Hello Tai Chi’ers!

We are so happy to announce the full schedule for our upcoming workshop series with Doug and Yvonne Waines, happening October 1, 2, and 3.

A workshop is such a valuable opportunity to observe, ask questions, and deepen your Tai Chi practice by learning from the experiences and expertise of others. Doug and Yvonne, Lead Instructors with the Wine Country Tai Chi Society in West Kelowna, BC, have been teaching for more than 30 years. Each brings a unique perspective and skill set to help students grow.

About Yvonne
Yvonne has developed a comprehensive seated form series, drawing on expertise in supporting those with Diabetes, Stroke, Parkinson’s, Arthritis, and Dementia. She has even taught Tai Chi to the blind. Her gentle and accessible approach uses simple, effective exercises to open the body, which she then connects back to the Tai Chi and Sabre sets.

About Doug
Doug has devoted his practice to carefully studying the movements of the masters before him. He has trained closely with instructors like Boon Loh, Kevin Weir, and Doug Nettleton—students of Master Moy Lin Shin, the founder of the form we follow. With precision and insight, Doug explores how Tai Chi transforms structure, mood, and organ function.

Together, they will guide us through explorations of Tai Chi, Sabre, and Lok Hup, with a blend of seated and standing forms.

Workshop Schedule

Tuesday, Oct 1 – Inverness Manor Music Room – 9:00 am–12:00 pm

• Yvonne introduces her seated form explorations.
• Doug guides us through the standing form of Tai Chi.
• We’ll enjoy tea together and head to the Dancing Goat afterward for lunch.

Wednesday, Oct 2 – Creignish Community Hall – 2:00–5:00 pm

• Yvonne explores seated Sabre and Tai Chi.
• Doug continues with the standing form and Sabre nuances.
• Tea break provided.
• Note: No CORAH class at 6:00 pm this day.

Thursday, Oct 3 – Hillsborough/Glendyer Hall (Mabou) – 10:00 am–2:00 pm

• Yvonne begins with seated exercises.
• Doug leads deeper explorations into Lok Hup and movement patterns.
• We’ll begin with tea, take a lunch break together (please bring a bag lunch), and allow time for questions and community sharing.

Cost

Workshops are by donation so that everyone can participate. Suggested amounts to help cover expenses are:

• $100 for all three days
• $35 for Wednesday or Thursday
• $50 for Friday

Please contribute what you can—there will be a donation box at each location.

This is a wonderful chance to expand your Tai Chi practice in a concentrated setting. Whether you’re new, returning, or practicing with another group, you are welcome—every level of experience benefits from learning together.

We look forward to a week of fun, connection, and Tai Chi growth.
Thank you for being a part of Tai Chi Cape Breton!

The post Tai Chi Cape Breton Workshop Oct 1-3 first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

When we think of healing, we often look to what hurts—our joints, our energy levels, or perhaps a condition that has been slowly wearing us down. But what if we began from the inside out, activating the natural systems already designed to help us regenerate?

In this solo episode of the Be Well Podcast, I invite you into the world of Tai Chi—not just as a movement practice, but as a dynamic healing art that connects breath, intention, and movement to awaken the body’s deepest wisdom.

The Spiral Effect: Moving From the Bones Outward

Tai Chi is rooted in spiral energy. Every turn of the wrist, rotation of the spine, or shift of the hip reflects nature’s most efficient movement pattern—the spiral. These spiral actions stimulate the body at a cellular level, improving the strength and density of our bones, while also encouraging the natural washing and regeneration of bone marrow.

Bone marrow washing refers to the activation of the body’s internal systems—such as enzyme activity and immune function—by encouraging deeper circulation and the movement of vital life force (Qi). This subtle inner process has been known in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, and now modern science is catching up to the wisdom encoded in these ancient movements.

Weight Shifting and the Pump of Life

One of the most powerful aspects of Tai Chi is the way it shifts weight from foot to foot. This isn’t just for balance or grace—it’s part of a sophisticated physiological response.

When we press into the foot, we activate a pumping action that moves blood and lymph from the lower body back toward the heart and vital organs. This gentle but consistent pumping supports detoxification, boosts immune health, and relieves pressure in the joints.

We also activate the grounding, centering, gravity, balance, and stability reflexes through the feet. Our vestibular system is motivated from the ground up.

These activations are especially important for those who are seated for much of the day, recovering from illness or injury, or exploring Tai Chi in a seated form. Even small shifts in posture or spiral rotations of the limbs can generate profound internal benefits.

