Tai Chi Page

Tai Chi & Chi Kung

Chi Kung is the art of developing vital energy by breathing exercises with meditation and movement. It is relaxing and beneficial for everyone, clears the mind from stress and helps improve some ailments. Tai Chi distributes this energy around the body through movement, unblocking channels, creating a flow and directing negative energy away. There are various forms practised through different styles of Tai Chi such as Sun, Chen, Yang and Wu. They help to promote general well being and have the same ideals. Bac Loong Gar teaches all styles, but not necessarily at the same time. Tai Chi is a soft or internal martial art, the ‘mother of all styles’, but the applications are lethal and these may be taught to any student who desires it.

Daoist yoga is generally taught prior to the Chi Kung class to increase flexibility in a gentle way, using breathing exercise and the body’s own gravity, however some students prefer not to practise this and come along to the Chi Kung and Tai Chi class only. Either way, even without the yoga, many students agree the classes help them immensely.

Bob and Elaine with Master Dr Paul Lam at Steppinghill Hospital, Stockport.

Bob and Elaine attended Dr Paul Lam’s workshop for Tai Chi for Arthritis. This is the Sun style short form and were assessed on their ability to instruct safely and properly by Dr Lam, not only to their own students, but also for the benefit of severe arthritis sufferers. Much of the teaching is delivered to wheelchair uses and those unsteady on their feet, so no-one need feel excluded from learning Tai Chi. It was a very intensive, but enjoyable course, Bob and Elaine came away as certified instructors, but more importantly with knowledge in helping arthritis sufferers which can only be achieved with a hands on approach.

As well as teaching the applications of Tai Chi and the necessity of building the Chi (vital energy life force). Master Paul Lam also demonstrated forms from the Chen style which is a more explosive style of Tai Chi and the oldest. He was a competition winner in Beijing and his demonstration was mind blowing!

UK Authorised master trainer Lesley Roberts congratulating Bob prior to receiving certification from Dr Lam.

In 2007 Ellie Allen of Cornwall Care (Cornwall Council) approached us to ask if we would offer residents and staff a Tai Chi taster session. We happily obliged and on Monday 30 April, a group joined us at Newquay Sports Centre for a gentle relaxing class which was adapted to those who needed to stay sitting. Everyone enjoyed the experience and hopefully we set some of them on the road to inner tranquillity and peace. Our thanks to everyone who took part and to Ellie who arranged it all!

For the benefit of our students, Bob is a registered instructor and Elaine an assistant instructor with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain. This helps us keep updated with our instruction through workshops, information and offer insurance to any student who wishes it.

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