Fully Alive

02/11/2026

With 1 December approaching, the anniversary of Sifu's birth, I've been reflecting on his Three Golden Rules of Practice:

Don't Worry. Don't Intellectualise. Enjoy Your Practice.

Through recent Qigong classes, explorations of breathing and conversations with students, I've been reminded how much these simple teachings continue to reveal, not only in our practice but in everyday life.

I've written a little reflection on these experiences, and on how Sifu's teachings continue to accompany me after all these years.

And I thought this photograph of Sifu enjoying one of his favourite pleasures, ice cream, was rather fitting!

A little something to read over a cuppa.

https://fully-alive.co.uk/sifus-three-golden-rules-a-reflection

28/10/2026

One of the things that continues to delight me about Qigong is how even the simplest practices keep revealing new ways of meeting and understanding life, and ourselves.

This year, I've returned to explore in greater depth the first four exercises of the 18 Lohan Hands, also known as the 8 Pieces of Brocade.

What has become increasingly apparent is how these exercises prepare us not only for meditation, cultivating energy and spiritual practice, but also for meeting the demands of everyday life.

And there is so much more to discover in what might initially appear to be very simple movements.

Living up in the Highlands of Scotland, I haven't visited London very often in recent years. But as many of my students live in and around London, I thought it was about time I made the journey south!

So, on Saturday 14th November, I'll be holding a day of Shaolin Cosmos Qigong in London, from 10 am to 4 pm.

It will be a lovely opportunity to meet up with familiar faces, welcome some new ones, and spend the day exploring the beauty and practical applications of these wonderful Shaolin Arts.

Our venue is now confirmed, and with 9 of the 15 places already booked, there are just 6 places remaining**.

If you'd like to join us, I'd encourage you to book soon rather than leave it until the last minute.

You can find all the details here:

https://fully-alive.co.uk/london-shaolin-cosmos-qigong/

I hope to see you there!

Tim

27/10/2026

**From Porridge to Practice: The Goldilocks Experience** 🐻

We all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

But what might this familiar childhood tale have to tell us about the way we experience life?

I've had some fun revisiting Goldilocks through the eyes of Qigong, Unholding and Life as Practice. And along the way, I've discovered there's rather more to a bowl of porridge than I first imagined!

This one's a little different from my usual posts. It's a story, and a longer read.

So perhaps make yourself a cuppa, find a comfortable chair (preferably one that won't break!) and settle in.

I hope you enjoy the journey.

Read the story here:

From Porridge to Practice The Goldilocks Experience You probably know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A little girl wanders into a house in the woods, discovers three bowls of porridge, three chairs and three beds, and sets about finding which ones suit her best. Too hot. Too cold. Too....

22/10/2026

London Qigong Workshop | Cultivating Energy & Awareness

Have you ever noticed just how much energy it takes to get through the day?

You sleep, hoping to wake feeling refreshed, but life's demands seem to drain what little energy you have left to give.

Many years ago, I met a Shaolin Grandmaster who seemed to embody the very opposite of this.

My Sifu, Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, possessed extraordinary internal strength and energy, yet what impressed me most was the joy he radiated. He was remarkably relaxed, peaceful and present.

I dedicated myself to learning and practising what he taught, and over the past 25 years, I've continued to explore what he encouraged us to discover for ourselves.
And something interesting has emerged.

The very exercises he taught us at the beginning contained far more than I first realised. Beyond cultivating energy, they offered qualities that could shape how we meet everyday life.

To open rather than close. To focus rather than become distracted. To integrate rather than separate. And to recognise when it's time to reset and return to ourselves.

Sifu often encouraged us to embody our art.

Perhaps that is where the deeper exploration begins. Not simply practising Qigong for a little while each day, but discovering how its qualities can become part of the way we live.

On Saturday 14 November, I'll be sharing this exploration in London.

Through traditional Shaolin Cosmos Qigong exercises, energy cultivation and Qi Flow, we'll explore both the practice itself and what it might reveal about how we use our energy and awareness in everyday life.

Whether you're completely new to Qigong or have practised for years, you're warmly welcome.

Saturday 14 November | 10 am–4 pm
Maria Fidelis Catholic School FCJ, London NW1 1LY
£150 | Only 12 places available
Find out more and book your place:
https://fully-alive.co.uk/london-shaolin-cosmos-qigong/

Tim

20/10/2026

What brings a movement alive?

In last night's Shaolin Arts class, we explored the different qualities of Dragon, Snake and Tiger.

Each has its own character, intention and way of expressing energy.

But here's the interesting thing. We can learn to copy the movements without necessarily experiencing the qualities they express.

As one student beautifully described it, there is an “intention within form.”

What happens when we stop trying so hard to get the movement right and begin to explore what it feels like to embody it?

Sometimes the difference isn't in what we do, but in how we are while doing it.

A lovely exploration of internal force, awareness and embodiment.

13/10/2026

Staying Relaxed When Life Gets Demanding
When we face something challenging, we often begin to tighten, sometimes before we've even started.
During a recent Qigong class, we explored this through Green Dragon Presents Claws, one of the 18 Lohan Hands.
Can we remain relaxed while still being strong, active and fully engaged?
And what might this teach us about meeting the demands of everyday life?
I've written a short reflection on how Qigong can help us recognise unnecessary effort and discover a different relationship with difficulty.

Read more: https://fully-alive.co.uk/staying-relaxed-when-life-gets-demanding/

11/10/2026

**Qigong at the Dome, Tain**

I'm really pleased to be bringing my weekly Shaolin Cosmos Qigong classes to the beautiful dome at Grow For You in Tain.

Shaolin Cosmos Qigong is a traditional Chinese energy art, known for its emphasis on relaxation, energy flow and developing Qigong skills, rather than simply learning and performing a series of movements.

Qigong is often associated with gentle movement, relaxation and wellbeing, and these are certainly good reasons to begin.

But there's also much more to discover.

In our classes, we explore simple movements, stillness and awareness, developing skills that we can bring into everyday life.

We might notice how much unnecessary effort we're using, discover what happens when we soften a little, or find that something changes simply because we've become aware of it.

You don't need to remember complicated routines or get everything right. The movements are accessible to complete beginners, while offering plenty of depth for those who have been practising for years.

We now have a lovely new space to explore all of this together.

Thursdays, 10.30–11.30 am
Grow For You Dome, Morangie Road, Tain

£15 per class, or £50 per month.

Book individual classes here:
https://fully-alive.co.uk/product/tain-qigong-thursday-weekly-class/

If you'd prefer the monthly option, please get in touch to arrange payment by bank transfer.

You're very welcome to join us.

Tim