Tuesday
Which approach is best?
Martial arts classes tend to offer a variety of options aimed at different personalities and preferences.
Individual systems and styles are favour certain training methods.
Most classes teach a workable system.
Which approach is best?
It all depends on what you want.
A person who enjoys fighting will choose a class that focuses on fighting.
Someone who wants to finish the fight quickly may select a martial art that focuses on incapacitation.
Another person may choose self defence because they have no interest in fighting.
Which approach works best for you?
Individual systems and styles are favour certain training methods.
Most classes teach a workable system.
Which approach is best?
It all depends on what you want.
A person who enjoys fighting will choose a class that focuses on fighting.
Someone who wants to finish the fight quickly may select a martial art that focuses on incapacitation.
Another person may choose self defence because they have no interest in fighting.
Which approach works best for you?
Monday
Sunday
Hands
Over-use and wrong use of the hands can cause immobility and arthritis.
Main culprits:
• Computer mouse
• Mobile phone
• Tapping a touch screen
• Unnecessary application of force
• Gripping too hard
• Knitting
• Sewing
• Repetitive activity
• Using a keyboard
• Playing video games
Main culprits:
• Computer mouse
• Mobile phone
• Tapping a touch screen
• Unnecessary application of force
• Gripping too hard
• Knitting
• Sewing
• Repetitive activity
• Using a keyboard
• Playing video games
Tuesday
Sitting
The main culprit for loss of mobility in most adults is sitting on their backsides too much.
Sitting causes:
• Strained neck
• Sore shoulders
• Upper back pain
• Lower back pain
• Loss of circulation
• Joint compression
• Swollen legs
• Heart disease
The solution is easy.
Switch off the PC, the TV and walk whenever possible rather than drive.
Sitting causes:
• Strained neck
• Sore shoulders
• Upper back pain
• Lower back pain
• Loss of circulation
• Joint compression
• Swollen legs
• Heart disease
The solution is easy.
Switch off the PC, the TV and walk whenever possible rather than drive.
Friday
Versatile
Rachel offers a wide variety of tai chi skills:
- Qigong
- standing qigong (various)
- moving qigong (various) - Form
- slow form (regular & mirrored)
- sabre form (regular & mirrored)
- 2-person stick form (regular & mirrored)
- staff form (regular & mirrored)
- walking stick form (regular & mirrored)
- jian form (regular & mirrored) - Self-massage
- Psoas exercises
- Neigong (whole-body strength)
- Taoist yoga (tao yin)
- Women's self defence (including syllabus design)
- Martial skill (kung fu)
Rachel is also proficient with Jiang-style baguazhang.
Thursday
An ancient art
We offer the traditional form of tai chi.
The ancient art.
It was developed by another culture, in another time.
Students can learn remarkable skills not widely known or practiced in the modern era.
The ancient art.
It was developed by another culture, in another time.
Students can learn remarkable skills not widely known or practiced in the modern era.
Friday
The principles, tactics and skills of tai chi chuan are radically different from those of the much greater number of external martial arts styles.
Although all martial arts styles are designed to be effective in combat, the internal martial arts styles and tai chi chuan in particular, emphasis efficiency as much as effectiveness.
Efficiency is measured by the ability to achieve success by using the absolute minimum amount of effort necessary.
(Zhang Yun)
Although all martial arts styles are designed to be effective in combat, the internal martial arts styles and tai chi chuan in particular, emphasis efficiency as much as effectiveness.
Efficiency is measured by the ability to achieve success by using the absolute minimum amount of effort necessary.
(Zhang Yun)
Monday
How
Unlike other martial arts, tai chi chuan is concerned with the means rather than simply the end result.
The how rather than just the what.
Pragmatism. Effectiveness. Economy. These are our focus. Minimum effort produces maximum effect.
Body use is very important.
Neigong (whole-body strength) and jing (internal power) enable tai chi chuan students to generate kinetic energy, which we employ in combat.
The how rather than just the what.
Pragmatism. Effectiveness. Economy. These are our focus. Minimum effort produces maximum effect.
Body use is very important.
Neigong (whole-body strength) and jing (internal power) enable tai chi chuan students to generate kinetic energy, which we employ in combat.
Saturday
Challenge
Martial arts are quite demanding to learn; requiring the student to significantly increase their strength, agility, endurance and speed.
