Like probably all Tai Chi instructors I have been teaching a lot of people who are completely new to Tai Chi – and I have come to recognise that often the “newness” of the experience can be quite mysterious to people – so I have put a few guidance notes on the main website in the hope that they will be helpful for those just starting – click here for notes.
I am delighted that we are now holding a daytime beginners class at The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living as part of their Community Program - which also includes Group singing and Latino dance.
The Tai Chi class is on Monday mornings at 11.30 to 12.30 when we do some gentle exercises aimed at improving balance and mobility – and generally enjoy the community environment of the centre - for me at least this includes the now re-opened “Rosehill Cafe” which provides lovely food, excellent drinks - and banter if you are lucky!
Click here for more information
We were discussing this recently in one of my beginners classes – not that there was any doubt of the benefits of Tai Chi – but the class was looking for a way to encapsulate their thoughts.
It was of course different for everybody – but may I sugest that for most of us the main value is in what we learn about ourselves and how we work in all our facets. That in fact each person re-discovers for themselves the internal aspects using practice of the exercises and forms to experience, learn and develop ourselves. And that this is quite different for each of us, although seen externally as quite similar – each fish experiences the river differently but the water still flows downhill. Whether you are concerned about falls prevention or martial arts application this thread is common and crucial.
At The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living on Thursday evenings I am now teaching a beginners class at 7.00 and an improvers class following on at 8.30pm – contact the centre for info and registrations.
I am delighted that The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living have managed to arrange a measured trial of Tai Chi classes to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi related exercises on balance and by extension on the likely risk of falls. Quality of life, longevity and cost to health career stakeholders are all major issues. The trial covers June into September – I look forward to the classes and seeing the outcome. This is based on a previous very well received 8 week trial coupled to Moving Mindfully classes run by Judy Hammond.
Building on my work with the Letchworth centre for Healthy Living I will be running classes in Shefford for people approaching their 60′s and for those already in their 60′s or older – these classes will cover Tai Chi exercises aimed at improving balance and mobility – simple, gentle exercise suitable for those feeling vulnerable to falls with a view to reducing the risk of falls in later life.
I will be running a short series of 4 beginners classes on a weekly basis at Aromatics Beauty and Holistic Treatments saloon in Baldock, starting on Monday June 13th – time is from 6.00 to 7.00pm. For further info contact Sam at pamper@aromaticsbaldock.com
From my experience most students begin Tai Chi knowing little more about it than the name – so I have put together an FAQ page on the Shefford Tai Chi website which covers such basics as “what is Tai Chi” leading to aspects of health and development.
Tai Chi has grown in the West being practiced as a martial art or as a way of dealing with physical or emotional problems – or for personal development. 
Thanks to the work of people like my own teacher Karel Koskuba and his teacher Master Chen Xiaowang ( shown above making corrections to my own posture ) we are fortunate that Tai Chi in the UK is now sufficiently mature that we can translate it’s workings into terms understandable to those brought up in a western social and educational system. For more info see www.sheffordtaich.org
