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ART OF CHANGES TAI CHI CHUAN
Tai Chi chuan (Or Taijiquan) has so much to offer for your physical and mental health & well being as well as being great fun. Why not come and learn the art and see for yourself
Tai Chi is a complete system and art which people can draw from what they wish. Some of the activities included in classes are:
Qigong
Energy cultivation exercises. An ancient form of exercise for body and mind. Qigong (pronounced chee gong) consists of slow flowing movements similar to Tai Chi & with many of the same beneficial effects. Qigong movements are repeated rather than being part of a sequence as with Tai Chi and tend to be linked with the breathing
Hand Form
A series of flowing, connected movements which, as well as being relaxing and fun to perform, have a large range of health benefits - see "Why Tai Chi" page.
More advanced students often also wish to learn the weapons form sequences of movements (Broadsword, straight sword & spear) which I teach to students with the appropriate level of experience if requested
Partner exercises
Pushing hands drills are 2 person sequences of movements which flow back and forth which are devised to train certain skills and qualities.
Self defence applications
Every movement in the hand form has a self defence meaning and it is helpful to understand them for various reasons. These are looked at in a light hearted & fun way
What some students say about the classes
“I trained in Tai Chi off and on for a few years before I began Damien’s Goudhurst class. That was over two years ago and since then my training has become consistent, for one simple reason - Damien is the best teacher I’ve ever had. I have progressed far beyond what I ever achieved previously - hand forms, weapon forms and practical applications all taught with passion, patience and professionalism. I also take private lessons with Damien to really delve into the finer points and fully explore the Wudang style. Today I’m stronger and healthier for it!.”
Sinead Spearing, 2019
“I Attend Damiens class in Wadhurst on Friday mornings, I find Two Chi relaxing and calming and a great way of doing gentle exercise which has helped my joint pain. Damien has endless patience, he is always encouraging and positive and has a lovely gentle sense of humour.”
Julia Pointer, 2019
“I started Tai Chi with Damien almost a year ago and I think it’s safe to say that despite my appalling balance, I am totally hooked. I’m loving it!
The classes are interesting and engaging, sometimes challenging, but always fun! Damien’s relaxed and patient style of teaching makes them a pleasure to attend.”
Amanda Baird, 2019
I have had the fortune to study with Damien in both classes and private lessons, indoors and out. Damien brings not only extensive knowledge and a personalised approach to his teaching but humour and patience along with a continuing journey of his own to improve both as a teacher and practitioner of Tai Chi – I could come up with a lot of superlatives but it’s something you need to experience for yourself."
Claire K Hobbs, 2019
SOME REASONS PEOPLE LEARN TAI CHITo strengthen and energise the bodyTo settle and quiet the mind
A subtle and effective form of self defenceMany people have used Tai Chi as a highly effective accompaniment to physiotherapy*SOME BENEFITS OF TAI CHIImproved
strength, balance, mobility and co-ordination
Releasing stress,
improving memory and concentration, having funGreater energy, increased health and vitality in the whole body from muscles to organs & bones
MORE EXTENSIVE LISTThe following list of Tai Chi Benefits was compiled by an organisation in Germany called Qialance showing source data/studies relating to each claim. Shown here are only the general benefits but there are also similar lists of benefits relating to specific medical conditions and also to benefits for seniors which are not included below:
- Increased strength both in lower and upper extremities and also in the core muscles of the back and lower abdomen
- More flexibility (Upper and lower body)
- Improved balance and reduced falls
- Improved posture which can result in less wear and tear on the joint muscles and less back pain
- Increased energy and stamina
- Improved posture which can lead to less wear and tear of the joint muscles and less back pain
- Depending on the speed and size of the movements, Tai Chi can provide some aerobic benefits
- Better cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure
- Other research points to a drop in cholesterol levels
- Beneficial effects on bone health
- Reduction in stress. People who practice Tai Chi recognise it's powerful effect on relaxation and concentration
- Higher self efficacy
- Psychological benefits, such as reducing anxiety, depression and overall better mood in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions
- Beneficial for cognition functions such as global cognitive ability, attention, learning, memory, language.
- Reduced mortality (Among men in Shanghai)
- This is approximately one third of the list but it's pretty fairly impressive all the same!