The challenges are both physical and mental.
A casual approach will not work.
Body, mind and emotions need to be conditioned and honed through sustained, regular practice.
The training must involve a wide range of challenging martial concerns; increasing in difficulty as the student becomes more adept.
To possess combat skills, you must train combat skills.
The challenges are both physical and mental.
A casual approach will not work.
Body, mind and emotions need to be conditioned and honed through sustained, regular practice.
The training must involve a wide range of challenging martial concerns; increasing in difficulty as the student becomes more adept.
To possess combat skills, you must train combat skills.
Monday
What is tai chi chuan?
Tai chi chuan/taijiquan is a style of kung fu once practiced by the Manchu Emperor's elite palace guards.There are 5 traditional styles of tai chi chuan: Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao and Sun.
The art is quietly challenging; requiring patience, hard work, commitment, mindfulness and composure.
Students work towards the cultivation of a high degree of physical skill and can reasonably expect to practice the art for most of their lives.
The art is quietly challenging; requiring patience, hard work, commitment, mindfulness and composure.
Students work towards the cultivation of a high degree of physical skill and can reasonably expect to practice the art for most of their lives.
Saturday
Does tai chi chuan combat take place in slow motion?
To quote the Tai Chi Classics: "If the opponent's movement is quick, then quickly respond; if his movement is slow, then follow slowly."
Some of the training methods (i.e. form) are slow; this is to develop strength, accuracy, balance and control.
New skills are often slowed down for safety until the student gains familiarity.
As the student becomes adept, the kung fu speeds up considerably.
Combat is usually fast.
Some of the training methods (i.e. form) are slow; this is to develop strength, accuracy, balance and control.
New skills are often slowed down for safety until the student gains familiarity.
As the student becomes adept, the kung fu speeds up considerably.
Combat is usually fast.
Wednesday
Why don't people know that tai chi can be a martial art?
The combat methods and principles behind tai chi chuan have been a well-kept secret in China for hundreds of years.
Very few members of the general public understand how to use tai chi chuan as a martial art.Classes offering the complete tai chi chuan martial syllabus are rare in the UK.
Very few members of the general public understand how to use tai chi chuan as a martial art.Classes offering the complete tai chi chuan martial syllabus are rare in the UK.
Saturday
Can combat be healthy?
Every martial artist in the world seeks to defeat their opponent in combat.
But at what price?Blocking, struggling, forcing, striking a balanced opponent... these are also harmful to your own body.
In defeating your opponent you may also harm yourself.
Tai chi chuan is different.
All movements are performed in a manner that ensures the greatest effect for the least amount of effort.
The internal martial arts aim to incapacitate the opponent without sustaining any injury to yourself.
Additionally; emotional composure is maintained at all times.
There is no aggression or macho, cocky behaviour in tai chi chuan.
This is good for your health and wellbeing.
But at what price?Blocking, struggling, forcing, striking a balanced opponent... these are also harmful to your own body.
In defeating your opponent you may also harm yourself.
Tai chi chuan is different.
All movements are performed in a manner that ensures the greatest effect for the least amount of effort.
The internal martial arts aim to incapacitate the opponent without sustaining any injury to yourself.
Additionally; emotional composure is maintained at all times.
There is no aggression or macho, cocky behaviour in tai chi chuan.
This is good for your health and wellbeing.
Friday
Can I study baguazhang?
Baguazhang is physically and mentally challenging, with a complex form, unique training methods and counter-intuitive tactics.
A high degree of balance and coordination is necessary.
There is no beginners or intermediate level in baguazhang.
A student gains the foundation skills through the study of tai chi chuan: sensitivity, footwork, timing, biomechanical awareness, whole-body movement, jing, root...
Baguazhang employs a considerable amount of shuai jiao and chin na applications, so a thorough grounding in these skills is a must.
A potential baguazhang student must show considerable aptitude with tai chi chuan if they want to study a second art.
A high degree of balance and coordination is necessary.
There is no beginners or intermediate level in baguazhang.
A student gains the foundation skills through the study of tai chi chuan: sensitivity, footwork, timing, biomechanical awareness, whole-body movement, jing, root...
Baguazhang employs a considerable amount of shuai jiao and chin na applications, so a thorough grounding in these skills is a must.
A potential baguazhang student must show considerable aptitude with tai chi chuan if they want to study a second art.
