T’ai Chi

About T’ai Chi

T’ai chi is a gentle form of exercise, which is performed in a series of slow graceful meditative movements

Practising T’ai Chi helps to strengthen the body whilst relaxing and focussing the mind. It is an ancient Chinese martial art and is widely reputed to have the following health-enhancing benefits:

  • Develops good posture, balance and co-ordination
  • Increases stamina, flexibility and strength
  • Combats stress and encourages techniques to deal with stressful situations
  • Improves breathing
  • Improves clarity of mind
  • Relaxes and focuses the mind
  • Helps older people to build and maintain strength, minimising trips and falls
  • Helps to nurture a general sense of wellbeing
  • Improves sleep patterns after T’ai Chi practice

T’ai Chi can be practised by young and old alike. Students are always encouraged to work within their own limitations.

T’ai Chi is a martial art with multiple aspects to it. It is more than just a form of exercise, more than just a “dance.” It has a rich grounding in symbolism and ancient Chinese philosophy. Its benefits encompass mind body and spirit – indeed there is a focus in T’ai Chi on viewing everything “as a whole.”

When practised well, T’ai Chi can nurture a state of mind which is alert and agile yet relaxed, providing a certain clarity of thought. And applying the principles of T’ai Chi to everyday life can provide a warm, balanced, open-hearted approach to living and wellbeing.

The Form which Helen teaches is the T’ai Chi Chu’uan Yang Long Form.  Helen’s lineage can be traced back to the late Gerda (Pytt) Geddes.