Why join?
Since the Elemental Tai Chi school opened full time in 2012, students have started this practice for a number of different reasons:
Relieving stress & hypertension
This is where the Qi Gong exercises at the beginning can help almost immediately by taking time out to get our minds in our bodies, along with the Relaxation exercises helping further. Relaxing eventually become the cornerstone of the whole system and is used in the Tai Chi form considerably.
This work has been the main focus for Robert’s corporate work with the likes of Coca Cola, Shell Oil amongst many other businesses. From first hand experience, the Qi Gong work alone, over time (and practice!) can build a resilience to stress and a relaxed alertness helping executives deal with the pressures of the workplace.
Regulating blood pressure
Students have found the syllabus extremely helpful in achieving this. We have had students with high blood pressure confirm this by recording blood pressure, training and re taking to discover the change. Of course, regular practice is essential to maintain these results.
Aiding recovery from injuries or strokes
This is another reason some students have joined the Elemental Tai Chi school. Getting the blood and lymph pumping, getting the mind connected back into the body to coordinate the limbs have all been parts of the system that have helped with recovery of various challenges.
Improving balance
This the classic Tai Chi benefit and something we are passionate about at Elemental Tai Chi. Ironically, the traditional martial influenced way of teaching footwork and stances in the system achieves these improvements of balance and UK NHS confirmed that Tai Chi is ‘evidence based exercise’ to do just that.
Addiction recovery
Since 2012, Robert started teaching at an addiction recovery centre and still runs classes there now. Getting the parasympathetic nervous system engaged and healthy dopamine release has helped people recovering from addictions feel calm and more centred.
“Elemental Tai Chi has become the bedrock of my physical and mental wellbeing over the last eight years. The teaching is easy to follow and set at a steady pace.”
“A webinar organised by Osteoporosis Dorset recommended Tai Chi as a good exercise system for sufferers from the ‘Brittle Bone’ condition.
As a result of this I joined one of Robert’s Elemental Tai Chi classes. Over a couple of years, I have really benefited from his teaching of the gentle enjoyable classes, improving balance and coordination and reducing stress.
And I’ve also made a lot of new friends.”
— Susan