The Dao De Jing: The Way, and how to walk it
Many people sense that something is missing in their lives, even if they cannot name it. Through Dao/Tao practice and the cultivation of virtue, you learn to live with less effort and more balance. You begin to work with your natural energy rather than against it, allowing life to become calmer, healthier, and more stable. Dao is an exciting philosophy and life practice. It is not a religion – it is a culture, a way of living based on the science of nature.
China trip 2026
The key points in this article are: 1. A party of students from Sea Cloud Hall recently visited Taoist and wushu experts in China 2. On these trips we learn from masters in a wide range of disciplines. What students take home from the experience is profound 3. On this trip, much of the learning was about how we can follow a lifestyle that encourages long-term health benefits
Five reasons to start tai chi
The key points in this article are: Ancient traditions are dying out all over the world. Ancient traditions and arts are only authentic if they remain true to their rootsbut are able to survive in the modern world. We know the Lee Family Taoist Arts are authentic because of the way our teachers are trained to transmit the authentic feelings that the Arts require.
The Benefits of Morning Training
The key points in this article are: The Taoist day starts before dawn. Modern science recognises the importance of sustained morning training, something the Taoists have known for millennia. At Sea Cloud Hall, we offer safe, structured morning classes which are a joy to be a part of.
Our Grand Opening
Sea Cloud Hall was officially opened in April 2026 as a European centre for Taoist learning and practice. Sea Cloud Hall is the first such place to be recognised by the Chinese Taoist authorities and the Chinese government. Over the Easter weekend, Sea Cloud Hall marked its official opening with a huge gathering of the community and many distinguished guests being invited.
Practice Matters
Taoist training requires both theory and practice. They support and reinforce each other. Practice must become a daily activity for the student. The benefits of daily practice are immeasurable. Most people know the saying “ A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” It reminds us that that a worthwhile journey cannot be rushed. Instead, it unfolds naturally, step by step, becoming over time something steady and supportive in our lives.
The Miracle of Miracles
The key points in this article are: Our Grandmaster, Laoba Desmond Murray, underwent an assessment in 2003 by the Zhejiang Chinese Wushu Association. Following his assessment, the Zhejiang, Weihai, and Shandong Associations, and the White Cloud Temple in Beijing, all recognised the Lee (Li) Family Taoist Arts as an authentic whole body breathing system and that Desmond Murray is the inheritor and part of an unbroken chain.
The benefits of Lee Family Taoist tai chi on insomnia
The key points in this article are: Insomnia affects one in three adults in the UK, usually those who are older or suffering from other health conditions. Practicing Lee Family tai chi allows people to learn the focus and control necessary to engender healthy sleep. Tai chi should also be practiced with other lifestyle habits, notably a regular bed routine and a healthy diet.
An introduction to Taoism and the mind-body-spirit
This article is an abridged summary of a presentation by Laoba Desmond Murray and Laoma Wai-Yii Yeung to the Leeds University Confucian Society given on Tuesday 28 October 2025(1). The key points in this article are: Tao is a word that we use to describe the force that guides the universe Tao practice is learning to soften and strengthen the body and mind Taoism is a culture that studies the forces that hold the universe together Being Taoist means learning to follow nature
Visit by Sea Cloud Students to the International Traditional Chinese Culture Exchange Festival in Belfast
The key points in this article are: In October, students from Sea Cloud Hall took part in a Chinese cultural exchange in Belfast The event was hosted by the Irish Wushu Association under the Presidency of Grandmaster Zhu Changhai, a frequent visitor to Sea Cloud Hall The event allowed Sea Cloud students to demonstrate the Lee Family Taoist Arts and learn from other practitioners based across the UK and Ireland
Our history: The International Taoist Society, Chee Soo, and Sea Cloud Hall
1. The Lee Family Taoist Arts date back over 3,000 years 2. The unbroken line of inheritance of the Lee Family Taoist Arts is held by Laoba Desmond Murray at Sea Cloud Hall, Kirkstall 3. The International Taoist Society (ITS) is an established UK charity (number 1191720) aiming to promote Taoism. It runs classes and courses at Sea Cloud Hall in Kirkstall, Leeds 4. Sea Cloud Hall enjoys a strong connection to Taoist centers in China, notably the White Cloud Temple in Beijing
Taoist Breathwork: Calming the Mind, Strengthening the Body
The key points in this article are: Breathwork (daoyin) is an integral part of Taoist practice Breathwork helps regulate stress hormones and has other health benefits Breathwork is a learnable skill. A simple exercise can be shown to control stress
Weihai Evening News Article about Lishi (1 of 8)
There is a Chinese system of traditional Wu Shu that has been growing in Europe and America for close to a century. Li Family Traditional…
Can Tai Chi Cure Depression?
