I am often contacted by people looking to deal with a medical issue – things like a bad back, arthritis, Parkinsons or other conditions – they may have read that Tai Chi is good for it on the internet or even been recommended by their doctor. Please be aware that in my view Tai Chi does not “cure” anything  – but it can be a very useful way of creating space and learning skills for the person to heal themselves.

We can work on good posture for example to relieve stresses in the structure and so enable the person to find a way of moving/living that is comfortable. We may be able to work on patterns of movement that require less reliance on tension for fine motor control thus reducing reliance on specific neuro-muscular controls.

As I try to explain to all my students – please learn to look after yourself – Tai Chi practice can offer the tools for you to learn about embodied movement – it is up to the individual to learn those skills.

Development of Tai Chi movement involves regular practice of simple exercise patterns working with gravity to encourage light, smooth body use. These exercises are derived from the work of many teachers over the last 400 years and are often associated with the form/s practiced by the teacher passing on these exercises. Tai Chi principles of relaxation, movement from the centre, and connectedness, should be considered at all times, unless one has a particular purpose such as in stretching, or for energy work (Chi Kung) or to develop body awareness through breathing.

It is worth noting that Chen style Tai Chi is often referred to as “hard / soft” and especially encourages the development of softness according to the Taoist  Yin/Yang model. A half relaxed “sung” body state is referred to.

We aim to be relaxed, loose, comfortable, with good natural breathing, co-ordinated, balanced, fluid, grounded and light. Encapsulated in the saying “loose, limber, bounce and shake”.

Once this is habitual then we can be this way all the time.

Let us consider that there are two ways our body may be moved:

– by ourselves using muscles, tendons etc this may be called active or “hard” movement ( since we actively carry it out and our muscles become hard when they contract).

– and movement by outside forces like gravity or training partners, while we are relaxed,  this may be referred to as passive since it is something done to us.

If we combine these two then we see the possibilities of Tai Chi  – this is often referred to as ” internal power” and therefore called an internal art since we are internally regulating the balance between the two types of movement. In order to do this we refer to the Tai Chi principles of relaxation, central control and body connection.

I am looking forward to returning next week on Thursday 23rd Feb to the beautiful surroundings of the Swiss Garden at Shuttleworth where we are now practicing each month – beginners are very welcome – please see here for the events booking.

The class runs from 10.30 to 11.30 am on the lawn by the Swiss Cottage – or in the Garden Room if the weather is too wet. We start with some loosening movement and simple pattern exercises then go on to the Tai Chi form which the class is picking up a little at a time.

Our annual Tai Chi Festival – held on World Tai Chi and Chi Kung Day – is always on the last Saturday of April – so in 2023 it will be on 29th April from 10.00 to 4.00pm at the Shefford Community Hall, just off the High Street next to the chip shop at SG17 5AX.

This is our 6th year and we are delighted to again invite local martial arts and alternative therapy practitioners for demonstrations, sample treatments and simply for a chat with visitors ( there is no charge to participate and entry is free of charge). If you are a local group that would fit within the alternative health and martial arts description and would like to do a demonstration, please contact Ian.

Please note that students for the Wednesday class at the Weatherley Centre should enter by the side fire door no earlier than 2.00pm

I have just listened to this on BBC Sounds – an excellent piece endorsing Tai Chi for balance, heart health and brain health. Well worth a quick listen!

This year I thought I would open the invitation process a little wider to other local martial arts and alternative therapy groups. If you would like to demonstrate and meet local people who may be interested in your activity then please contact me. There is no charge to participate or to visitors who come to watch.

I will consider anything that comes under the broadly martial arts or alternative therapy banner – participants will get a defined slot to demonstrate, offer a taster or present a talk on their favorite subject.