T'ai Chi Chu'uan with Harriet Devlin
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Harriet Devlin was born in Hong Kong and was taught T’ai Chi Chu’uan by her mother Gerda Geddes, who was the first European to teach T’ai Chi Chu’uan in Britain. Harriet later studied with Chinese masters Choy Kam Man and Da Liu in America and Taiwan and has been teaching T’ai Chi Chu’uan for over 50 years.
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Harriet teaches the 108 movement Yang Style Long Form of the T’ai Chi Chu’uan, as well as Chi Kung exercises. The understanding of ‘the Form’ has many levels- it is not just a physical exercise, or a martial art, or meditation in movement – though it is all of these. The Form itself holds many stories from Chinese mythology and history as well as being a vehicle for an appreciation of the Tao – or the Way – of Taoism. The three parts of the Form also describe an allegorical journey through life. Harriet’s classes contain all of these- with the aim of ‘Being still as a mountain and moving like a great river'
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Classes
New weekly classes will start in January. The cost for all classes is £10 per session, they are suitable for all ages and abilities. Harriet would love to meet you at:
Murrayfield Parish Church Hall
2b Ormidale Terrace
Edinburgh EH12 6EQ
Wednesday mornings
10 - 11 am Improvers 1
11 - 12 am Improvers 2
Starts 8th January 2025
£10 per class
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre
25 Palmerston Place
Edinburgh EH12 5AP
Tuesday evenings
6.30 - 7.30 pm BEGINNERS
Starts Tuesday 21st January 2025
£12 per class
Why not come along to a class to find out what it is all about, or for any other information get in touch with the contact details below.
Talks
"There is no beginning, there is no end..."
Harriet regularly puts on talks about Tai Chi and her mother's key role in bringing it to the West. She does not currently have any upcoming talks, but when the next one is organised the details will be posted here.
Shiatsu with Harriet
Harriet also teaches SHIATSU, a Japanese form of massage, better known as acupressure, after studying in America and Japan in the 1970’s. Shiatsu is practised on mats on the floor and is deeply relaxing. Participants are fully clothed, and the massage is undertaken with the thumbs, hands and elbows. A sequence of massage for the front, back, neck and head will be learned. Shiatsu is pleasant both to receive and to give. It is suitable for all ages but is not appropriate for those with chest problems or arthritis.
I am not currently running classes in Shiatsu, but hope to resume soon. If interested in an individual session don't hesitate to get in touch.
