Autumn Equinox - Moving with the Trees: a walk with easy Tai Chi

The mind-body movement system of Tai Chi is made up of natural moves and principles that people find inspiring and easy to connect with. We will be led by expert Angus Clark, founder of .

The in-built relaxation, alignment and awareness of tai chi, creates an easily accessible and uplifting approach to wellbeing. Because it’s a system of natural movement, based on rhythm and cycles, it offers a perfect way of tuning in to the natural rhythms and cycles of nature and the planet, so easily forgotten and so helpful to remember.

We all know now how time spent in Nature is really good for us so putting tai chi and the natural world together creates a fabulous win-win for wellbeing!

During this event we will be celebrating the Autumn Equinox: a time of balance and movement from the outward energy of the summer to the reflective inner energy of the coming winter. We will contemplate the balance of life and the necessity of cycles, change and transformation, drawing from the wisdom of trees and the rhythmic movement of tai chi.

We will use a few simple tai chi moves to immerse ourselves in the beauty of Ashclyst Forest, the feeling of energy in our bodies and that of the life all around us. We will walk, then pause, walk then pause, using the tai chi to tune in. As well as this, we can observe, talk about and learn about the trees, plants and wildlife that we encounter with the Saving Devon's Treescapes project team.

All in all the Chi Walks will make for a rich and rewarding experience that will not only bring you closer to and appreciate Ashclyst Forest and it's sylvan residents, but other wild places you may visit, Devon’s treescapes and the Natural World as a whole.

** You are most welcome to join whether you have experience of tai chi or not. **

Special thanks to the National Trust for allowing us to use this amazing site for the tai chi session.

About Angus

Angus Clark has over 40 years experience in learning and teaching Tai Chi. He has identified its core principles and processes, which he shares with people from all walks of life with Living Movement Tai Chi Essence. Angus is an honorary president of the Tai Chi and Qigong Union of Great Britain. Angus is Dartmoor based, is a life-long nature supporter and enthusiast and has a degree in Environmental Science.

Angus’s website can be found here www.livingmovement.com

About Ashclyst Forest

Ashclsyt Forest is one of the largest woods in East Devon and is part of the larger Killerton Estate, owned and managed by the . It is managed commercially and for wildlife and is a haven for many butterflies and birds.

Ashclyst is a large woodland, but the area we will be exploring is mostly flat, with some gentle inclines on a fairly even surfaced path.

This event is organised by Saving Devon's Treescapes, a project led by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. Saving Devon’s Treescapes is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project aims to strengthen Devon's treescapes in the face of ash dieback disease. The project is working with Devon's communities, landowners and businesses to plant and nurture 250,000 trees outside of woodlands across Devon.

This project is also generously funded by One Tree Planted and other funders.

Host or Publisher Devon Wildlife Trust