The class started in September 2023 at the Addison Rd Medical Practice. Now, after 3 years and a few changes of rooms for practice, the class moves to the Our Lady & St George Church Hall on Shernhall St, adjacent to the Church at the corner of Addison Rd and Shernhall St, Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30pm The new location will enable the class, first nurtured at the GP surgery, to grow the number of students actively participating in preventive health care through tai chi and health qigong training.
This class is suitable for and open to beginners. Learn ancient Qigong energy exercises, Yang-style Tai Chi (beginner forms, Yang 8, Beijing 10, Yang 16 and Yang 24-steps). Students who complete these forms can then progress to learn weapons forms – Yang 32-step straight sword (jian), Taiji Kung Fu Fan, as well as Chen-style hand form tai chi (beginner form Chen 18-step) and Sun style hand form tai chi (Sun 13 and 38-step). The sword class is 30-minutes before the full class (6:00 – 6:30pm), and students can expect to learn basic sword techniques before proceeding with learning Yang 32-step sword form.
Yang style tai chi is characterised by flowing grace, big circular motions, subtle waist movements and attention to shifting of weight and balance. Chen style tai chi is the oldest form and is characterised by dynamic energy and fa jin (explosive energy – foot stomps and kicks) intersperesed with flowing movements. Sun style tai chi is a more compact form, movements are generally small, and is the basis of the Tai Chi for Health series created by Dr Paul Lam (eg, Tai chi for arthritis, diabetes, etc).
Please wear loose clothing, appropriate to the weather, trainers or plimsolls, and bring water for hydration.
The class is taught by Bel Calaguas, trained at Dao Lu since 2015 and a Level 2 Instructor, trained at the Deyin Taijiquan Institute and the British Health Qigong Association. She is a member of Dao Lu’s Board of Directors.
Dao Lu thanks the Management of Addison Rd Medical Practice, especially Dr Jan Crofton and the Patient Participation Group, especially its chair, Patrick Morgan for facilitating the idea of Active Health Care in the GP surgery through a tai chi/qigong class in the premises.