Tai Chi
Tai Chi Chuan (or Tai Ji Quan) is a Chinese martial art based on the principle that softness overcomes hardness. When you are loose and relaxed, you can use your whole body in a unified way. Tai Chi involves meditation on movement, simultaneously developing balance, relaxation, coordination and looseness, as well as understanding, flexibility and resilience.
Classes involve learning warm-ups, breathing exercises (qi gong), the sequence of movements generally called 'the form' and push-hands, and are suitable for adults of any age and experience.
I teach Wu Tai Chi, as taught by Sifu Eddie Wu: Wu Chien Chuan Tai Chi Chuan
One of my training colleagues has put together an interesting website with some great links to videos and forms: Wu style website
Location, Time, Cost
Location: Bents Green Methodist Church
Junction of Knowle Lane and Ringinglow Road, S11 7PU
Time:
Every Thursday
Beginners' classes run 7pm to 8pm
Ongoing learners' classes run 7.50pm to 9pm
Cost:
£7 per class
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Please call me on 07538 065665, or send an email to join the class.
Class syllabus
Beginners class
- Four principle stances
- Four principle looseness exercises
- Tai Chi walking
- Five elements meditation
- Standing meditation
- Tai Chi 108 Wu style hand form sequence
- 37 forms (the form movements practised individually)
Beginners Qi gong / Dao Yin
- Yin style Ba Gua 8 healing sounds
- Yin style Ba Gua 8 qi leading and guiding exercises
- Ba Duan Jin
Ongoing class
- Tai Chi 108 hand form refinement
- Tai Chi Sabre form
- Push hands
Qi gong / Dao Yin
- Tai Chi 24 forms
- Yin style Ba Gua 8 healing sounds
- Yin style Ba Gua 8 qi leading and guiding exercises
- Ba Duan Jin
- Five elements visualisation meditation
Qi Gong
Qi Gong (pronounced "chee gong") is a term for a huge range of Chinese exercises, traditionally focussed on the health, the martial or the spiritual.
I teach a range of exercises, some health-related, some more martial; all qi gong can contribute to overall robust health, with shifts in emphasis depending on the specific exercise. The exercises I teach are usually practised by coordinating the breath with movement.
As with any practice, the only way to learn and improve is gently, gradually and with respect and sensitivity for your body.
