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 inwards changing the body, the sinews and the fascia while learning Qi Gong and the Tai Chi form.
The foundation syllabus is 4 levels of learning with three ‘Disciplines’ and three ‘Elements’ at each level:
Level 1: Water
Level 2: Water & Earth
Level 3: Earth
Level 4: Earth & Wind/Wood
The Disciplines
These exercises help develop the body for Tai Chi and at Level 1: Water include sinew exercises for the hands and the first Qi Gong form.
Students get huge benefit from just learning the first Qi Gong set alone where the stages are:
Coordinate the movements
Find the in and out breathes (breathing with the movement)
Relaxing techniques
Mind in the centre
Moving with the breath
Abdominal breathing (Level 2)
The Elements
These relate to the Tai Chi form itself and at Water Level are simply:
Top Half
Bottom Half
Putting it all together
Overview of Level 1:
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.
“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.