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
Every Thursday, Bents Green Methodist Church
Junction of Knowle Lane and Ringinglow Road, S11 7PU
Classes run 7.15pm to approximately 8.30pm
£5 per class
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Please call me on 07538 065665, or send an email to join the class.
Tai Chi videos and documentaries
BBC Trust Me, I'm A Doctor
Trust Me, I'm A Doctor examines how tai chi can affect the body positively.
Tai Chi documentary featuring Grand Master Eddie Wu
An old video of Wu Tai Chi form
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 primarily health-related exercises, focussed on strengthening the qi of specific organs, the whole body, or aspects of qi such as storing, opening, closing and gathering. These exercises are usually practised initially by coordinating the breath with different movements.
As with any practice, the only way to learn and improve is gently, gradually and with respect and sensitivity for your body.
Tai Chi articles
Here are some articles online which talk primarily about the health benefits of Tai Chi practice:
Tai Chi improves high blood pressure
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