Before you start

The last time I visited and stayed with my late teacher John Kells in 2012 for four days of hard work he showed me a simple exercise.

He said his teacher Dr Chi showed it to him. Simply, before you start your Form or partner work, stand naturally and close your right hand gently around your left thumb. The fingers of the left hand rest naturally on the outside of the right fingers.

Just stand quietly like this for a few minutes, letting thoughts come and go, breathing naturally through the nose.

For me this exercise sets the scene for my practise.