Monthly Archives: March 2016
Growing achievement for Lishi classes in Headingley.
Photo courtesy of Wai-Yii Yeung
AN EXERCISE programme from China based on the philosophy of Yin and Yang has been introduced in Headingley.
The classes at St. Augustine’s Wrangthorn Church Hall in Headingley as well as Leeds University has gained a lot of success.
Lishi combines the very best from Tai Chi, Cardio Kung Fu, Self Defence and Daoist Yoga.
It has been practised for thousands of years and is still around today because of its relevance to the challenges of modern life:
Wai-Yii Yeung, the leader of the Lishi classes said: “I started Lishi when I was a student at the University of Leeds and I got so much from the classes that I wanted to make sure that other students could learn these arts and benefit from the exercises and philosophy.
I teach classes at Wrangthorn Church Hall as well as at the University and all my students agree that it helps them concentrate, de-stress and boost their energy.
“Part of the programme of self-development includes not only learning the exercises but eventually learning how to teach and lead.
“As I developed these skills I found that I really enjoyed sharing this ancient knowledge and starting classes in the area was a natural next step. I love it.”
Lishi classes have been going on throughout the UK and abroad, but it has been kept secret for a long time compared with other Tai Chi or Self Defence arts.
Wai-Yii added: “I hope that as more people experience the benefits they will tell others and Lishi will start to grow in popularity through word of mouth.
“I love teaching these arts but more than that I love it when people tell me how much the classes have had a positive impact on their life and time at university.”
Find out more about Wai-Yii and her classes:
Leeds Beckett University Headingley Campus and Leeds University collaborate for the African Voices project.
Credit to Gettyimages/iconeer
THIS MONTH will see African post-graduates visit primary schools to educate pupils about the positive image of Africa as part of the African Voices project.
Six students from Leeds Beckett University and the Headingley campus as well as six students from Leeds University have joined forces in this project in the hope to raise more awareness after going to schools.
Will Atkinson, 26, is the Collaborative Outreach Coordinator and leader of the Leeds Beckett side of the project at Headingley Campus and he said the project aims to change young peoples’ stereotypes of Africa based of what you see on charity adverts:
He added: ” It’s meant to be about trying to challenge stereotypes of Africa.
“So lots of people think that Africa is all poor, with no development where kids are starving and the main aspect of this project is that our students will go and challenge those stereotypes.
“That they’re successful people because they are doing a Master’s and it’s about telling a different story about Africa.”
The post-graduates have been having training lessons in the run-up to this month teaching them how to work with children:
This project was originally setup by Richard Borowski, the LUCAS Schools Project coordinator at Leeds University as well as Becky Moore, owner of DesignInspireLive and has been successful for past few years:
Will added: “I think having a University and a community like Headingley is a really wonderful way of furthering cultural understanding.
“But I think often it’s difficult for international students to really become part of the community because they’re usually here for a short period of time.
“They’re not always receptive as home students to volunteering schemes and working within the local community so this is a way for our international students to get to know Leeds, the British education system and enrich their experience of studying in Leeds aswell.
“They’re not just here being students, they’re also here being a part of the community.”
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