Thursday
What are the martial skills (kung fu)?
In combat, tai chi chuan uses evasion, stickiness and sensitivity rather than brute force.
The muscles remain relaxed at all times and the body moves as one whole unit (neigong).
There are many tai chi chuan martial skills in the syllabus, including:
The muscles remain relaxed at all times and the body moves as one whole unit (neigong).
There are many tai chi chuan martial skills in the syllabus, including:
- Shuai jiao (take downs)
- Chin na (seizing)
- San sau (fixed sets)
- San da (freeform combat)
- Form application
Even though many of these skills are common to different styles of kung fu, a tai chi chuan student must perform them in a tai chi chuan way.
The application of tai chi chuan always follow the guidelines presented in the Tai Chi Classics.
The application of tai chi chuan always follow the guidelines presented in the Tai Chi Classics.
Sunday
What are the benefits of learning tai chi chuan?
Tai chi chuan is not just about combat.
Daily practice offers a wide range of benefits that will affect your everyday life:
• Get fit
• Stay calm
• Feel balanced
• Increased stamina and endurance
• Stress-relief
• Gain functional combat skills that rely upon intelligence rather than brutality
• Off-set the effects of aging (e.g. sarcopenia)
• The release of deeply-held muscular tension
• Boost energy
• A way to use millennia old Chinese wisdom in everyday life
• Meditation
• An unusual form of strength
• Emotional composure in the face of confrontation and crisis
• Philosophical study involving some of the most influential books ever written
• Cultivate confidence and resourcefulness
Daily practice offers a wide range of benefits that will affect your everyday life:
• Get fit
• Stay calm
• Feel balanced
• Increased stamina and endurance
• Stress-relief
• Gain functional combat skills that rely upon intelligence rather than brutality
• Off-set the effects of aging (e.g. sarcopenia)
• The release of deeply-held muscular tension
• Boost energy
• A way to use millennia old Chinese wisdom in everyday life
• Meditation
• An unusual form of strength
• Emotional composure in the face of confrontation and crisis
• Philosophical study involving some of the most influential books ever written
• Cultivate confidence and resourcefulness
Wednesday
A-Z of tai chi
Notes, lessons and reflections.
This is a small sample of Sifu Waller's teaching and insights:
http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/A-Z.htm
This is a small sample of Sifu Waller's teaching and insights:
http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/A-Z.htm
What does Sifu Waller teach?
• Baguazhang
• Chin na
• Meditation
• Neigong
• Qigong
• Shuai jiao
• Tai chi chuan
• Taoism
• Weaponry
• Zen
• Chin na
• Meditation
• Neigong
• Qigong
• Shuai jiao
• Tai chi chuan
• Taoism
• Weaponry
• Zen
Tuesday
Is tai chi easy to practice?
Qigong & tai chi for health movements are not physically strenuous and will not strain or tax the body.
However, easy or difficult are relative to the individual.
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) is much harder to learn and requires a greater commitment to practice.
You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi chuan overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...
However, easy or difficult are relative to the individual.
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) is much harder to learn and requires a greater commitment to practice.
You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi chuan overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...
Why are your classes more expensive than the guy down the street?
Print off these pages:
Take the sheets to another class and ask the instructor to explain and illustrate/demonstrate each facet to you.
This will answer your question.
This will answer your question.
Saturday
Thursday
Is tai chi easy to learn?
Everyone is different.
Some people pick things up quickly whilst others require more time.
A good tai chi school will have a tried and tested syllabus in place.
By systematically learning one skill at a time, the student gradually accrues information, gains physical awareness and increases the range and scope of their understanding.
But this does not happen overnight.
There is a considerable amount of information to learn. It must be revised, refined, honed and practiced thoroughly.
Some people pick things up quickly whilst others require more time.
A good tai chi school will have a tried and tested syllabus in place.
By systematically learning one skill at a time, the student gradually accrues information, gains physical awareness and increases the range and scope of their understanding.
But this does not happen overnight.
There is a considerable amount of information to learn. It must be revised, refined, honed and practiced thoroughly.
Wednesday
Who can study tai chi?
Qigong & tai chi for health can be practiced by pretty much anyone.
Fitness and age are not important.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) is not suitable for everyone.
If you fancy discovering the martial skills (kung fu) you need to be realistic in terms of expectations.
