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Cheltenham

Tai Chi

Status:Active, open to new members
Group leader:
When: Fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons 2:15 pm-4:00 pm
Venue: Prestbury Women's Institute Hall

About tai chi

There is evidence that tai chi (name variations include taiji, t'ai chi chuan ...) was being practised as a martial art in China as early as the 13th century. Today there are several 'styles' of tai chi which share the same basic principles, but vary in the way some of the moves are formed. Practised mainly for health and well-being nowadays, some schools and styles of tai chi are still developed for martial application. Chen is the oldest of the styles (17th century): it has a lower stance and incorporates fast as well as the characteristic slow movements. Yang style is the most common and familiar: it's the one seen in parks in China. Sun style was developed at the start of the 19th century with the specific aim of improving health and physical well-being.

The slow, graceful Yang and Sun style moves may appear simple and effortless, but patience and concentration are needed to perform them fully and correctly, and to gain the most benefits.

The Tuesday Tai Chi group aims and content

The aim of the group is to enjoy learning to practise tai chi correctly, so we can benefit from its many physical and mental possibilities. In classes we learn forms (sequences) mainly derived from the Sun and Yang styles, but including some of the gentler Chen moves. We practise sequences of different lengths: the longest includes 44 moves, while the shortest includes just 3 (although each of these are repeated a number of times). The group is informal and welcoming. We meet fortnightly at the W I Hall in Prestbury. There is some on-site parking, and buses from Cheltenham pass the door.