Increased strength both in lower and upper extremities and also in the core muscles of the back and lower abdomen
More flexibility (Upper and lower body)
Improved balance and reduced falls
Improved posture which can result in less wear and tear on the joint muscles and less back pain
Increased energy and stamina
Improved posture which can lead to less wear and tear of the joint muscles and less back pain
Depending on the speed and size of the movements, Tai Chi can provide some aerobic benefits
Better cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure
Other research points to a drop in cholesterol levels
Beneficial effects on bone health
Reduction in stress. People who practice Tai Chi recognise it's powerful effect on relaxation and concentration
Higher self efficacy
Psychological benefits, such as reducing anxiety, depression and overall better mood in both healthy people and those with chronic conditions
Beneficial for cognition functions such as global cognitive ability, attention, learning, memory, language.
Reduced mortality (Among men in Shanghai)
This is approximately one third of the list but it's pretty fairly impressive all the same!
BRIEF HISTORY
Cutting a long story very short indeed....
The founder of Tai Chi is said to have been a 13th century Taoist sage by the name of Zhang Sanfeng. He lived in the Wudang mountain range in Northern China and created a martial art based on the principles of Yin & Yang both to promote health and longevity as well as a means of self defence which relies on harmonising rather than on one's physical strength.
Today many classes focus almost entirely on the health aspects of Tai Chi which is fine. However to have an understanding of the roots of the movements being performed enhances the experience and deepens the understanding of the art.
STYLES OF TAI CHI
Tai Chi Chuan (or Taijiquan) has 5 traditional styles: Yang, Wu, Sun, Chen & Hao as well as a number of styles derived from these. The system which I teach is known as Wudang (after the mountain range from which Tai Chi is said to have originated) and is from the Wu style passed from Wu Jian Quan & Wu Quanyou
SCHOOL
Tai Chi can be considered as the art of changes and this is the name of my particular school.
Classes
Find a class in your area or arrange personal tuition in a location of your choosing.
The next beginners morning class to start will be at Frant Village Hall
Tunbridge Wells
Bishops Down School
Monday 7-8:15pm (Advanced)
Wednesday 5:30-6:30 (Intermediate)
Wednesday 7-8pm (Beginner's started October 2024)
Rydal Dr, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9SU
From Culverden Down, turn off onto Coniston Avenue and then right onto Rydal Drive. On the road there are 2 Schools - you drive past Rose Hill School until you get to Bishops Down School at the end of Rydal Drive.
Tunbridge Wells
St Barnabas School
Tuesday 7pm (Beginners started October 2023).
Quarry Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EY.
Personal tuition
Your choice of venue
Your choice of time/date
Would you like to learn Tai Chi but can't find class time to suit your schedule?
Prefer to learn in a one to one format?
Do you want tailored tuition which suits your specific health and well-being goals?
Then maybe private Tai Chi tuition is right for you.
Tunbridge Wells
St Barnabas Church Hall
Monday 11:30 Beginners (Started April 2024)
Tuesday 9:30-10:30am advanced
Tuesday 11am-12 intermediate
Quarry Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EY
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Flimwell / Hawkhurst
Woodland Enterprise Centre
Wednesdays 9 -10:30am (Advanced)
Woodland Enterprise Centre Hastings Road Flimwell WADHURST East Sussex TN5 7PR
The Woodland Enterprise Centre is on the A21. The turning to the Centre is 1/4 mile south of the traffic lights at Flimwell, on the west side of the A21, and is immediately adjacent to Woodlands Garage / NTW Car Sales (Red Banners). The building is set back from the road on a short driveway which they share with Tate Fencing.
Bells Yew Green
Bells Yew Green Village Hall
Wednesdays 11:30 starting soon
Bells Yew Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9BJ
Wadhurst Commeration Hall
Thursdays 9:30-10:30am
Thursdays 11am-12 (Beginner's started October 2024)
Fridays 11-12 (Advanced)
High Street
Wadhurst
TN5 6AP
Frant
Frant Village Hall
Mondays 9:30-10:30 starting April 2025- contact for date
Frant Memorial Hall,
The Grn,
Frant,
Tunbridge Wells
TN3 9DR
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you. Call us now at 07876 494684 or send a message using the form below we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