We reserve the right to decline tuition:
• if we feel that a student is physically unable to study tai chi chuan safely• if an individual demonstrates the wrong attitude for tai chi chuan study
Fitness and age are not important.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) is not suitable for everyone.
If you fancy discovering the martial skills (kung fu) you need to be realistic in terms of expectations.
We reserve the right to decline tuition:
• if we feel that a student is physically unable to study tai chi chuan safely• if an individual demonstrates the wrong attitude for tai chi chuan study
Thursday
Is tai chi just form?
Form is just 1 area of practice in tai chi.
8 areas of knowledge and ability provide a balanced comprehension of the art:
- Qigong (energy/breath work)
- Martial skill (kung fu)
- Neigong (whole-body strength)
- Instructing (optional)
A tai chi student should work towards competence in each of these areas and also uncover the essence of the art.
Tuesday
Isn't tai chi slow and boring?
Some tai chi exercises are slow, whilst others are not.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) training starts slowly and then speeds up as the student becomes more skilled.
A good class will always have a comprehensive syllabus in place; ensuring on-going development and access to new material.
The training challenges your mind with unexpected insights, skills and possibilities.
No two lessons are the same.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) training starts slowly and then speeds up as the student becomes more skilled.
A good class will always have a comprehensive syllabus in place; ensuring on-going development and access to new material.
The training challenges your mind with unexpected insights, skills and possibilities.
No two lessons are the same.
Friday
Is tai chi a martial art?
The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.
(Miyamoto Musashi)
In modern times tai chi is typically taught for exercise.Martial classes offering a complete range of skills are very rare in the UK.
We offer our students the option of practicing tai chi as a martial art.
We offer our students the option of practicing tai chi as a martial art.
Wednesday
Is tai chi just form?
Form is just 1 area of practice in tai chi.
8 areas of knowledge and ability provide a balanced comprehension of the art:
- Qigong (energy/breath work)
- Martial skill (kung fu)
- Neigong (whole-body strength)
- Instructing (optional)
Sunday
I want to learn tai chi as a martial art, why do I need to become a member?
Taijiquan is more difficult to learn than tai chi for health.
It cannot be approached haphazardly.
A clear, structured syllabus must be in place, along with a logical step-by-step teaching plan determining just how the syllabus is implemented.
Students who attend weekly and are willing to practice between lessons will find taijiquan to be a challenging learning experience.
It cannot be approached haphazardly.
A clear, structured syllabus must be in place, along with a logical step-by-step teaching plan determining just how the syllabus is implemented.
Students who attend weekly and are willing to practice between lessons will find taijiquan to be a challenging learning experience.
Wednesday
Welcome
We offer a very high standard of tuition from instructors with decades of experience.There is a syllabus in place to ensure that the tai chi is taught in a consistent, structured, methodical way.
Students work towards a comprehensive understanding of tai chi, whole-body strength and the ability to use their body in an intelligent, healthy manner.
Have fun in a calm, vibrant, training environment; free from bullying, cliques and politics. The atmosphere is friendly, pleasant and relaxed.
Personal safety and individual wellbeing are important to us.
Students work towards a comprehensive understanding of tai chi, whole-body strength and the ability to use their body in an intelligent, healthy manner.
Have fun in a calm, vibrant, training environment; free from bullying, cliques and politics. The atmosphere is friendly, pleasant and relaxed.
Personal safety and individual wellbeing are important to us.
Monday
Is tai chi easy to practice?
However, easy or difficult are relative to the individual.
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.
You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.
You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...
Sunday
The perfect exercise?
In modern life, time is in short supply and a person wants to get the best possible benefits from any new endeavour they undertake.
Harvard Medical School suggests that tai chi may indeed be the perfect exercise.
Tai chi offers a multi-layered approach to the cultivation of health, vitality and wellbeing.
The depth of study available within a bona fide system of tai chi is incredible; a student can quite literally explore the art for their entire lifetime and still discover new mysteries, secrets and skills.
As a martial art, taijiquan is unparalleled in its sophisticated biomechanics, diversity of combat skills and variety of application.
Harvard Medical School suggests that tai chi may indeed be the perfect exercise.
Tai chi offers a multi-layered approach to the cultivation of health, vitality and wellbeing.
The depth of study available within a bona fide system of tai chi is incredible; a student can quite literally explore the art for their entire lifetime and still discover new mysteries, secrets and skills.
