About Elemental Tai Chi
Elemental Tai Chi is a process for learning Qi Gong and Tai Chi online specifically for
health and wellbeing
The process
Starting in 2016, Robert and his instructor worked for 3.5 years developing the Elemental Tai Chi syllabus as it is today: a prescribed process that has been developed to start externally and eventually work towards deeper levels of practice, if the students wish to progress further.
If your interest is in improving balance, regulating blood pressure and reducing stress then Level 1 (Water) is all you need and this is available right now to our members: Sign up
Level One (Water) has three Disciplines and three Elements.
The Disciplines
Hand exercises to build strength in the tendons, build strength and can also help with arthritis.
The first Qi Gong Set which consist of eight Qi Gong exercises (these are the ones that everyone learns first and gets the benefits the quickest).
Bamboo Sways Exercises to improve balance, join the body into one unit and build strength in the legs.
The Elements
Top Half of the Tai Chi form: this means you can practice this seated if you wish or need to.
Bottom Half of the Tai Chi form:stances and footwork are explored to align feet and hips and improve balance.
Putting it all Together: the Tai Chi form itself with top half and bottom half combined.
An overview of Level One
LEVEL 1
Water
Developing the Framework
This first level of learning is designed to:
Improve co-ordination
Build strength in the legs
Increase flexibility in the hips
Develop the initial framework of the Tai Chi form
The system is quite a unique way of learning the Tai Chi form as we concentrate on learning the top half of the body, then stances (footwork), then everything together.
This is important as learning the footwork aligns the feet and the hips and lays the foundation for later work. Students often cite feeling more stable after just the footwork exercises.
The Tai Chi movements are large and simple to start with and will eventually develop into the traditional more recognisable classical patterns as you progress through the system.
We also introduce exercises to develop ‘song’ or ‘relaxing’ which will become the cornerstone of the whole system.
This is the most important level. It is a large body of training, will take a while to work through and is the foundation of the foundations!
Many students may decide to remain at this first level and simply use the site as an exercise system to maintain strength, regulate blood pressure and provide resilience to stress.
Further Levels
For students who are serious about progressing deeper into the practice, further levels of learning will be made available after a personal assessment of the first level of learning, by Robert over Zoom.
Remember if you just wish to improve your balance, help with your blood pressure and reduce stress, Level 1 (Water) is all you need and this syllabus is available now when you become a member
“I started training with Elemental Tai Chi about two years ago and have found it to be very valuable. There is a clear and structured syllabus and Robert delivers it in an easy and interesting way. Each session is very informative. Quite early on I discovered several benefits. The initial one was a wonderful feeling of calmness.
Having learnt some of the patterns I was able to continue my practice outside of the regular sessions. It soon became obvious that the more time I set aside to practice the greater the benefits. As time has gone on, I feel that I have developed more inner strength leading to improved stability and balance.”
-J.W.