A combination of Tai Chi and Qigong for anyone, any age and any ability. The chair based classes are ideal for those with serious health problems such as Arthritis, M.E, Parkinsons, Diabetes, MS, heart problems etc. However you don’t have to have a problem, anyone can come along.

The classes include mobility and stretching, breathing exercises, simple Tai Chi and qigong exercises done both seated and standing to help invigorate the body mind.

The Chair based Tai Chi classes benefit people of all ages with balance, mobility and gentle stretching and calming of the breath and mind.

A step up from the Tai Chi Fundamentals class. You will learn to apply 'Internal Kung Fu methods' practically.

Lao Jia is considered by many as the oldest form of Tai Chi. This routine contains 74 movements and emphasises softness with an element of hardness. This routine contains large movements with light but steady footwork, a naturally erect posture and all movements are governed by the silk reeling principles. The Lao Jia Yi Lu form is accordind to the Chen family the routine which the Yang style and all other major styles of Tai Chi developed from.

Push Hands is the first step for students learning the martial aspects of Tai Chi. On a basic level, it involves two people moving together with their arms in contact.

The exercises consist of sticking, twining actions, designed to develop sensitivity, balance, and awareness of yours and your opponent's body. It helps develop a sense of how small forces can overcome stronger forces.

In Chen Tai Chi, push hands can be practised on a number of levels to help develop martial abilities. The exercises can be practised hard and fast, or soft and slow.

Through regular practise the exercises can be performed faster and with relaxed strength. The emphasis is to unbalance, lock, or throw your partner.

Push hands is a lot more than fixed patterns and unbalancing drills its like a whole a system in itself. It is seen as a bridge between forms and free fighting in many Tai Chi circles.

Its not a class or workshop just a place where guys and gals can come and play push hands and exchange ideas and practice. Iits open to all levels all styles, just leave your ego behind. As the saying goes 'it only takes four hands to learn' more hands the better in my opinion.

San Da also known as Sanshou literally means “free fighting” or “free hand” and is a Chinese martial art (Kung Fu). San Da consists of kicking, punching, locking and throwing/grappling techniques. The techniques used in San Da are taken from traditional Chinese martial arts (Kung Fu). San Da techniques are efficient and practical emphasising realistic fighting application.

San Da training is physically demanding which helps to develop and improve fitness, stamina, flexibility, weight loss, power and strength. It is suitable for men and women.

Silk reeling is the principal method of movement within Chen Tai Chi. It is considered the essence of Tai Chi as a whole and helps develop health, relaxation, and martial abilities. Silk reeling exercises involve continuous rounded and spiral movements utilising the whole body. The continuous movements loosen the joints and develop relaxation, efficiency of movement, and whole body power.

The key to practising silk reeling correctly is to allow the whole body to move from the centre of the body (the dantien). The attributes gained from silk reeling practice are applicable to everything in Tai Chi. Mastering silk reeling is mastering Tai Chi. If you have the time, it's always worth practising silk reeling whenever you practice Tai Chi. Through doing this you will gain a holistic understanding of your own body's movement and what to work on next.

Standing Meditation or Zhan Zhuang literally means "standing post".

It's a training method in which static postures are held to develop correct structural alignment, to develop efficiency in movement and allow maximal strength for martial applications. When combined with Qigong breathing exercises it helps to develop deep levels of relaxation and body awareness, and helps remove blockages and increase circulation of internal energy (Qi).

This practice has many health benefits such as improving posture, calming the mind, and improving breathing patterns.

The foundation classes focus on the basics, come and learn how to step, shift weight correctly, understand the basics of standing meditation and qigong breathing exercises. All based around working through the Chen 8 form.

The Chen Tai Chi Eight Form is a great introduction to Chen Tai Chi and contains all the foundation blocks of advanced Tai Chi practice, while being possible to practice in a small space.

The form contains the five main postures, stances or movements of Chen Tai Chi. These are: Tai Chi Stance, Lazily Tying Coat, Single Whip, White Crane Spreads its Wings, and Diagonal Posture. While the form is short and the movements can be learned relatively quickly, the core concepts are exactly the same as the long forms. The essence of Chen Tai Chi is the five stepping methods and eight energies, principles and concepts which are very hard to learn and will take a long time. This form keeps the practitioner focussed on the essential mechanics, which are much more important to learn than memorising long routines.

