What Is T'ai Chi Chuan?
T'ai Chi Chuan originates from China with it's roots in Internal Martial Arts. The style we practise is the Yang Traditional 103 Hand Form. The emphasis is on keeping you fit and healthy and improving balance and co-ordination. It has the added benefit as a means of relaxation and de-stressing.
What is Qi Gong?
Qi Gong is much older and was designed for improving health, well being and fitness by practising breathing exercises. The style of Qi Gong we practise is selected to be easy to learrn and leads on to the Tai Chi Form it can be practiced standing up or sitting down.
Is it suitable for me?
Generally some Qi Gong can be practised by everybody as it can be done as purely a breathing exercise similar to static meditation. Tai Chi Chuan is preformed standing up and moving around the area, but the movements are slow and thoughtful. However if you feel it wise, you should consult with your doctor or other medical advisors before starting ANY exercise routine.
What do you practise in a class?
The Tai Chi Club practises Tai Chi Chuan both as a means of improving health and with a basic explanation of what the 'Form' moves mean.
Introduction Exercises
Health based exercises (Quick to learn)
Qi Gong exercises (Not too difficult)
T'ai Chi Hand Form (Easy to learn one move at a time)
Demonstrations of what we imagine. The 'Meaning' of moves
Push Hands
Who is the instructor?
Neil Bradley (Tai Chi Union for Great Britain).
In addition we have a number of Coaches, those attending are encouraged to help others with advice based on their own practice and experience. Also amongst our students are people with experience in other styles.
What if I'm completely new to Tai Chi Chuan?
That's fine, everybody has to start sometime.
How long does it take to learn?
If you practise for ten minutes every day, you get the point and learn quickly. If you just practise once a week (while still enjoying it and very welcome) it will take you longer.
A good approach is to practice what you do remember for a couple of minutes and build up. You'll soon have ten minutes
I have studied Tai Chi Chuan / Qi Gong before.
If you have studied other forms of Tai Chi Chuan there is a lot of overlap between different styles. But we do Yang Family. There are even more variations of Qi Gong, but the breathing methods tend to be the same.
I have studied a different Martial Art.
Martial artists often study T'ai Chi Chuan as an addition or to compliment their own main style. Most people with previous martial experience find that experience is a short cut to learning T'ai Chi Chuan. You will also progress more quickly as you will be familiar with the concept of "Train every day".
I'm interested in'Qi', 'Dim Mak', 'Fa Jing', 'Healing', 'Martial Arts Secrets'.
So are we, but you need to learn the Form first to give yourself a base. "Show me" is normally a good question to ask and "Have you considered practising?" usually the answer to making it work.
Tai Chi Chuan is based on simplicity.
Tel : 01773 745599
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If you would like to come.
FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Tel: Neil Bradley on
01773 745599