As a martial art, taijiquan is unparalleled in its sophisticated biomechanics, diversity of combat skills and variety of application.
Saturday
How can you tell what a tai chi class is offering?
(i) Most classes are health classes
Virtually every tai chi class in the UK is teaching 'tai chi for health'.
Classes offering taijiquan (the martial art) are very rare indeed.
Some classes may advertise themselves as 'taijiquan' but are in fact teaching tai chi for health.
(ii) Martial proof
It is easy to determine if a taijiquan martial arts class is bona fide.
Ask the instructor about:
Virtually every tai chi class in the UK is teaching 'tai chi for health'.
Classes offering taijiquan (the martial art) are very rare indeed.
Some classes may advertise themselves as 'taijiquan' but are in fact teaching tai chi for health.
(ii) Martial proof
It is easy to determine if a taijiquan martial arts class is bona fide.
Ask the instructor about:
- Their syllabus
- Teaching methodology
- Tai chi principles (4 ounces, 6 balanced pairs, 13 postures, fa jing, folding, groundpath, opening & closing, reeling silk, shen, softness, substantial & insubstantial, sung, yielding etc)
- Martial theory and application
- Form application (7 applications for every posture)
- Examples of shuai jiao, chin na and jing skill
A genuine taijiquan instructor will be able to prove their skill to you quite convincingly.
Tuesday
Can I pick the subjects/topics that appeal to me?
Cherry picking has serious drawbacks.
Our syllabus offers a balanced, step-by-step approach to gaining a thorough and comprehensive understanding of tai chi.
Emphasising the parts that you like best or omitting the aspects you do not care for is self-indulgent and will lead to major gaps of knowledge and skill.
Consider: you want to learn French but you have no interest in verbs... You want to be a chef but do not care to chop... You seek to drive a car but do not like to turn left...
See how ridiculous this seems?
Our syllabus offers a balanced, step-by-step approach to gaining a thorough and comprehensive understanding of tai chi.
Emphasising the parts that you like best or omitting the aspects you do not care for is self-indulgent and will lead to major gaps of knowledge and skill.
Consider: you want to learn French but you have no interest in verbs... You want to be a chef but do not care to chop... You seek to drive a car but do not like to turn left...
See how ridiculous this seems?
Saturday
Who can study tai chi?
It is important to discriminate between taijiquan and tai chi for health.Anyone can study 'tai chi for health' and age is not an issue.
Taijiquan is not suitable for everyone.If you fancy discovering the martial skills (kung fu) you need to be realistic in terms of expectations.
We reserve the right to decline tuition:
• if we feel that a student is physically unable to study taijiquan safely• if an individual demonstrates the wrong attitude for taijiquan study
Taijiquan is not suitable for everyone.If you fancy discovering the martial skills (kung fu) you need to be realistic in terms of expectations.
We reserve the right to decline tuition:
• if we feel that a student is physically unable to study taijiquan safely• if an individual demonstrates the wrong attitude for taijiquan study
Friday
Our classes
We specialise in teaching:
• Tai chi chuan (martial art)
• Tai chi for health
• Qigong
We have been practicing since 1975, teaching since 1995.
Both of our instructors are registered with The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain.
• Tai chi chuan (martial art)
• Tai chi for health
• Qigong
We have been practicing since 1975, teaching since 1995.
Both of our instructors are registered with The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain.
Thursday
Perpetual beginners
Most tai chi students in the UK never get past the preliminaries of the art.
They lack the knowledge and/or the tuition opportunities to explore tai chi properly.
Training at a beginner's level long-term is not good for your health and wellbeing. A crude understanding of tai chi can potentially lead to injury.
To avoid this, students need to make progress in a healthy, safe, fun environment.
They must continually develop their insights, skills and awareness.
A proven, fully differentiated syllabus should be in place and the opportunity for each student to learn tai chi relative to their own ability.
They lack the knowledge and/or the tuition opportunities to explore tai chi properly.
Training at a beginner's level long-term is not good for your health and wellbeing. A crude understanding of tai chi can potentially lead to injury.
To avoid this, students need to make progress in a healthy, safe, fun environment.
They must continually develop their insights, skills and awareness.
A proven, fully differentiated syllabus should be in place and the opportunity for each student to learn tai chi relative to their own ability.
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