Tai Chi
Tai Chi is both a martial art and a gentle, flowing form of exercise and movement that is perfect for anyone looking to improve their well-being.
By focusing on slow, deliberate motions, it helps you cultivate functional strength, better balance, relaxation, and heightened sense of body awareness.
A typical Tai Chi class involves learning slow, continuous movements that flow smoothly from one posture into the next.
Sometimes postures are held to develop structural strength, but Tai Chi puts a lot of emphasis in the movement between postures into a continuous flowing sequence.
Beginners learn these movements step by step, gradually building them into longer sequences known as forms.
Classes will also involve standing meditation practices.
Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872)
Imperial Bodyguard Martial Arts Instructor, Founder of Yang-style Taijiquan
Root of Tai Chi
Tai Chi comes from Taijiquan (Supreme Ultimate Fist), a physical art from China that focuses on body unification and strength through relaxation.
Historically, Taijiquan was popularised as a fighting art from the imperial palaces of the Qing dynasty emperors. It was discovered that the physical training of training both soft and hard movements led to significantly improved health to all who practised it. Masters were able to practice into old age without changing their routines, staying vibrant and healthy into their later years.
Taijiquan is rooted in Daoist philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine, and classical martial principles. It emphasises the cultivation of qi (vital energy), the harmonisation of yin and yang forces, and the integration of body, mind, and breath.
Tai Chi evolved through several major lineages, including Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun styles, each adapting core principles to different contexts and interpretations.
Whilst the martial aspect is essential to the root of Tai Chi, and rigorously practised by our teachers, at this time we mainly offer classes focusing on improving health and vitality.