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Contrast Therapy and Breathwork: What I Learned from the Cold Plunge

Why I took the Plunge: My first Contrast Therapy Experience If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen people lowering themselves into tubs of ice-cold water with expressions ranging from pure determination to complete disbelief. I’ll admit, I’ve often wondered what all the fuss was about. So when I had the opportunity to attend a guided contrast therapy session with Amber Speitj at The Well -Nine Yards, I decided it was time to experience it for… Read More »Contrast Therapy and Breathwork: What I Learned from the Cold Plunge

The Adventures Between the Adventures…

No great African road trip is complete without a few stories that, at the time, feel like disasters – but later become the moments everyone laughs about around the campfire. As part of our Botswana journey, we continued our daily Tai Chi practice, discovering that the calmness, patience and adaptability developed through Tai Chi were just as valuable on the rough African roads as they are in everyday life. Because the rough Botswana roads certainly kept us on our toes.… Read More »The Adventures Between the Adventures…

Botswana – A Bucket List Come True

29 June – 13 July Some journeys are measured in kilometres. Others are measured in moments. For fourteen unforgettable days, 8 friends, 2 vehicles, one camper, and one 4×4 with an off-road trailer set off from Johannesburg on an adventure through Botswana that had long been on my bucket list. This journey was made even more meaningful as it coincided with my 51st year of martial arts training – a fitting way to celebrate a lifetime of learning, discipline, and… Read More »Botswana – A Bucket List Come True

Reflections from the KwaZulu-Natal Spirit Festival 2026 | Fire Walking, Taiji & Personal Growth

Written by Leo Ming I’ve just returned from the KwaZulu-Natal Spirit Festival – my fifth year attending this inspiring and enriching gathering. The festival brings together a diverse community of practitioners, teachers, healers, and seekers, all sharing their knowledge, wisdom, and experiences in the fields of alternative healing and personal growth. It provides a unique opportunity to explore different modalities, connect with like-minded people, and gain fresh perspectives on health, wellbeing, and self-discovery. This year’s programme featured a wide range… Read More »Reflections from the KwaZulu-Natal Spirit Festival 2026 | Fire Walking, Taiji & Personal Growth

Step-by-Step Tai Chi: Cheng Man Ching Short Form Course Directory

Learn the Cheng Man Ching Short Form of Tai Chi step by step with Sifu Leo Ming. This easy-to-use course directory lists all 14 sections and their moves, so you can quickly find the video course you need to master specific sequences. Perfect for intermediate practitioners wanting to deepen their practice, refine transitions, and gain confidence – at your own pace, from home. Section 1 Moves covered in Section 1 include: >>More info about this course 1 here Section 2… Read More »Step-by-Step Tai Chi: Cheng Man Ching Short Form Course Directory

To go or to stay

An article to exploring the practice of martial arts – to go alone with independence or to stay in practice with others:

Sounds..

Flowing movements and exploring the sounds while you practice tai chi… Watch Sifu Leo demonstrating tai chi:

How Tai Chi can improve bone mineral density

NOTE FROM SIFU LEO: Dear students. This is quite a long medical research document on taiji and bone density. But areas of interest are at the end of page 9 and page 10. It is regarding one of the forms we practice at Mings Martial Arts, being:  the Beijing form or 24 step form of Tai Chi. The study “Effect of different types of Tai Chi exercise programs on the rate of change in bone mineral density in middle-aged adults… Read More »How Tai Chi can improve bone mineral density

Sifu Leo Inspires Healthcare Workers with Tai Chi Demonstration at Baragwanath Hospital

In a heart warming event (in November, 2023) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the world’s third-largest hospital situated in South Africa, Sifu Leo showcased the ancient art of Tai Chi through a mesmerizing sword demonstration. Sifu Leo, a seasoned Tai Chi master, with some of his students, brought a sense of tranquillity and grace to the hospital’s car park as they effortlessly moved through the intricate forms of Tai Chi Sword Form with precision and elegance. The demonstration not only… Read More »Sifu Leo Inspires Healthcare Workers with Tai Chi Demonstration at Baragwanath Hospital

Tai Chi protects us against dementia

We all have those forgetful moments, but what is of more concern as we age, is the deterioration of our memory and cognitive functions, as is seen in cases of dementia. Exercise is important for our vitality and longevity, and it is being found that the type of exercise doesn’t have to be intense – like a gym session, bicycle race or 10km run – for us to gain the benefits. And this is especially so for the cognitive effects… Read More »Tai Chi protects us against dementia