The five stepping methods are: forwards, backwards, stepping to the right and to the left, and learning to keep your root. These steps are used when moving from position to position in the form. The eight energies or principles are: peng (ward off), lu (deflect), ji (squeeze/overcrowding), an (push), tsai (locking), li (splitting), zhou (elbow) and cou (shoulder/bumping). These methods can be found throughout each movement of the form.

A class where you learn what makes Tai Chi work for health and Kung Fu, re-educate your body the Tai Chi way!

If you want to wave your hands about, learn a set of choreographed moves and feel good about yourself, then this isn't the class for you!

The class will focus on Jibengong (basic/foundation) exercises and how to implement it into your form practice.

Don't be be mislead by the term foundation or basic, in fact these exercises are really hard to do correctly and are essentially advanced practice and take constant practice to understand and implement.

The classes will focus on:

• stretching
• Loosening and relaxing the joints
• opening and closing of the joints and body
• Correct stances
• Correct alignment and structure
• stepping correctly
• shifting weight correctly
• silk reeling and body mechanics
• Posture correction and Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation)
• foot to hand connection
• waist movement
• connecting the arms to the body and whole body movement
• Dantien movement
• Correct methods of breathing
• Mind/intention training and how it links to the form
• Develop whole body power and strength
• Develop internal power
• Fajing drills
• Rooting drills

These qualities and attributes are what make Tai Chi and without these essentials you will not have the most from your Tai Chi practice weather it be for health or martial.

A combination of Tai Chi and Qigong suitable for all ages and all fitness abilities. The Tai Chi for Health classes consist of warm up exercises which increase mobility, strength of the joints and gentle stretching. Qigong breathing and Silk reeling exercises to help improve breathing and relax the body and mind. All exercises in the class can be done seated. The classes usually conclude with self massage and Tai Chi/qigong meditation.

If you are intrested in learning how Tai Chi Chuan works as a martial art, then this is the class for you.

The Tai Chi Kung Fu classes will cover all things martial related to Tai Chi and internal martial arts.

The classes will cover correct structure, footwork and striking. Joint locks, throws and take downs. Push hands and sensitivity training. Conditioning exercises for strength and endurance.

The classes aim to develop Tai Chi Kung Fu and how to use it practically, there will be different types of sparring introduced throughout the classes to develop kung Fu.

The classes are suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced and are ideal if you want to learn a new skill, have fun and get fit!

Weapons training is an important part of Chen Tai Chi training, each weapon trains and reinforces different aspects of Tai Chi skill. Weapons taught are the sword, sabre, pole, spear, halberd and fan.

The focus of this class is on the famous stand up grappling skills of Chen Style Tai Chi. A huge emphasis is placed on applying the skills and applications gained from the sensitivity drills of push hands and two man drills in to wrestling with resistance. This class is ideal for those who want a good physical work out, to compete in push hands competitions or just wanting to improve on other martial skills.

Qigong (pronounced "chi gung") means to cultivate energy and is practised to improve physical, emotional and mental health, increase energy, vitality and overall well-being. It can loosely be translated as the attainment of Qi.

Qi is the life force or vital energy which flows through all things in the universe and is essential for health. Gong is the accomplishment or skill which is attained through hard work.

Qigong exercises involve meditation, deep breathing, gentle movements and light stretching to stimulate the body, mind and the cultivation of internal energy or Qi. In the Qigong classes we teach the 8 pieces of silk brocade, 5 Animal Qigong, Yi Jin Jing Qigong and Six Healing Sound’s Qigong.

The Xin Jia routines were created by Chen Fake (1771-1853) in Beijing, according to stories he added more martial material to the Lao Jia routines as he thought the Lao Jia training was lacking. Chen Zhoukui (1921-1981) the son of Chen Fake, carried on his father's tradition and took his Kung Fu back to the Chen Village. He taught the residents (Chen Zhenglei and the other 3 tigers of Chen Tai Chi) his frame of Kung Fu. It was a lot different to what they were training so named it New Frame and what they were learning old frame.

The major differences between what we call the new frame (Xin Jia) and the old frame (Lao Jia) is the new frame contains more Fajin that is executed over short distances, contains relatively more tight and refined silk reeling, it is performed in a lower stance and the body method is different.

Yi Jin Jing exercises involve stretching, bending, flexing and twisting of the limbs and spine to increase muscular and joint flexibility and strength. The exercises stimulate the spinal nerve cords and also exercise and stimulate the internal organs to improve their function.