“Heaven is my father and Earth my mother, and even such a small being as I finds an intimate place in their midst. Therefore that which fills the universe I regard as my body and that which directs the universe I regard as my nature. All people are my brothers and sisters, and all things are my companions.” (Chang Tsai)

What Is Tai Chi?

An ancient Chinese discipline, Tai Chi (Taiji) combines health exercises, martial arts techniques & meditation for the purposes of self healing, self defence & self development. It is derived from the concept of eternal change & the interplay of positive (yang) & negative (yin) energies.

Tai Chi is a commonly used abbreviation for Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) which translates as “great extremes boxing” or “yin & yang boxing”.

 There are many different styles of Tai Chi & most are named after the Masters or families that developed them. The most well known are Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao & Sun styles.

Most Tai Chi styles require the student to learn a sequence of movements designed to improve health & instil self defence capabilities. This is usually referred to as “the form” & it can differ greatly in content & appearance.

Although each style has its own unique characteristics, all styles share the same core principles. Yang style is the most popular & is regularly practiced by millions of people all over the world.

The health benefits of Tai Chi exercise are becoming increasingly well known & correct practice has been proven to help you to:

·         relieve stress

·         get fit

·         improve your self-esteem

·         strengthen your immune system

·         improve heart & lung function

·         revitalize mind & body

·         improve posture & balance

·         increase flexibility & coordination

·         cultivate inner peace

·         stretch, tone & strengthen your whole body

·         rediscover natural movement

 After a relatively short period of training in Tai Chi most people also find that they relate better to loved ones & work-mates as self control improves & a more positive & confident attitude develops.

Many businesses, corporations and organisations are utilizing Tai Chi to help manage stress levels, reduce absenteeism, enhance creativity, encourage team cohesion and improve productivity, performance and efficiency.

Tai Chi is suitable for most people at all levels of fitness & can be practiced well into later life. The combination of abdominal breathing, relaxed movement & mental focus releases tension & builds energy, enabling a more balanced & adaptable attitude to life’s changes, encouraging peace of mind & cultivating uncommon fortitude.

Regular practice produces a deep sense of relaxation & well-being, helps to prevent illness, promotes healing & increases vitality.

Tai Chi Chuan, the great ultimate, strengthens the weak, raises the sick, and encourages the timid.” (Cheng Man Ching)

 As well as bestowing great health benefits, Tai Chi Chuan is also an extremely effective method of self defence developed with practical application in mind. Keen awareness & efficient use of the body enables an attack to be neutralized & countered using the minimum possible force to maximum effect - the Tai Chi Chuan exponent “borrows” the offensive energy of the attacker & uses it against them.

The health giving & martial aspects of Tai Chi both complement & inform one another delivering a holistic system of exercise that can be of benefit to everyone.

Ultimately, Tai Chi is designed to enhance your natural capabilities & help you to fulfill your innate potential.

It is an ideal way to regain, maintain & protect your well being.

"Tai chi does not mean oriental wisdom or something exotic. It is the wisdom of your own senses, your own mind and body together as one process." (Chungliang Al Huang)