Berkshire Tai Chi Title v4

What to Expect

With ever-increasing demands being placed on the National Health Service by an ageing population, unprecedented levels of childhood obesity, and high-pressure lifestyles, the Government is actively encouraging each of us to take responsibility for our own health and general well-being. The change in emphasis from treatment of illness to prevention, and the maintenance of good health, means now is an ideal time to start learning Tai Chi Chuan. Skills formed here can help you stay safe, fit and healthy throughout your life.

Created some 450 years ago, Tai Chi is one of the Chinese internal martial arts. Health benefits cannot be fully realised unless it is practised with regard to the self-defence skills it develops.  So, even if our main interest is in health and fitness, we need to develop an insight into the martial aspect of Tai Chi if we are to get any real and lasting advantage from our practice.
Chen Wang ting

If the teacher is not respected
And the student not cared for,
Confusion will arise, however clever one is.

For this reason, all our regular classes aim to provide a balanced presentation of both the civil and martial aspects of Tai Chi.

Yang Class 2

Yang is the most widely practised style of Tai Chi and is characterised by slow, rhythmic and gentle movements. Stances are high, and it is particularly suitable for people with limited mobility, or those who are recuperating.

Chen class

Chen is the original style of Tai Chi and is more obviously martial with its use of lower stances and explosive energy release. In many respects it is more physically demanding than Yang and is better suited to practitioners who are fit and fully mobile

WHAT IS A TYPICAL BERKSHIRE TAI CHI CLASS LIKE?

At Berkshire Tai Chi, a Beginners’ class usually falls into two main, roughly equal, parts. The first one consists of gentle exercises aimed at improving general body awareness, inducing calm and relaxation, and developing whole body co-ordination and energy flow.

The second part focuses on memorising the set sequence of movements known as "the Form". Finally, the session ends with a short set of exercises whose purpose is to settle the energy and cool the body down.

Yang class
2 pairs pushing hands v2 small
2 pairs pushing hands v1 small

A more advanced class will typically spend more time on refining the Form, and developing skill in applying Tai Chi principles through the use of various paired exercises, where students work with a partner.

Weapons practice may also be included.

HOW BERKSHIRE TAI CHI CLASSES CAN HELP.

Our Tai Chi and Chi Kung (energy exercise) - based programmes regulate and deepen the breathing. This generates energy whilst helping to calm the mind and the emotions. When the mind and emotions are allowed to become calm, the nervous system will likewise be soothed.

Concentration increases, and people can think more clearly. This enhances decision-making and creative problem-solving capabilities.

Posture is improved, and better balance and physical co-ordination enable the body to work more effectively, reducing the likelihood of an individual sustaining back problems and strains, or suffering injury as a result of falling.

Contact us if you require further information.
 

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Chinese Internal Arts Association