Stress, anxiety, low confidence and depression are all common reasons why people turn to Tai Chi as a natural anti-depressant to help boost their mood….
Leeds Daoist Podcast
On this page you can watch the podcast or listen to the podcast or read the transcript of the podcast SHOW NOTES 1 min 20…
Lishi Adventure
Lishi is more than just exercise. It is a first step on a journey that takes people into a much deeper understanding of who they…
Best Exercise for People in their twenties
We asked two experts at the ancient practise of Tai Chi and this is what they said…. The first person we asked was Abbott Zhao…
Combining your Lishi practice with being a parent
Combining your Lishi practice with being a parent You used to wake up at 6am each morning to practice your forms and improve your own…
5 Tips for Surviving the Winter
5 Tips for Surviving the Winter This year as soon as 1st November arrived – there was a change in the season brrrrr! It was…
Lishi In Dance – November 2015
In November and December 2015 Lishi in Dance was invited to teach in California and Hawaii to various dance groups. Here’s a taste of what…
Tai Chi Stick and Kung Fu Staff
Lishi is a system that was developed for the physical, spiritual and personal growth of it’s practitioners. It is thousands of years old and was…
Lishi Leeds Spring Newsletter April 2016
Lishi Leeds Newsletter Spring into Action : May 2016 CONTENTS Lishi and the seasons Leeds Uni Lishi Featured on TV Hollywood is Coming to Lishi Classes…
Plantified Vegan Recipe Site
I recently discovered a fab site where people are sharing lots of incredibly tasty vegan recipes. The site is called plantified and is the brainchild of Katrina…
Lishi Wai-Yii on MadeinLeedsTV
Did you miss the recent Made in Leeds Tv show known as “The Book It List”? It’s on freeview Channel 7 and it featured our…
Spring Vegetables with Tofu and noodles
Spring Vegetables with Tofu and Noodles Serves 1 Ingredients 3 bunched carrots 2 spring onions 1 clove of garlic 1cm root ginger 3 large Chard…
Chang Ming Guide
The Chang Ming diet goes hand in hand with the Lishi practice. So here are 5 basic steps to help you follow the Recipes Search…
Qigong
What is Qigong? Qi (pronounced Chee) means energy or focused intent. Gong means to do work. Qigong is an ancient Chinese system of exercise that…
Why Warmup
WARM UP Often people turn up 10-15 minutes late for the class. However during this time they’ve missed an essential section of the Lishi class…
Ten Lishi Wisdoms on how to be happy and healthy for 2016
1. Take your time, when going about your daily life; don’t hurry. Remember “Wait, wait, wait and let the energy move you” 2. Don’t think…
Recipe: Steamed Greens and Carrots with a Tahini and Miso Sauce
This currently has my number one spot for favourite meals. At the moment I am 30 weeks pregnant and I my body craves Cabbage and…
How To Make Organic Moisturiser Cream
I was looking in boots and local pharmacies for a natural and gentle moisturiser. Much of what I found was petro-chemical based or made from…
5 Non-Dairy Sources of Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral for the good health of the body, teeth and bones. I am sick of being told that the only source…
10 reasons to breathe deeply
The human body is designed to take in 75% of its energy requirement through breathing; oxygen is the most fundamental unit of fuel that we…
Exam Stress Tai Chi
Let’s face it—being a student is stressful. You not only need to prepare for each class you take, you also have to take care of…
Daoist Diet
A massive collaboration between Cornell University, Oxford University and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, the China Study is the most comprehensive study of diet,…
Newsletter001
E-News July 2015 Strength of Character Abbot Zhao from the White Cloud Temple in Beijing has long been a friend of Lishi and on…
