FAQ

what is tai chi?

Tai Chi Chuan is an internal or ‘soft’ system of martial arts and health practice originating from Shaolin Temple in China but later more associated with Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain) after the legendary Master Cheng Sang Feng was said to have observed a snake and magpie fighting there. It uses soft relaxed movements with aligned posture and meditative breathing to develop and maintain strength, vitality, flexibility, balance and coordination at the same time relieving stress and increasing energy.

What Style of Tai Chi Do You Teach?

Over the long history of Tai Chi there have been many masters who have put their own unique styling on the forms, but all share the same core pinciples of slow relaxed movements, deep breathing and aligned posture. Our experienced teachers have trained in most of them! At our classes students predominantly learn the Yang 24-Step Simplified Form. This easier to learn system was developed by Master Li Deyin in 1953 so that as many people as possible could benefit from the life-enhancing benefits of Tai Chi. For students wishing to progress further we also offer other Tai Chi styles, Qi Qong and Push Hands practice.

Is Tai Chi For Everyone?

The beauty of Tai Chi’s gentle low-impact exercises is that anyone at any age or level of fitness can learn without risk of injury. However we would always recommend speaking with your doctor if you have any health concerns before starting Tai Chi just to be safe. Students who are already very fit and active can benefit from learning to use their body in a far more relaxed and centred way that relieves stress and improves posture thereby providing increased muscle efficiency.

What happens at a Practice Tai Chi Class?

Each Practice Tai Chi class begins with standing exercises and stretches before moving onto gentle moving exercises and sometimes includes partner work. Each class concludes with everyone joining in with the Tai Chi Form. But you’re under no pressure to memorise all the movements – unless you want to! Just follow along and see your health and well-being improve as you practice this ancient art!

What does Western Medicine say about Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is regularly recommended as a great gentle way to exercise at any age or level of fitness for maintaining leg strength, balance and coordination. In studies it has outperformed physiotherapy at avoiding falls as we age by helping to maintain ‘proprioception’ (the ability of the neurons in the inner ear to sense one’s body in space). The unsupported arm movements also gently strengthen and condition the upper body, while the meditative breathing increases aerobic performance without undue stress on the heart. It also often recommended as a way to reduce anxiety and levels of stress by increasing mindfulness and releasing tension.

How Often Should I Practice?

We recommend a little bit of daily practice once you’re confident at doing the movements on your own to achieve the maximum benefits from Tai Chi. However, just coming along and joining in with one class a week will bring improved relaxation and health benefits in matter of a few months. It’s really up to you! You progress at your own pace – Tai Chi is not a race!

What should I wear to class?

We recommend you wear loose fitting clothes in which you feel comfortable and can move freely such as tracksuit/jogging bottoms and a t-shirt/sweatshirt. More important is to wear shoes that are as flat as possible (zero-fall best) as even a small raised heel can disrupt spinal alignment in the posture – go for simple plimsoles, slippers, flat trainers or even train barefoot if you prefer.

do you teach private lessons?

Yes, for those students wanting to develop their Tai Chi practice further we offer Private Tuition in a variety of styles of Tai Chi, Push Hands and Qi Qong. Just contact Chief Instrutor and Practice Tai Chi Founder Dan Carter to find out more.

do you provide seminars, demos or workplace workshops?

Absolutely. Practice Tai Chi already works with Southend Borough Council to provide seasonal in-work Tai Chi classes for their staff as well as performing demonstrations and providing workshops at local community events. We also provide one-off seminars with our experienced instructors or guest teachers both here in South Essex and with our sister club in Holland www.taichi4you.nl. Just contact Chief Instructor and Practice Tai Chi Founder Dan Carter to find out more.