Tai Chi for Everyone
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Resources
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Tai Chi & Chi Kung Forum for Health
A network aiming to widen the availability of Tai Chi and Chi Kung to anyone, regardless of age, physical or mental ability or condition of health. Offers training courses to Tai Chi teachers and Health Professionals.
Tai Chi Finder www.taichifinder.co.uk Everything you want to know about Tai Chi, finding a teacher, videos, DVDs and much more.
Tai Chi for Everyone aims to make Tai Chi available to people who have not usually had access to its benefits
Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art which also provides great health benefits. Developed in China over many hundreds of years, Tai Chi,is very popular with older people in China who know how useful it is to keep the body supple and mobile, and maintain a healthy, active life. Many of the great masters of Tai Chi originally took up the art to help improve poor health.
Just to watch someone playing Tai Chi is restful and relaxing. A feeling of calm and peace settles as you watch the graceful movements. Imagine then the experience of taking part.
From my experience, the benefits of Tai Chi include:
· Increased energy levels
· Improved general physical well being
· Sleeping better, waking feeling more refreshed
· Feeling more peaceful and relaxed
· Reduced stress and increased confidence
· Improved flexibility
· Better coordination and balance
Literally anyone can benefit from Tai Chi Chuan, even those who have limited physical movement. Exercises can be adapted to suit each student so that everyone can participate.
Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends Tai Chi for a number of health problems. Now, recent medical studies by doctors practicing Western Medicine are also showing clear benefits. For example, a recent study of women with osteoarthritis found that after only 12 weeks, the tai chi group had significantly less pain and stiffness, and improved ability to perform daily tasks (like climbing stairs), as well as better balance. See Resources for more information about research on Tai Chi and health.
Tai Chi Based Exercise Training can be provided for Special Schools staff and those working with older people in various settings.
Alison first began playing Tai Chi Chuan in 1979 and now specialises in teaching Tai Chi for people with health and mobility problems, and for children and young people with special needs.
Alison trained originally in Yang style Tai Chi Chuan with Alan Peck, founder of the Natural Way Tai Chi School. Since then, she has studied with a number of teachers specialising in tai chi for people with disabilities. A qualified teacher, Alison also works as a researcher, consultant and coach. See www.empoweringmanager.com for more information.
If you have any doubt about whether you should take part in our Tai Chi classes, please consult your doctor or other medical practitioner first. If you or your practitioner would like further information about Tai Chi, I will be delighted to speak with you.
"Tai Chi helps me to be more flexible"
"I have found that gentle exercise can invigorate you more than aerobic exercise"
"It has helped very much with balance"
"Tai Chi is very gentle, but it has made me much more agile and sure of myself"
"I enjoy the stillness, it has given me more awareness"
"I’ve found that I’m capable of moving slowly which I’ve always found beforehand VERY HARD"