Arriving at the airport in Cork to fly to Preston ’09 and I am reminded of a vital Tai Chi concept. “Your bags are too heavy sir; you will have to pay €135.”

“Less is more”, Sifu Ding will encourage us repeatedly during the week to come.  “…help each other and share …” this concept saves me €135 as my baggage is divided out and carried by those who have space.

Getting the bus from Stanstead to the retreat and old friendships are renewed as we test out our two German sentences and already there is a feeling of everything coming together in unity. We have a while to go however before our form reflects this concept of TUN, which is central to the week ahead. A car cuts across us at a roundabout and the driver deflects our ten thousand pound bus with a few ounces of pressure at the wheel, swerving us to safety.

We arrive and an evening training session is arranged to start the retreat on Saturday night, setting the tone for making the most of our time here in Preston. Sifu Ding reminds us that a large effort is required to generate a small amount of chi, but to remember this small amount of chi can have a big effect!

That night I feel I have mastered the concepts of sinking and linking, yet only onto the mattress! As I drift off contemplating the week to come; the early Chi Kung, good food, the essential power naps and the softening required to feel more like a pipe cleaner and less like a statue. I think it all sounds rather simple.

“Simple” I hear Sifu say “but not easy” and I fall asleep.