What  is  T'ai-Chi  Ch'uan?

T'ai-chi Ch'uan is an ancient Chinese movement form.  It is rather like a very precise dance, and is slow and meditative - unlike the martial arts. Once the movements are learned, it can be performed from start to finish in about thirty minutes.  It takes around a year of regular practice to learn the movements reasonably well - but it takes a lifetime to perfect them !

What can it do for me ?  T'ai-chi Ch'uan has many beneficial effects, both on the body and on the mind.  The flowing movements help to relax tense muscles and to loosen stiff joints.  You will find your movements becoming more graceful and coordinated as you practise, and this will be carried over into your everyday life.

Concentration is needed to remember the sequence of movements and to perform them accurately - even after years of practice. This helps free the mind from the problems and demands of modem living.

Is there any more to it than exercise ?
Tai-chi Ch'uan also has a deeper symbolic level, which makes it fascinating and absorbing.  Many of the individual movements have names associated with animals or birds, for example “step back and repulse the monkey”,  “big bird spreads its wings” and "ride the tiger".

These creatures each have a very special significance in Chinese philosophy, and they represent key features and events in our lives.  In addition, the entire sequence of movements from start to finish can be compared to the course of life from birth to death, and this adds a further dimension to practice.

Tai-chi Ch'uan is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

Courses
Courses in the Long Yang Form start in January each year and run for about 46 weeks during which "the form" (the sequence of movements) is learnt.   Two classes will be running from January. The Monday morning class runs from 10:00 until 11:15. The Tuesday evening class runs from 20:00 until 21:15. There is normally a demonstration meeting prior to classes starting. Contact Sanjee for details.

The classes are held at the Leisure Club of the beautiful Selsdon Park Hotel.

 Please wear loose, comfortable clothing, and flat-soled shoes, socks, or bare feet.

Fee for Leisure Club members  £28.00 for five classes.
Fee for non-members £30.00 for five classes.
 

Phone Sanjee on 020-8657 8434