TAIJI GROUNDWORKS
TAIJI AND QIGONG CLASSES
A tower of nine storeys begins with a heap of earth.
The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands.
Lao Tzu
TAIJIQUAN
AND
QIGONG
Taking a regular class in taijiquan and qigong can be an excellent way of keeping healthy and looking after body and mind.
Sometimes described as an active rest, taijiquan is a Chinese martial art most commonly practised to maintain health. Working through a taiji form requires concentration and focus, closing the mind down and shutting out stress. Surprisingly it can sometimes feel as intense as an aerobic workout.
Benefits that you may see after regular practice are:
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- Improved balance and co-ordination
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- Stronger muscles and tendons
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- Improved flexibility
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- Stabilisation of blood pressure, or lower blood pressure
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- Improved sense of well-being
Qigong, or 'energy work' exercises are designed to maintain health and typically comprise of a series of gentle movements and stretches that, when performed regularly, can improve flexibility and co-ordination.
A qigong sequence can help loosen the joints, stretch the tendons, warm the muscles and according to the system of Chinese thought, stimulate acupressure points in the body. Qigong exercises often also include attention to breathing.
Qigong can be very effective as exercise and serves to:
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- Elevate the heart rate without straining the body
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- Nourish and warm the body, joints and muscles
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- Bring awareness and balance to the body and mind
Working together in class ensures everyone can reach their potential in a safe and encouraging environment.
For those who fall in love with the art, Taiji Groundworks offers a solid foundation from which you can train further.
Qigong is the basis of the power of the Chinese martial arts, whether Gong Fu or the more subtle internal forms, such as Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua.
B K Frantzis
CLASSES
Regular classes: 55 mins.
All classes are suitable for adult beginners.
Contact Paula for more details.
ALL CLASSES CURRENTLY SUSPENDED
YANG STYLE TAIJI
Hand forms
10-step
16-step
24-step
Weapons
18 step fan
32 step straight sword
Yang broadsword
QIGONG
Ba Duan Jin
The Eight Brocades
Daoyin Baojin Gong
General Health Qigong
Qiang Tizhufei Jianshen Shu
Strengthen the Body to Support the Lungs
Zhan Zhuang
Pole Standing
ABOUT
Taiji Groundworks is led by Paula Moore who began her training over a decade ago in the Chinese martial art of xingyiquan.
After becoming interested in the connections between xingyi and Sun style taijiquan she moved to a focused study of Yang style taijiquan, taijijian (straight sword), taijidao (broadsword) and qigong.
Paula holds instructor-level membership of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (TCUGB) and is qualified to Practitioner level in the Art and Science of Neuro Linguistic Programming for Sport (ABNLP).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ...
Q. What is a typical class like?
A. We start with a gentle warm-up, followed by some qigong, moving on to practice of the taiji form and finishing with a cool down. Classes may vary according to students' needs.
Q. I’ve never done taiji before, will I be able to keep up in class?
A. All classes are suitable for beginners. There is no pressure to progress at a certain rate and you will find that you can work within your own range, asking questions so you can build up confidence.
Q. I’m nervous about exercising with a group of people, can I book a private lesson?
A. One of the most enjoyable aspects of taijiquan is practising with, and learning from, others. If you feel unsure about joining the group, contact the instructor to discuss your concerns.
Q. What should I wear to class?
A. Clothing that is comfortable and does not restrict your movements is best. Jogging bottoms, a loose-fitting t-shirt and flat-soled trainers would be ideal.
Q. I am interested in the martial applications of taijiquan. Will you cover this in your classes?
A. Whilst we may cover the principles of the martial applications in order to maintain the integrity of the form, the focus at Taiji Groundworks is not on the combat aspects of taijiquan.
Q. Are taiji and qigong safe to practise?
A. Both taijiquan and qigong are safe, low impact disciplines. As with any exercise regime, and particularly if you are pregnant or suffer from an existing health condition, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting out. Please ensure you have read the pre-exercise checklist before participating in a class.
Can’t find the answer to your question here? Get in touch below.
PRE-EXERCISE CHECKLIST
Keeping healthy and safe is essential!
Please review the following checklist and if you suffer or have suffered from any of the conditions listed, please consult your doctor to check suitability and bring a referral letter to your first class.
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Have you had any operations or injuries in the last year?
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Do you ever have pains in your chest?
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Do you often feel faint or have spells of dizziness?
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Are you receiving medication for any condition?
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Do you have high blood pressure?
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Do you suffer or have you ever suffered from a heart condition?
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Do you have a bone or joint problem, such as Arthritis, Osteoporosis, back or knee problems?
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Is there anything else we should know about your health?