Kia Ora Tai Chi

20/06/2026

Exciting news! There will be two FREE opportunities to learn tai chi with me on Sat 27 June. One will be at 11am, at a special event in Mangere for Matariki Ora (wellbeing during Matariki). I'll teach a series of breathing movements called Hikitia te Hā. The translation is "Uplifting Breathing" and it is like qigong. Refer to the poster below. All welcome.

At the second FREE event on Sat 27th, 1:45 - 2:30pm, at Manurewa Library, I will teach tai chi and qigong for beginners. All welcome. More info on the session at Manurewa is in this link: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/free-tai-chi/

15/06/2026

Free tai chi and qigong, two Saturday afternoons, 27 June and 25 July, 1:45 - 2:30pm, in the Manurewa Library. Find out more: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/free-tai-chi/

Fun, family-friendly and ideal for beginners. Anyone can attend, whether you live in Manurewa or not.

Open to all ages, but tamariki (children) under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult.

31/05/2026

Here's something both restful and refreshing to lighten a dull day. A fun video: Cat Qigong (Chi Kung). Video made by: Migas - Slow AI Tales.

Note: The YouTube providers might insert an annoying advertisement at the start of this video. Just click on "SKIP" as you as you've given the chance to do so.

Experience a moment of relaxing mindfulness - in this cinematic AI Story where a community of needle-felted cats practices the ancient art of qigong. This slow-paced journey follows the fuzzy kittens from their soft wool village to a morning of rhythmic breathing and fluid movements led by a wise instructor.

Perfect for fans of tai chi, qigong, miniature art, felting, cat lovers, and anyone seeking a visual meditation.

Experience a moment of relaxing mindfulness - in this cinematic AI Story where a community of needle-felted cats practices the ancient art of Chi Kung (QiGon...

26/05/2026

Free tai chi in Manurewa – stay warm and active over winter 2026. https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/free-tai-chi/

Starting on Saturday afternoon, 27 June, 1:45 – 2.30pm, in the Manurewa Library, these free tai chi sessions will be on the last Saturday of the months of June, July, (not August) and September 2026.

Fun, family-friendly and ideal for beginners. Anyone can attend, whether you live in Manurewa or not.

Open to all ages, but tamariki (children) under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult.

21/05/2026

A very happy, joyous SpinPoi session today with the seniors from Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust. I love teaching this group and also supporting seniors in my Manurewa community to improve their strength and balance. It's fun, too.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

17/05/2026

What a truly special retreat yesterday to explore Cosmic 5-Element Qigong and learn how to “Ground the Gallop” in the Year of the Fire Horse (in 2026).

Throughout the day, participants learned tailored qigong movements to harness the fiery energy and harmonise it with the cooling, calming qualities of Water and the grounding, stabilising support of Earth.

This retreat was about far more than learning the movements. I designed it to also be experiential, reflective and transformational.

There was something magical about moving between Yin and Yang through nature journaling — from the golden, sunlit open lawns to the cool stillness and shadows of the bush.

We explored nourishment and wellbeing through fragrant Indian spices with guest speaker Anju Desai. With the magic blend of Fire, Earth and Water, we made masala chai together. After some of the more vigorous qigong sessions, the shared conversations during the chai making and sipping gave us time and space to slow down and reconnect.

The warm autumn sunshine at the Auckland Botanic Gardens seemed to wrap the entire retreat in a gentle glow.

The group that gathered could not have been more perfect — open-hearted, engaged, thoughtful and willing to embrace each experience.

Yes, it was a great deal of work to prepare and facilitate, but days like this remind me exactly why I love creating these retreats.

I am full of gratitude today after reading the kind and thoughtful evaluative comments from everyone.

There are too many lovely comments to include, but this one captures the overall feeling:
“Jocelyn is an excellent facilitator. Very informative retreat with lots of handouts, extra treats and great discussions, too.”

Thank you, everyone, for your supportive participation in this retreat.

12/05/2026

One final place has become available for a 1-day qigong retreat, this Saturday 16 May, at the Auckland Botanic Gardens. Beginners are welcome. Contact me to reserve this last spot: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/contact-us/

This retreat is a unique opportunity to slow down, breathe deeply, and explore the fascinating world of Cosmic 5-Element Qigong. In a Fire Horse year (like 2026), many can feel overstimulated, stressed, emotionally “wired”, or depleted. Through gentle qigong, mindful breathing, and sensory experiences like the making and tasting of Masala Chai, you'll learn how to reduce stress and to feel refreshed so you can ride through the rest of the year with ease and purpose.

This will be a nourishing day for body, mind, and spirit — with practical wellbeing tools to take home too.

If you feel drawn to this, perhaps this last place is meant for you? Find out more about this remarkable retreat: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/retreats/

30/04/2026

Tai chi and Cornwall Park – the perfect combination. The team from the park have written a great article about the extraordinary number of participants for my tai chi sessions in the park. https://cornwallpark.co.nz/whats-on/tai-chi-in-the-park-this-summer-has-been-extraordinary Thank you to my co-instructors, Barry and Pauline, and to all of my wonderful participants who keep coming back for more. It's looking really positive for more tai chi sessions the summer of 2027.

24/04/2026

Really fun tai chi session today with this keen group of seniors at Manurewa's Manu Tukutuku Centre.

20/04/2026

“Rain, rain, go away; come again another day…”
That old nursery rhyme circled through my mind today. I felt cooped up and out-of-sorts. I had such a longing to get outside, to stretch my legs, to feel the earth beneath my feet and hands. Fortunately, I was able to dodge the deluge so I could gather materials for earth art.

The rain has been relentless - the water element in full force. In the philosophy of the elements, when one energy becomes too dominant, others can be invited in to restore balance.

Inspired by the elements, I created the warmth of the sun — the fire element — to dry and gently warm. I placed green leaves to represent the earth — steady, grounding — and symbolising how the earth and trees work to absorb excess water.

I used dried white leaves to represent the water element — the closest colour I could find in nature today. However, I spied a small blue label washed up on the beach. Not perfect, but somehow just right enough.

Together, these colours and elements move in a circular dance… fire transforming, earth holding, both working together to support the flow of water back into harmony.

My thoughts are with all who have lost lives, homes, and livelihoods from the devasting rain and flooding.