Classes
Looking forward to my next introduction to Lee style Tai Chi session with @bcsbritishchinesesociety on Saturday 28 October, 12:30pm at Kings Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association. Sign up to attend at https://www.meetup.com/the-bcs/events/296447926
Here’s some photos from last month’s session. Thank you for your enthusiasm and making some long journeys’ into London especially to attend
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art and a gentle internal style of exercise that combines slow, flowing movements, deep breathing, and meditation.
Practicing Tai Chi can enhance balance, flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health while reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Tai Chi is both a martial art and a form of meditation. Some instructors emphasize self-defense, while others focus on health and wellness.
Tai Chi is a low-impact, low-intensity exercise that is gentle on the joints and suitable for people of all genders, ages, and fitness levels. It emphasizes meditation, relaxation, and slow, fluid movements. Tai Chi is known as an internal style, which means it cultivates Qi or life force, in contrast to external styles, which are more physical and develop the muscles.
You only need comfortable clothing and enough space to move around. Some people prefer to practice barefoot, but soft-soled shoes are also an option.
It is recommended to practice Tai Chi at least two to three times a week for the best results. However, even practicing once a week can provide some benefits. In China, they practice Tai Chi every morning in the parks before going to work.
It is recommended to warm up before practicing Tai Chi to prevent injury and improve performance. You can do some light stretching, walk around, or perform other gentle exercises to get your body ready. Warming up and doing some deep breathing and Qigong before you start helps to open the energy channels, so your practice can benefit Qi cultivation rather than purely physical exercise.
Tai Chi can be practiced both alone or with a partner. When practicing alone, you follow a set of choreographed movements. When practicing with a partner, you practice specific martial arts techniques and self-defense strategies. Tai Chi is based on Taoist philosophy, and so Yin-Yang balance means giving a balanced emphasis to both forms and partner exercises like sticky hands.
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that allows for freedom of movement. Cotton or other breathable fabrics are a good choice. You can also buy a Tai Chi uniform based on a Chinese Mandarin style design, which is popular with more advanced students but also suitable for beginners. This can help you get into the Tai Chi mindset.
Tai Chi movements emphasize natural movement, which means an upright posture and a straight back, keeping the shoulders relaxed, not stepping too far or locking the joints, and not overexerting yourself. Tai Chi movements are always circular.
Tai Chi movements should be performed slowly, smoothly, and with intention. You should focus on your breathing, body alignment, and the flow of energy in your body.
Tai Chi breathing involves deep, slow, and natural breathing. You should inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. In the form, breathe in on inward movements and out on outward movements.
To maintain balance while practicing Tai Chi, you should focus on your body alignment, keep your weight centered, and move slowly and smoothly. Coordinate the upper and lower body and avoid leaning.
We teach Lee style as taught to us by our teacher Chee Soo.
There are several types of Tai Chi styles, including traditional family styles and more modern composite styles, which have been designed as fitness exercises by Chinese teachers. Some say there are as many variants as there are Tai Chi teachers. Some styles emphasize order and specific regimented techniques, some are more free-style, and some include both elements.
– Yang style: gentle and flowing with big stances and leaning
– Chen style: more explosive and vigorous like Shaolin kung fu
– Wu style: more Yin, gentle, compact, and smaller stances
– Sun style: light and agile
– Hao style: fast and compact
– Lee style: a Yin and Yang style, somewhere in the middle
You can choose a Tai Chi style based on your goals, physical abilities, and personal preferences. You can try different styles and see which one resonates with you.
While it is possible to learn Tai Chi from videos or books, having a qualified instructor can help you learn the correct techniques, avoid injury, and deepen your practice.
You can search for qualified Tai Chi instructors in West Cornwall on this website. If you live outside Cornwall, please visit our Association’s website.
Look for instructors who have completed a formal instructor training program, have years of actual teaching experience, and are knowledgeable about Tai Chi principles and techniques. It’s also important to find an instructor who has a teaching style that resonates with you.
Tai Chi is a wonderful practice for both physical and mental health and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. With the right guidance and consistent practice, you can experience the many benefits of Tai Chi, such as improved balance, flexibility, strength, and mental well-being. Tai Chi, if taught correctly, is also an ancient and powerful form of self-defense training that will greatly improve your chances of survival if attacked right from the first lesson.
Nigel Bleach is opening a new Tai Chi club in the heart of Cardiff.
Wednesdays 6-7:30pm from 1st March 2023.
Tredegar Room, Old Library, Singleton Road, Cardiff. CF24 2ET
The Falmouth club now has a new home at the Zedshed in Penryn. It’s a large hall with huge windows and amazing views and a sprung wooden floor. We hope to see you all again starting this Wednesday evening 7:45 to 9:15pm.
The teacher is Rachel Simpson. Rachel is one of our most experienced teachers and she has been training in Tai Chi since her days with Chee Soo at the Leamington Spa club. Rachel teaches Lee style Tai Chi and Kai Men qigong at the Falmouth club but she is also an expert teacher in Ancient Taoist Chinese Medicine and Feng Shou kung fu.
Hendra Hall (Carrick Sports and Recreation Centre), Carew Rd, Truro TR1 3TP
Every Tuesday evening 6 – 7.30 p.m
If you need more details contact Steve Hawker on 07909 531979
We are offering free online Tai Chi lessons every day during the lockdown. Wherever you are located and whatever your level of experience, beginner, intermediate, or advanced, you are welcome to come and join our classes, and yes they are completely free of charge for the duration of the lockdown, but if you wish you can make a donation to support the cause. You can train once a week or every single day and there are special classes in the evenings if you are working.
Our Lee style Tai Chi has enormous health benefits and can increase your level of Qi or life force and improve your health and strengthen your immunity on a daily basis.
We are a professional team of Tai Chi teachers with years of experience and we would love the chance to show you what we can do and give you some insight into what Tai Chi can do for you.
So come and try it, what have you got to lose?