From my experience the school provides the best opportunities to learn tai chi whether the reason one has to learn is for health and fitness purposes or as a martial art for self defence.

 The instructors (Rachel and Sifu) are very experienced and one can tell that they know what they are talking about. The students are taught practically and in a way that helps the students understand how the skills and movements that are taught are incredibly useful to them in everyday life.

 Every exercise that is taught is based on the extensive experience and in contrast with other tai chi schools there is no talk of chi or other esoteric concepts, instead the instructors discuss biomechanics and mention what muscle groups work in different exercises.

 The quality and the effect of the exercises is incredibly beneficial to both the mental and the physical health of the students. In contrast to some other tai chi schools the joints of the students do not experience strain or discomfort as the experience of the instructors and their understanding of biomechanics makes sure that exercises taught do not have downsides for long term health and longevity but instead promote the healthy use of the body.

 (Max)

Last Monday class of 2022

 

Induction course - Monday 12th October

The next induction course starts Monday 12th October. Places must be booked on-line in advance (Covid-19 guidelines).

There are a limited number of places available. If you want to book a place, please send us an e-mail.

sifuwaller@outlook.com 

Induction course Monday 14th September

 The next induction course starts Monday 14th September. Places must be booked on-line in advance (Covid-19 guidelines).

There are a limited number of places available. If you want to book a place, please send us an e-mail.

sifuwaller@outlook.com

TAI CHI - 3-week induction course - Monday 14th September

We have received the go-ahead to resume tai chi classes at St Andrew's Church hall in September.

The induction course will start @ 6:45 PM on 14th September.

Under the new Covid-19 guidelines, registration must take place on-line prior to the induction course.

If you are interested and want to attend, please let me know and I will send you a registration form.

sifuwaller@outlook.com

Benefits

Students who complete the 100 days challenge experience a notable change in their health. They maintain and invigorate the body at the start of each day. Their posture is good: upright and strong, their eyes are clear and sharp. Instead of travelling to work feeling tired and emotionally strung out, the exponent feels great: creative, alert, lively and fresh.

External

Lacking the necessary, balance, connection, coordination and flow, most students resort to local arm strength and brute force during partner work. But that is not taijiquan.

100 days

Without an established daily home training routine it is very hard to make progress in this Art. Your body needs time to shed old habits and become familiar with the new movements. The habit of training every day is necessary if you genuinely want to become an 'internal martial artist'.

Is it necessary to stand for long periods of time?

Some qigong teachers expect students to hold static qigong postures for lengthy periods of time; even up to an hour.

This may be a challenge but the side-effect might easily be varicose veins, massive amounts of muscular tension and a decrease in higher level mobility.

The role of qigong in the internal martial arts

Taijiquan, baguazhang and xingyiquan use forms to practice combat movements, build strength and gain agility.

The forms are highly intricate, with many different levels of skill.

Yiquan (mind fist)/dachengquan (the great accomplishment) - an offshoot of xingyiquan - does not use forms.

Instead, it uses static standing qigong postures in lieu of form.

Xingyiquan uses form(s) for power development.

Dachengquan uses standing qigong.

See the difference?

What should a tai chi school do?

The answer is somewhat self evident, isn't it?

Taijiquan is not dachengquan.

It uses forms, not standing qigong postures.

Read The Tai Chi Classics... There is no mention of standing qigong but a whole lot of information about movement.

Building blocks

Internal qigong is the foundation of taijiquan.
It trains the body to perform simple whole-body movements which underpin everything else.
Standing qigong increases strength whereas moving qigong is concerned with coordination and balance.

When and why did UK taijiquan practitioners start emphasising standing qigong?

1991.

Lam Kam Chuen's Way of Energy book was published and popular.

If you read material published before that time there is typically no mention of standing.

Lam wasn't even teaching taijiquan...
He was doing dachengquan/I chuan - a xingyiquan variant that utilises static postures rather than forms...

There is no static standing in taijiquan.

Which qigong method?

The 2 qigong approaches can be distinguished by applying a slight push to the frame...
The external method feels hard and brittle whereas the internal method is pliable.Our school only employs the 'internal' method.

Internal qigong

Internal qigong features dropped scapula, heavy elbows and only a minor stretch.
Some of the exercises are essentially the same as external qigong, however, the way/manner of performing them is altogether different.

External qigong

Some qigong methods are 'external' in nature; involving large postures and stretching.
They have an expansive appearance.
Lam Kam Chuen's book The Way of Energy features a selection of external qigong exercises.

What makes tai chi 'tai chi'?

Slow motion movement, chilled out exercise or dance cannot be considered tai chi. 
Tai chi is more than this.
It adheres to certain parameters, guidelines and rules of practice.

Research could save you time & money

A would-be student should take the time to learn a little more about taijiquan before attending a class.
Do a little research.
The time spent will be worthwhile.
You do not want to waste years of your life learning something useless... 

Finding a class

When a new starter scours the web looking for the Art they are faced with an array of approaches that are all called 'tai chi' but are often quite dissimilar.
In truth, there is often little consensus.
It is important to find out what taijiquan really means.

The real deal?

Although many classes claim to be teaching taijiquan, very few are.
In order for the Art to qualify as taijiquan, it must adhere to the essence of the Art:

1. Move your body in accord with The Tai Chi Classics 
2. Train all 13 areas of study
3. Follow Yang's 10 Essentials
4. Maintain medically-sound body use
5. Functionally apply the Art in a skilful 'taijiquan' way
6. Employ the taijiquan principles at all times
7. Embody the teachings of Taoism
8. 13 movements should be expressed at all times
9. Every movement is a whole-body movement

Providing these criteria are met, you have an immense degree of freedom for personal expression and individual interpretation.

How can I tell?

You can easily gauge the credibility of a taijiquan instructor without challenging them to a fight.
Participate in a number of lessons.
Watch the class carefully, see how well they know their stuff, determine how easily and comfortably they can apply their art.
Look for a thorough and convincing show of skill.