Tai Chi & Qigong Surrey

12/10/2025

Dates for your diary for the remainder of 2025.

Please contact Nicci on twgwithnicci@gmail.com if you'd like to join any of these events

12/10/2025

Announcing our annual practice day - open to all.

Come along for a joyful and relaxed day in which you can sample tai chi, qigong, meditation and a sound bath.

All profits go to charity in memory of my teacher, Paul Brewer from HeavenMountain Taijiquan

RSVP to Nicci on twgwithnicci@gmail.com if you'd like to come along or have questions.

06/10/2025

Autumn is the time of metal in Chinese Medicine. It's about differentiating between what is valuable and what can be put down or let go of.

I love this Winnie the Pooh post which talks about exactly this concept.

Well worth a read and some reflection.

“Pooh,” said Piglet softly, “how do you know when it’s time to step away from things that make you sad?”
Pooh thought about this very carefully, because it was a question that touched both the heart and the tummy, and those were the most important sorts of questions. “Well, Piglet,” he said, “sometimes you notice that certain places or certain thoughts feel too heavy, like carrying too many honey pots all at once. And then you remember—it’s all right to set some of them down.”
Piglet tilted his head. “But isn’t that leaving things behind?”
Pooh shook his head gently. “Not leaving, Piglet. Just choosing. Choosing to keep what makes you warm inside and putting down what makes your paws ache. Because even in the Hundred Acre Wood, not every path is meant for every day. Some paths lead to sunshine, and some only to thistles.”
Piglet gave a little sigh of relief. “So self-care is knowing which path to walk?”
“Exactly,” said Pooh. “It’s remembering that it’s not selfish to take care of your heart. Because when your heart is lighter, you have more to share with the friends who need you most.”
And with that, Pooh leaned back against the log, flower in hand, tea steaming beside him, and decided that the best kind of strength wasn’t carrying everything, but knowing when to carry less.

02/10/2025

Perhaps you are wondering why I am posting this here...

Tai chi and qigong are more than just physical practices. They are an opening into exploring your nature as a being stood between heaven and earth (the Chinese term for this is tian-ren-di - literally, heaven-man-earth).

By becoming aware of our nature we see possibilities to shape how we are in the world.

For me, I recognised that I wanted to work to support the health, wellbeing and happiness of my community. That's why I trained as an acupuncturist and tai chi and qigong teacher. This brings me fulfilment and joy.

What is your true nature?

What brings you fulfilment and joy?

Want to know more? Get in touch with Nicci at twgwithnicci@gmail.com.

02/10/2025

You get a bit of both at Tai Chi & Qigong Surrey but definitely rooted more in the Original Traditional Tai Chi.

The benefits and goals of practicing authentic traditional Tai Chi are a little bit different from those of modern modifications.

The fundamental difference is that authentic traditional Tai Chi is rooted in martial arts with holistic goals, encompassing muscle strengthening, healing, and self-development through a combination of movement, breathing, and concentration meditation. Modern modifications focus primarily on more focused physical and mental health benefits, often simplified for specific age groups or conditions. Benefits of authentic Tai Chi include increased vitality and spiritual growth, while modern modifications focus more on stress reduction, improved balance, and muscle strength for seniors or those with medical conditions.

Purpose:

Authentic Traditional Tai Chi:

Develops martial arts skills, mental discipline, and overall self-development.

Achieves a perfect balance between body, mind, and spirit.

Increases vital energy (Qi) and promotes health and vitality.

Modern Modified Tai Chi:

Improves physical and mental health specifically.

Focuses on benefits such as reducing stress, improving balance and flexibility in seniors, and helping with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.

Simplifying movements or tempo to make them more accessible for beginners or people with certain conditions.

Benefits:

Traditional Original Tai Chi:

Comprehensively improves balance, flexibility, and muscle strength.

Reduces stress and anxiety through deep breathing and movement meditation.

Clears the mind and improves concentration.

Manages chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Modern Modified Tai Chi:

Reduces the risk of falls in older adults by improving balance and muscle strength.

Improves heart and immune health.

Improves sleep quality and improves mood.

Improves cognitive function, especially in older adults.

Key Differences in Practice:

Traditional Original Tai Chi: Places greater emphasis on martial arts philosophy, precise movements, and in-depth traditional teachings.

Modern Modified Tai Chi: May have fewer movements, be slower, or have a different emphasis to achieve specific health outcomes, as recommended by research for specific needs.

30/09/2025

Our new flyers are looking fabulous.

These include the term dates up to April 2026 and the new prices that apply from 12 November 2025.

With thanks to Abigail Evans Photography for the pictures and to my wonderful friend Alison Duthie for agreeing to be in them with me :)

29/09/2025

Some of the group who joined our autumn 🍁 social, a lovely walk on Box Hill followed by lunch ☺️

Our classes are not only about learning exercises for health, they're also about making friendships.

28/09/2025

The secret...

22/09/2025

SPECIAL OFFER

An amazing £20 off of treatments in our new clinic in Reigate from 1-17 October plus a free gift bag!*

We are open from 9am to 9pm on Tuesdays and 9am to 7pm on Fridays. Spaces are limited so book now before they fill up.

* Regular pricing (pre discount) in the private clinic is £80 for an initial appointment and £60 for an ongoing appointment.

Contact Nicci on info@acupuncture-surrey.co.uk or check our website at www.acupuncture-surrey.co.uk

21/09/2025

Make the nervous system feel safe first.

This is what underlies a lot of what I do in both my tai chi and qigong teaching and in my acupuncture practice.

We are often conditioned to push more, try harder, "no pain, no gain". That kind of mindset leaves the nervous system feeling on edge, just waiting for the next onslaught.

Instead I focus on strengthening what is weak so that the tension we are holding (often a defensive or protective mechanism) can release on its own. To find comfort in movement rather than forcing the body to do something it doesn't want to do.

That doesn't mean doing nothing. It doesn't mean getting floppy and soft. It means listening to the body building strength where it really is needed right now - physically, emotionally and energetically.

If you'd like to know more about my tai chi or qigong classes or acupuncture treatments please get in touch.

Tai chi & qigong
Tai Chi & Qigong Surrey
twgwithnicci@gmail.com

Acupuncture
Acupuncture Surrey

Info@acupuncture-surrey.co.uk