LotusLeaf Tai Chi

Lotus Blossoms and Leaves
A monk asked Chimon, “Before the lotus blossom has emerged from the water, what is it?” Chimon said, “A lotus blossom.” The monk pursued, “After it has come out of the water, what is it?” Chimon replied, “Lotus leaves.”

Based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, LotusLeaf Tai Chi grew out of local associations to now independence. I hold various open classes around the Forest area and also private classes and one-to-one. I teach everyone from primary school children to the older members of our community and all those in-between.

The main ethic of LotusLeaf is that in order to blossom (the beautiful Lotus flower) hard work must be applied before hand (the Lotus leaves, roots, etc., producing the energy needed for that blossoming). The leaves of plants are often much forgotten for the appeal of the flower, yet without the leaves where would the flower be?

This website is a mere glimpse at Tai Chi, Chi Kung, LotusLeaf and Katie Wright. As with most things words can never fully explain the actual doing. I hope only to excite or inspire you into trying something new or looking at something old differently.

All that is written in this site was written at single points in time, when my understanding was at that certain point. Just with practicing Tai Chi things change – you may practice one way until one day something happens and it changes and you get that “Ah ha!” feeling, as if something has just slotted into place. I hope this is what will happen with this site and so it will flow and change – maybe for the better, maybe not – depending on your own viewpoint. After all everything flows until we stop it.

My name is Katie Wright and I am the main instructor with LotusLeaf Tai Chi. I started Tai Chi in 1997 while at University in Liverpool. I was taught the Yang style 24 form and various styles of walking and standing Chi Kung (Qigong). I continued my own practice then, as much as I could, until joining White Lotus Martial Arts Association in early 2005.  I undertook and NVQ level 3 in training and developement and White Lotus’s own Diploma in Martial arts instruction, both of which I have completed and passed.  I later left White Lotus to become an independent instructor.

Among other forms I teach the Yang Style Short (6), 24, 42, Sword and fan forms and the Chen Style Sword form. Within my classes we practice Qigong sets which include: Calming refreshing and revitalising Qigong, 5 Element Qigong, ShiBaShi (18 movements), Wu Qin Xi -  5 Animal Qigong, Yi Jin Jing -Tendon Stretching Qigong and Xiang Gong – Fragrant Buddha.

I have a wide range of teaching experience having taught students from Primary school age for an after school club up to more mature students, at several day centres and Lunch clubs for the elderly. I have had some really good reactions from the younger students and particularly the older members, who say that joints and necks have felt more loose and free. It is always warming when you find out that something you are passing on is helping those you are passing it to.

Most of my teaching is done in open or private clubs and classes, where ages range from teenage to 80’s. I teach a mix of Qigong and Tai Chi Forms. I also hold occasional workshops in other forms such as the Fan and Sword Forms.

I hope to start Tai chi and Qigong retreats and day courses at a most wonderful site I am lucky enough to be part guardian of, in LittleDean, Gloucestershire. These will be in the early and late summer and will range from a day to 4 days.