Thirdly whilst making sure there is enough time to cover the subjects, it needs to be more user friendly. By making the course shorter there is less financial strain.

If you are studying with Rising Dragon then the chances are you are more interested in the spiritual side of Tai Chi than the Martial side. Of course they are not mutually exclusive. The essence of my 33 years of study with Tai Chi are the Four Principles. They are also the Heart of Rising Dragon Tai Chi and what makes it unique and special as a school of Tai Chi. As I said before I have been sharing these as the lead articles in the past two newsletters. In the original Deepening, amongst many other subjects offered, the Four Principles were one of the main threads of the first year. So it felt correct, in this simplified but no less deep course, to make these Four Principles the central teaching thread.

The course will consist of four weekends, one every five months, with each weekend focussing on one principle. In between the weekends you will have time to integrate and explore this principle in your Tai Chi and your life, as you wish.

This new Deepening will be open to all students whether new or old, whether you have just started or are a long time student. If you want to learn the secret of living Tai Chi and the true heart of happiness, then this is a good time and a good course to come on. It is a golden opportunity.

I will be making the invitation to you in early September with the deadline for booking late October. It will be a great spiritual adventure and potentially a stepping stone to becoming a teacher of the Four Principles. Whether you teach the Form, Shibashi, or something else completely, the principles are what give life, meaning, depth and relevance in the modern world. I hope you’ll decide to come.

NEW PUSH HANDS/DUO TAI CHI BOOKLET

If the Solo Form is to find the Tao of Self, the switch from separation to unity within oneself, then the Duo Form of Tai Chi Chuan is to take that unity and test it in relation to another. Therefore at some point in your Tai Chi journey you will need to take this step. In life we are constantly in relationship with each other and with the different aspects of our life, so to be able to stay resting in our true centre as we move and mingle with them is something very important.

The real purpose of the “Forms” or methods is to serve as templates or grounds to practise a way of being, so that we can live this in real life. They are safe places, formal places where we can examine what actually happens to us when we are confronted by something difficult. We can then understand it and replace it with something more natural, less defensive and real to who we truly are. The Forms are there to free us not to trap us.

This new version is to help those approaching Duo Tai Chi for the first time to understand why we do what we do and how Duo Tai Chi can help. Whether you are just interested and have not started yet, or are just beginning, or want the path clarified in writing, then this is for you. Ask your teacher to order one for you, or order a copy with a credit card from the office direct. The price is £6 + p&p £1.50.

NEWS FROM THE RDTC TEACHING CIRCLE

At the March RDTC Teaching Circle at Poulstone, the teachers decided to change how we meet as a group. In 2006 we had a very successful meeting with the assistants and those interested in helping to teach RDTC. We wanted to nourish this in ourselves and others, so we have decided to split the biannual meetings into two kinds.

The Teachers will join what is called the Deeper Circle, to deepen their own personal exploration of the Principles with their fellow teachers and advanced students. The second meeting will be open to those who support the teaching of RDTC or who have an interest in teaching RDTC. This weekend will run from Friday to Sunday on

23rd to 25th November 2007

RICHARD’S NEWS

The Soul Moves courses have done really well this year both in this country and abroad - see www.soulmoves.co.uk for more info.

I have been exploring teaching the principles to people with MS and working beneficially with cancer sufferers too.

I have recently started a new “short” Short Form class in Hereford where I am experimenting with new ways of sharing this ancient art.

Students of RDTC as well as the general public are also taking the valuable opportunity to have one to one sessions with me in the Barn - try it! Contact me on Email: richard@risingdragon.co.uk or

telephone 01989 740 590

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