Tai Chi

Tai Chi is good for everyone. It has been shown to prevent falls, improve mobility and balance and reduce pain in arthritis.

We offer Tai Chi classes for complete beginners and those with experience.

Our Tai Chi classes have a maximum of twelve students and are led by Chris, our holistic Physiotherapist.

Tai Chi

The roots of tai chi were established thousands of years ago in China, from which it has evolved into 4 main styles (Chen, Yang, Sun and Wu). Each style has distinct characteristics and set sequences of movements, which are familiar to tai chi practitioners throughout the world.

Each style has distinct characteristics and set sequences of movements, which are familiar to tai chi practitioners throughout the world.

Is tai chi good for me?

Tai chi is good for every body and shown to have many health benefits in clinical research studies. Founder of the Tai Chi for Health Institute,  Dr Paul Lam, found that practicing tai chi helped his arthritis symptoms. He has since developed several tai

He has since developed several tai chi for health programs to make the benefits of tai chi accessible for all.

Although the programme has been shown in research to be beneficial for its use within Arthritis, the programme is also beneficial for anyone.

Tai Chi

The roots of tai chi were established thousands of years ago in China, from which it has evolved into 4 main styles (Chen, Yang, Sun and Wu). Each style has distinct characteristics and set sequences of movements, which are familiar to tai chi practitioners throughout the world.

Our Tai Chi Classes

Our tai chi classes are based on the Sun and Yang styles and take place on Thursday mornings at Petersham Community Hall.

The classes are instructed by our holistic physiotherapist, Chris Davenport. He is certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute to instruct their tai chi programs. Each class includes warm-up and cool down exercises. The tai chi movements are taught in small steps, making them easy to learn. You will learn just one or two new tai chi movements at each class during the first term.

Each new term runs for a course of 12 weeks, to ensure attendees have a consistent period of time to learn the tai chi movements. Once attendees have learnt the movements; we offer a second term on a pay as you go basis, to help with practice and integrating tai chi principles.

Which class should I join?

Class sizes are limited to 12 participants. Previous tai chi experience isn’t necessary. You just need to wear clothing that you can move around in easily and gym shoes. The Yang style classes have movements which involve standing on one leg. This is good to challenge balance however; you might prefer to join the Tai Chi for Arthritis class if you’re unsteady when standing on one leg.

Tai Chi for Arthritis (Part 1)

This class is based on the Sun style of tai chi. This class is beneficial for people who might not be able to do other types of exercise, due to their arthritis symptoms. The Tai Chi for Arthritis program has been shown in research studies to help prevent falls, improve mobility, balance and reduce pain in people who have arthritis.

Tai Chi for Arthritis (Part 2)

Once attendees are confident with the movements taught in the first part of the Tai Chi for Arthritis program and are becoming familiar with the tai chi principles, they can learn more advanced movements in this part 2 class, which follows on from the first part of the program.

Yang Style 

Yang style is a graceful and flowing style of tai chi, which is suitable for most people. We do advise however, that people with knee pain consider the tai chi for arthritis program as an alternative. This is due to some of the movements involving turning on the foot, which can increase strain at the knee when learning the movements.

Class cost and Times

The cost of a course of classes is £60 for a 12 week term. Then £5 for each class on a pay as you go basis, which we ask you to prebook to ensure your place in that class. We have three classes on Thursday mornings which run at the following times:

• 10:00AM – 11:00AM Tai Chi for Arthritis (Part 1)
• 11:15AM – 12:15PM Yang Style Tai Chi
• 12:30PM – 1:30PM Tai Chi for Arthritis (Part 2)

Please contact reception to book your place on a course.

How easy is it to learn?

The classes have been designed to be taught in a step-wise manner, breaking down the tai chi movements into smaller steps, whilst learning the sequence. You’ll learn one or two new movements each week as we build the routine, practicing what we’ve learnt before.

When can I start?

Please contact us – depending on your level and availability you may be able to join a class after a 1:1 individual session. Alternatively we offer taster sessions throughout the year.

Please contact the clinic if you’d like to know more about our tai chi and programs and to enrol on a course.

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