People sometimes come to me to practice Tai Chi and Qi Gong because they have health problems. Some struggle with their balance, painful joints, back problems, immobility, tiredness, depression, Arthritis, Parkinson's, or they just want to get stronger and develop their muscle and tendon strength and increase their bone density. These Arts are often prescribed by Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine to help slow or even prevent many medical conditions.

In this workshop, we will start at the beginning. We will look at how to stand. How to the align the spine and joints in a way that enables us to stand comfortably, remain calm and to gently express force through the body.

When the body is correctly aligned and relaxed, then the breath will naturally sink down into the lower belly, to the center. We will look at how to link the mind, breath and the body so that they work in harmony and finally, we will learn a set of movements that are famous in Tai Chi, known as ’Grasping the Sparrows Tail’.

The effects of Tai Chi and Qi Gong are far reaching and have the potential to greatly change our lives for the better. With practice, the mind becomes more calm, able to focus and stay comfortably within the body. The breath settles, deepens and sinks down into the lower belly to the center known as the Dan Tien. The body transforms!

We learn to push the breath through the body, we lower our center of balance and become more stable, we release the tension imbedded in the muscles and connective tissues, this allows the skeletal frame to open and for us to heal old and persistent injuries. The strength in our muscles, tendons and bones increase and our energy levels rise, we have more vitality and are more present.

This introduction to Tai Chi & Qi Gong workshop is open to people of all ages, fitness levels and to beginner and advanced practitioners.

• Saturday 12th April 11.00 – 13.30 in Studio 1

Investment: £35 for members

£45 for member guests

Minimum of 5 to run