About Tai Chi
The slow, gentle movements of Tai Chi have been used to improve health, wellbeing and vitality for hundreds of years.
The movements are linked together as a sequence of ‘patterns’ that make up the Tai Chi form.
Tai Chi is often described as moving meditation
Originally and still trained by some as a martial art, the health benefits are where Tai Chi has gained popularity across the world.
Chen style is often heralded as the original form and this and its subsequent variations (Yang style, Wu style, Sun style) are the forms that are most practiced across the world today.
The core principles are the same within all the different styles and even the same style can be found to be taught slightly differently depending on the instructor’s lineage.
Movements are completed very slowly and initially with an emphasis on posture, body alignment, balance and most importantly relaxation.
This can develop later into a practice where the student can feel ‘rooted’ into the ground and the muscles ‘hang’ from the bones as with practice, accumulated tension is released and the muscle fascia becomes stretched to join the body into one unit.
At later levels advanced breathing techniques can be added also.
“Robert is a great teacher very patient and knowledgeable. My weekly Tai Chi class was an hour and a half of escape and tranquillity away from everyday life in addition to improving my balance and general well-being. I am now a tai chi enthusiast and will continue using it as a form of exercise and relaxation on a daily basis.”
— Anonymous