WELCOME TO AJC-TAI CHI & QIGONG

The main focus of the class is the Yang Style Long Form: a series of postures and movements.

Which help to create balance and flexibility of mind and body.

Any Tai Chi would be incomplete if it didn't cover the broader range of exercises and disciplines around the form.

In class we also cover

• Gung Jing: Energy building exercises which incorporate dynamic breathing and movement.
  
• Chi Gong (氣 功): breathing exercises, including the "Eight Treasures Chi Gong",
  that are also forms of meditation helping to build energy levels.
  
• Pushing Hands (推 手): two-man exercise which build awareness of the body structures used in the Tai Chi form.
  
• Tai Chi Combat: practical applications of Tai Chi as a martial art.
• Weapons forms of Tai Chi are also optionally taught in class. Currently we are learning the Sword Form.
  Additional Tai Chi forms will be added as the class progresses.
  

      Tai Chi can develop:

• Improved overall health
• Calmness and focus of mind
• Increased energy
• Suppleness, strength, co-ordination, balance and agility
• Relaxation and freedom from stress
• Strengthening of the internal functions of the body, such as the immune system,
  metabolic functions, and cardiovascular system.
  
• understanding of the body's processes and self-healing
• Harmony with the natural laws of human life
  

Practitioners of yoga, dance or other martial arts often find that the internal

and flowing approach of Tai Chi perfectly complements their own training.

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Sessions have a mixture of warm-up and breathing exercises, Tai Chi Form, Chi – Kung & Qigong.

Form work:

The Tai Chi forms are sequences of flowing movements, generally lasting between five and twenty minutes.

Students first learn the Yang style 10-step Short Form.

This forms the basis of the beginners’ providing a strong foundation for learning the full 16 step then 24 step and then the 108 Long Form in later class.

Qigong:

Our students learn a variety of easy but highly effective Qigong exercises, Breathing, 7 Chi Circulation, 5 wu-chi as well as standing meditation.

Which all contribute to improving health and developing awareness of the body’s energy.

Warm-up, Conditioning, Basic stepping and Stance:

Warm-up and conditioning, basic stepping exercises, including Tai Chi Walking, and the basics of stance and body mechanics. These give a complete picture to give a well-rounded and satisfying introduction to Tai Chi.

Advanced training:

Students studying with Ajc-TaiChi & Qigong Health-Fitness Ltd, can progress their training through workshops and other classes.

Health problems or disabilities?

Most people can practice Tai Chi & Qigong in spite of handicap or ailment, even those with advanced chronic conditions or those who are confined to a wheel chair.

Numerous illnesses have been shown to improve with the regular practice of the set and associated exercises.

Always check both with the instructor and your personal doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Qigong:

Qigong is the foundation of Tai Chi, wherein the student learns to move their body and feel their internal energy (Qi).

Through simple, relatively static movements, and the use of the will (Yi) to guide the energy as it flows through its natural channels (known as Jing Luo, or meridians).

Form:

This is a flowing sequence of movements, lasting from 5 to 20 minutes.

The Form very effectively develops physical skill and health and constitutes a very enjoyable kind of moving meditation.

Each movement can be practiced at increasing levels of depth as the student develops.

There are many variations of the Form within the different Tai Chi lineages and their schools, but they are all derived from the same original Form, and the principles of movement are always the same.

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