Breath, Belonging, and Letting Go

We begin each practice by coming home to our breath—creating space in the lungs, slowing the nervous system, and reminding the body it is safe to heal. With intention, we enter each movement not trying to fix or force, but to allow flow.

Lucky Dragon tea was my companion for this episode, offering the affirmation:
“Create a clear vision for outcome and then let go of your expectations. The journey is the reward.”

This simple message mirrors the essence of Tai Chi. We do not need to know the root of our imbalance or illness; we only need to move with openness, curiosity, and trust. In doing so, the body reveals its own intelligence. We let go of expectation—and healing begins.

My Passion for Tai Chi: Movement as Medicine

For over 30 years, I’ve explored Tai Chi in its many forms—standing, seated, sabre, and Lok Hup. My background in dance first led me to study the power of movement, but it was Tai Chi that showed me how every gentle shift, breath, and spiral could create wholeness in the body.

I’ve “geeked out” for decades about how movement affects the fascia, lymphatic system, circulation, the biofield, and more. And today, I share that journey with you—because healing isn’t something we chase, it’s something we awaken.

Take the Next Step

I invite you to pour a cup of tea, find a quiet space, and listen to the episode. Feel your feet on the ground, your breath moving through your body, and let Tai Chi guide you to balance—bone-deep and heart-centered.

Listen to the Episode Here

Want to explore more about seated forms, sabre, or Lucky Dragon tea? Visit greenwellcenter.com or check out my YouTube channel for free resources and tutorials.

Sign up for our August ‘Nature’s Resonance’ online Tai Chi class with intuitive musician Colin MacLeod. The class is ON SALE for a reduced price until July 31st!

For in-person classes you can check out the calendar for Tai Chi Cape Breton and visit Wine Country Tai Chi Society for the West Kelowna, British Columbia classes.

Are you looking for the perfect tea blend? Be sure to check out our great selection in the shop. Lucky Dragon is a popular blend for us, as well as Nova Scotia Harvest, plus many more green teas, black, herbal, and honeybush. If you have been thinking about discovering the power of tea for a wellness plan, we have you covered!

#TaiChiHealing #BoneMarrowWashing #LuckyDragonTea #TaiChiForLife #CirculationSupport #MovementAsMedicine #SpiralHealing #GreenwellCenter #EnergeticWellness #SeatedTaiChi #LokHup #HolisticHealth

As a gift for reading right to the bottom, check out this Magnifying Peace Project Video I shared with Tai Chi as the background.

You can watch the full 108 Tai Chi set in the woods, here, and enjoy the meditation that happens even when you are watching. Be sure to sign up for an in-person or online class today, and get started on a magnified wellness journey with the power of intentional movement for wellbeing.

The post Tai Chi, Spirals, and Bone-Deep Healing: A Journey from the Inside Out first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.

At Tai Chi Cape Breton we have your wellness journey in mind. We are starting a beginner class at the Hillsborough-Glendyer Hall on Monday at 9 am with a continuing class starting at 10 am. We would love for you to come out and begin learning how Tai Chi can help you with back pain, low energy, sleep challenges, stiff joints, foot pain, knee alignment, shoulder challenges, concentration, digestion and more…

How can you find out more about the classes?

To learn more about the Tai Chi Wellness classes, please visit the landing page on our website. Looking for resources to support your practice at home between classes? Check out our extensive YouTube playlist.

How can you sign up?

Your membership with the club provides you with access to classes across Inverness County. Although all classes are not beginner classes, you will quickly discover that everyone works at their own pace and ability, and that there is so much rich learning with each class, you want to know more and to grow more with Tai Chi.

The cost is $65 to be a member of Tai Chi Cape Breton. Those starting with the Hillsborough class will be covered with their fees until the second week of October. We endeavor to collect fees every 4 months, and members already attending will be renewing for September to December. Registration and payments can be sent as an etransfer to info@greenwellcenter.com, or it can be cash at the door. Members are welcome to attend as many classes as they like through the week. For those joining us in Hillsborough, this leads to 33 classes across the three months.

Tai Chi Outdoors is Fantastic!

Pictured below is our group celebrating World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day in 2023 at the Whycocomagh waterfront at the end of April. Qi Destinations are a great part of the program and we usually add these extra events towards the end of the summer. Stay tuned for that great fun!

The post Beginner Tai Chi in Inverness County first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.