WI REPORT MARCH 2014
Our visiting speaker at our March meeting
was Jazmin Valasco, an expert in T'ai chi ch'uan.
T'ai chi ch'uan often shortened to t'ai chi
is a Chinese martial art practised for both its defence training and its health
benefits. The term T'ai chi ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate
fist". It is typified by some for its slow movements but secondary forms
have a faster pace. Some traditional schools teach partner exercises known as
tuishou "pushing hands" and martial applications of the taolu's
"forms" postures.
So we presented ourselves dressed in loose
clothing and comfortable footwear for an evening of, what some of us thought
would be, meditative movements in a relaxed environment. We began with a
salutation, pressing our fist to our palm and bowing. Jazmin introduced us to
graceful, measured, fluid moves with exotic names coupled with controlled
breathing as a warm-up. These slow movements seemed effortless and benign.
However, this was just the beginning of a
session designed to bring out the more physical instincts
in our usually mild- mannered ladies. We were paired up and there was no
question of playing nicely. We were introduced to martial acts of
self-defence against our partners which, had we been more skilled, might have
led to a trail of broken limbs and life- threatening neck wounds! Fortunately, in spite of Jazmin's expert
guidance and modelling of moves, no-one was harmed in the proceedings!!!!!! The
only pain experienced was the result of helpless laughter from the sight of our
ungainly intertwined, writhing limbs.
Club
activities for March included a Craft morning on 15th March and a WI
Diners’ lunch at Isle of Purbeck Golf Club on Friday 28th March.
The Group
Meeting, for local WIs, will take place on Thursday 8th April at
Broadmayne with speaker, Colin Varndell, Wildlife Photographer. Other County
activities in the near future include:-An Archery Course in May at Gorcombe
Park, Blandford; A Science Lunch at Athelhampton House in July with Dr Zoe
Laughlin;
An outing to
Buckingham Palace in September.
Future local
events include our next meeting on Wednesday 2nd April which is our
AGM. After the serious business of the evening, including electing a new
committee, we will engage in Line Dancing a la Charleston! We encourage
everyone to arrive with a suggestion of the 1920’s- a feather or boa will do,
or, for the more adventurous, something with a flapper theme. There is no
pressure for the reluctant to engage in the dancing, spectating is completely
acceptable! Do come and join us for an entertaining evening!
Halina Simpson
WI REPORT MARCH 2014
Our visiting speaker at our March meeting
was Jazmin Valasco, an expert in T'ai chi ch'uan.
T'ai chi ch'uan often shortened to t'ai chi
is a Chinese martial art practised for both its defence training and its health
benefits. The term T'ai chi ch'uan translates as "supreme ultimate
fist". It is typified by some for its slow movements but secondary forms
have a faster pace. Some traditional schools teach partner exercises known as
tuishou "pushing hands" and martial applications of the taolu's
"forms" postures.
So we presented ourselves dressed in loose
clothing and comfortable footwear for an evening of, what some of us thought
would be, meditative movements in a relaxed environment. We began with a
salutation, pressing our fist to our palm and bowing. Jazmin introduced us to
graceful, measured, fluid moves with exotic names coupled with controlled
breathing as a warm-up. These slow movements seemed effortless and benign.
However, this was just the beginning of a
session designed to bring out the more physical instincts
in our usually mild- mannered ladies. We were paired up and there was no
question of playing nicely. We were introduced to martial acts of
self-defence against our partners which, had we been more skilled, might have
led to a trail of broken limbs and life- threatening neck wounds! Fortunately, in spite of Jazmin's expert
guidance and modelling of moves, no-one was harmed in the proceedingClub
activities for March included a Craft morning on 15th March and a WI
Diners’ lunch at Isle of Purbeck Golf Club on Friday 28th March.
The Group
Meeting, for local WIs, will take place on Thursday 8th April at
Broadmayne with speaker, Colin Varndell, Wildlife Photographer. Other County
activities in the near future include:-An Archery Course in May at Gorcombe
Park, Blandford; A Science Lunch at Athelhampton House in July with Dr Zoe
Laughlin;
An outing to
Buckingham Palace in September.
Future local
events include our next meeting on Wednesday 2nd April which is our
AGM. After the serious business of the evening, including electing a new
committee, we will engage in Line Dancing a la Charleston! We encourage
everyone to arrive with a suggestion of the 1920’s- a feather or boa will do,
or, for the more adventurous, something with a flapper theme. There is no
pressure for the reluctant to engage in the dancing, spectating is completely
acceptable! Do come and join us for an entertaining evening!
Halina Simpson