Frequently Asked Questions

Tai Chi

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is an ancient Chinese martial art that is widely practiced today for improved health and wellbeing, both physical and emotional, with no emphasis on its martial application. Many Tai Chi classes actually consist of Chi Gong (Qigong) exercises. Tai Chi and Chi Gong are related arts and both consist of smooth flowing movements that require focus and awareness.

Are Tai Chi and Chi Gong suitable for me?

Tai Chi and Chi Gong are low risk systems of exercise that can be practiced by almost anyone. Chi Gong exercises involve slow steady movements in harmony with one's breath, each movement repeated at least six times before moving on to the next. The movements are easy to follow, yet they offer an increasing challenge as you become more aware of the subtleties of movement and balance.

Tai Chi offers a greater challenge because it requires the learning of a more complex set of movements known as a 'Form'. Some people prefer this challenge, whereas others prefer the relative simplicity of a Chi Gong set.

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What does a typical class consist of?

My classes begin with some gentle loosening exercises to mobilise the main joints, let go of tension, and get you into the appropriate mind set.

We then run through a Chi Gong set. This will usually take around 30 minutes of the session, after which you will have breathed diaphragmatically 200+ times. You will have moved your shoulders and elbows through most of their range of motion, or however much is right for you. More importantly, you will have been present in the moment - your mind and body will have spent some time together. You will have been mindful of your posture and alignment and you will have noticed your connection with the Earth beneath your feet.

Following our Chi Gong practice, we will take a short break before learning some movements from the first section of Professor Cheng Man Ching's 37 Posture Form. Whether we do this at all, or how deeply we go into the Form, will depend on the requirements of the majority of the class members.

We often end with a seated guided meditative relaxation of between 5 and 15 minutes.