What is Tai Chi?

• Tai Chi a Chinese martial art which is over one thousand years old.

• Tai Chi was used for self-defence in ancient China and is currently widely practiced for good health,

• self-awareness and spiritual development.

How can Tai Chi help me?

• Practicing Tai Chi can help people with poor health become stronger, the hyperactive become at ease,

• the anxious become confident and the angry feel calmer.

How does Tai Chi work?

• Tai Chi combines slow, controlled movement with posture, balance, coordination, relaxed breathing and focused attention.

• From a traditional Chinese perspective, Tai Chi practice works with Qi (Chi), often described as the body's vital energy. Through relaxation, correct posture and coordinated movement, practitioners seek to encourage the smooth circulation of Qi and develop greater internal awareness.

• From a modern movement perspective, Tai Chi involves controlled weight transfer, balance, coordination, body awareness and gentle, purposeful movement. Regular practice provides an opportunity to develop these skills progressively and at your own pace.

• For me, these two perspectives are part of what makes Tai Chi so fascinating: an ancient practice that can also be explored through our modern understanding of movement and healthy ageing.

What will I experience?

Everyone experiences Tai Chi differently, and there is no particular sensation that you need to feel in order to practise successfully.

As you become more familiar with the movements, you may begin to notice greater awareness of your posture, balance, weight distribution, breathing and areas of unnecessary muscular tension.

Many people enjoy the feeling of becoming calmer and more relaxed as they focus their attention on slow, purposeful movement.

Some practitioners also describe sensations such as warmth, heaviness, lightness or tingling during practice. In traditional Tai Chi, these experiences may sometimes be described in terms of Qi (Chi) and the development of internal awareness.

Rather than trying to create a particular sensation, I encourage you simply to relax, stay curious and notice how your own body responds.

There is no right way to feel — the experience develops differently for everyone.

Is Tai Chi safe?

• As long as beginners do beginner level techniques they will be safe.

• You should always train at your own level and always consult your GP if you have a medical condition.

What should I wear?

• Wear loose clothing that does not constrict your movement or blood flow like a track bottom and a T-shirt.

• Remove wrist watch and avoid wearing a tight belt around your waist.

• Wear flat-soled shoes, rather than heeled running shoes for better posture and rooting.

Other beneficial considerations

• Please allow an hour to digest your food before the class. 

• Drink water to keep hydrated so bring a water bottle.

• Refrain from alcohol before class.