Slouching Tiger Tai Chi
Drop-in classes running weekly in Saltford
Image credit (Freepik www.freepik.com)
What is Tai Chi?
One of the ‘internal’ martial arts of China, Tai Chi Chuan (the full name of the art) promotes health and well-being. The most recognisable part of Tai Chi is known as 'the form' and is a slow, elegant series of movements that you find practiced in parks in China by groups of people of all ages.
Can I join the class?
Yes! Beginners are always welcome. It's a drop-in class so you don't have to pay for lessons in advance. £10 per lesson. We are located in Keynsham Combat Academy, which is at Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen on the A4 in Saltford, between Bristol and Bath, on a Friday 1-2pm. Details on our classes page.
What are the health benefits of Tai Chi?
Tai Chi Chuan has a profound effect on the overall health, posture and vitality of the practitioner. Tai Chi Chuan conditions the body and calms the mind; energy levels and mobility increase and the internal organs are massaged, enhancing their function. Regular practice of a Tai Chi routine can improve the mood, aerobic capacity, energy and stamina; enhance sleep quality, immune system; lower blood pressure; reduce joint pain and the risk of falls for older adults.
“Proper Tai Chi practice places certain demands on the body: The sinking of the weight, over time, tells the legs to add muscle and bone mass, while the turning of the body, in conjunction with deep abdominal breathing, ‘wrings out’ the organs, flushing blood out as they're compressed and allowing it to flow back in when the movement compresses another part of the torso. This flexing and unflexing reduces pockets of stagnation in the various organ systems.”
- Tai Chi Academy
We recommend that you read and watch the late Dr Michael Mosley's excellent "Just one thing" on the Surprising Health Benefits of Tai Chi, which include gaining better balance.
What style of Tai Chi/Qigong do you teach?
We teach the 'old Yang' style of Tai Chi, passed on from Master Lam Kam Chuen to Sifu Raymond Rand to our teacher, Graham. It contains influences from many famous masters including Sun Lu Tang and Ku Yu Chang. It’s an interesting form that is full of character and has great benefits. It's a medium-frame style of Tai Chi (not too big and not too small), and is very circular in its movements. See the article on our lineage for more details, or watch a video of Graham doing the form.
Which Tai Chi organisations are you a member of?
Graham is qualified to teach through, and a proud member of the Yongquan Martial Arts Association (YMMA).
