About Us
CHARMOUTH TAI CHI groups have been running since 2004 and now have five regular weekly classes in Charmouth, Dorset. Sessions consist of Qigong exercises followed by instruction in Yang style Tai Chi form.
NOTE; 2012 SPRING EQUINOX CELEBRATION AT 0700 TUESDAY 22ND MARCH - CHARMOUTH EAST BEACH - ALL WELCOME
Mondays at The Youth Club Hall, Wesley Close
10.00 am Continuation Class
NEW CLASS FROM 12TH SEPTEMBER 2011
11.30 AM Beginners - this class is now full. If you wish to join a Beginners Group, please contact me to see what can be done.
Tuesdays at The Village Hall, Wesley Close
7.00 pm Continuation
EVENING BEGINNERS CLASS PLANNED TO START AFTER EASTER 2012. Watch this space for details.
Wednesday at The Youth Club Hall
10.00 am Continuation
11.30 am 1ST CONTINUATION GROUP..
BEGINNERS
Beginners Classes introduce newcomers to the basic qigong and tai chi moves, safety and some of the history and theory behind the practices before embarking on their tai chi journey. Students from any Continuation groups are welcome to drop into this group to "brush up on their basics."
SPRING TERM 2012 BEGINs W/C Monday 9TH January 2012.
Half term - w/c 13th February
EASTER BREAK -ws/c 2nd, 9th and 16th April
SUMMER TERM STARTS - w/c 23rd April 2012
Further classes are opened as and when required.
Private sessions provided to help students catch up with a class or to further their practice
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Useful DVDs for home practise:
Paul Lam - The 24 Forms*. An excellent source to practice with
Professor Li Deyin - Taiji Kung Fu Fan - available as above
Paul Crompton - The (Chen Man Ching) Short Form (Yang). This is currently only available on VHS (not DVD) and is useful as a reminder of the "choreography" of the basic Short Form.*
Angus Clark - Move For Your Life - 21 Tai Chi and Qigong Exercises for Vitality & The Moutain Top Qigong. Most of the exercises on this DVD were introduced at Angus's day workshop with us. From Living Movement website and Now available also from Amazon.*
CDs used as background to Qi Gong exerciese:
Elements of Rejuvenation - Qi Gong Energy Healing*
Mantra - John Richardson with Dwaraka (New World Music)*
Temple in the Forest - Higher Consciousness Music by David Neagle (New World Music)*
Buddhist Chants & Peace Music - Music for Reflection & Relaxation from the Far East*
Delicate Touch
Sacred Gift
The Journey Series, Volume 1, Healing
and other Cds by Neil H (available from website Neil H Music where you can hear tracks before you buy))
Useful links
About Qigong (Chi kung )
CHI - most easily described in words as "life force"- is the essential energy for a healthy life. In the Qigong exercises performed in these sessions, emphasis is given to relaxed movement and gentle but controlled breathing with complete concentration on the moment. With slow flowing repetitions of the various graceful but strong exercises we aim to open our joints and meridian paths to free any blocked chi which can be the cause of disease (dis-ease) or pain and allow our chi to flow smoothly round the body increasing its strength and health. These graceful and enjoyable movements also relax, reduce stress, raise the spirits and boost the immune system. Practised regularly (ideally daily) they have an immensely beneficial effect on both body and mind.
The Chinese Health Qigong sets - Yi Jin Jing (Tendon-Muscle Strengthening Exercises) and Ba Duan Jin (the Eight Treasures) are taught together with the 18 qigongs. These exercises have been handed down from ancient China. and reintroduced by the Chinese Health Qigong Association. The earliest description of the exercises is found in a History of the Han Dynasy almost 2,000 years ago. A brocade painting was unearthed in the 1970s from an ancient tomb with illusrations of the prototypes of the basic movements of the current Yi Jin exercises. For more information see the Chinese Health Qigong website.
In a nutshell - qigong makes you feel good!
About Tai Chi (Chuan)
Tai Chi (Chuan) is a combination of mental and physical exercise based on Chinese martial art practices and taught in these classes as a holistic form of exercise but with attention to application where necessary. The movements are very precise and have many benefits including concentration, memory, breathing, strength (particularly in the legs), balance, flexibility, the immune system and over time regular practice helps to lower blood pressure. Built on the foundation of qigong, Tai Chi tends to raise the mood and regular Tai Chi players find that they end a session feeling both relaxed and energised. Great attention is given to the importance of performing the movements correctly and therefore safely.
Yang style is taught in these classes starting with the Beijing 24 Forms and, in some groups, also practising the Cheng Man Ching short form and with introduction to a simple fan form.
The movements are practised to a suitable calming musical background where appropriate.
About the Instructor
Pam Ladd - a tai chi devotee for over 20 years having studied with several very experienced teachers in the UK and other European countries. Still training and increasing own knowledge - the tai chi journey never ends! Qualifed as Instructor at Training Courses specifically for the Chinese Health Qi Gong exercise sets. Trained for 6 years at Tai Chi Caledonia and in August 2009 visited Shanghai for the International Health Qi Gong Festival for competition and workshops. October 2010 to Beijing for further training and again in October 2011. Taught in Camberley, Surrey, for about 2 years before moving to Charmouth in 2003. Certified Instructor for the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain. Fully insured.
