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    OUR CONSTITUTION

To teach and promote all aspects of the Martial Arts we practice.

From Healing to Defence.
Encompass all philosophies and beliefs into a whole system that brings depth, awareness and clarity to the practitioner.
To give challenges to our students and guide them with truth and love.
To always share our knowledge and experience unconditionally both traditional and modern.
To uphold our chosen styles and their intricacies to the best of our ability.
To make these practices accessible to all regardless of age or physical ability.
Always, whether instructor or student, embody the ethos of continual learning.
This is Tai Ji & Gong fu
 
 
What is Tai Chi ?
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese internal martial art that uses slow sets of body movements and controlled breathing to improve balance, flexibility, muscle tone, core strength and overall health.
When studied correctly Tai Chi can be used for self defence with devestating effect.
There are many styles of Tai Chi. The style of Tai Chi that we teach is Chen Style.
The Chen family style is the oldest and parent form of the five main tai chi chuan styles. It is third in terms of world-wide popularity compared to the other main taijiquan styles. Chen style is characterized by its lower stances, more explicit silk realing (Chan Si Jing) and bursts of power called Fa jin.

 
 
What is Qi Gong?
Qigong is an amazing energy producing Chinese movement technique that many doctors now recommend for relaxation, reducing stress and even helping the body to heal when sick. Regular Qigong practice can reduce pain, stress and the effects of sickness from the body.
Qigong combines focused concentration with simple movements and balanced breathing in a controlled way. It's simplicity makes it easy to learn and easy to do for most people. Qigong works with the body's energy or "Qi" (Sometimes called "Chi", which is pronounced "Chee"). In Chinese Medicine, there is only one cause of illness and that is congestion. Any practice or method which increases the flow of lifeforce energy, also naturally helps relieve congestion and therefore, is beneficial to health.
 
What is Wushu?
"Wushu" is the correct term for all Chinese martial arts therefore Kung Fu and Wushu were originally the same. During the last thirty years, Wushu in Mainland China was modernized so that there could be a universal standard for training and competing. In essence, much emphasis has been placed on speed, difficulty, and presentation. Consequently, Wushu has become an athletic and aesthetic performance and competitive sport, while "Kung Fu" or traditional wushu remains the traditional fighting practice. Taijiquan is a major division of Wushu, utilizing the body's internal energy or "chi" and following the simple principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft."
Youwill bepracticing Kung fu or traditional Wushu.
Art Work By
Assi Ben Porat
 
 

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“In Forms your body should move like the rhythmic flow of water on a river or like the rolling waves of the ocean”   -  Waysun Liao

 
Training Clothes
 
It is advised that you wear comfortable and  loose fitted clothes for the practice of Tai Ji & Qi Gong. It is more comfortable to wear flat training shoes. For Kung Fu, again, comfortable stretchy clothing suitable for  active and fast movement. It is advisable to wear some type of trainer or plimpsole.
 
 
We Provide Tai Chi and Kung fu shoes or t-shirts with our membership.
 
                                                        
 
    Feivue shoes available in black or white. T-shirt red with white design.
 
 
 

 
 
We are registered and insured by the BCCMA
British Council of Chinese Martial Arts. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What is "Chen Style" Tai Chi 
 
Tai chi  or taijiquan, is characterised by its soft and slow movements. Its techniques can be used for both defence, improving health and preventing disease.
Taijiquan is its common name or in English can be translated as “Supreme fist”, or “ultimate power” It has a long history in Chinese culture and therefore has many different styles. Here are a few

● Yang         

● Wu

● And Chen
Chen is the style we are are currently teaching.  Chen style tai chi is characterised by its Silk Reeling exersises (Chansi Jing) and explosive energy (Fajin) It has softness outside and hardness inside, but also hardness outside and softness inside. Its features are combinations of  movement and stillness. Close co ordination of will, body  and biological energy.
  
 
How Tai Chi can benefit
 your health 
 

● Improve your health and slow the aging process

● Increase immune function and prevent illness

● Improve your circulation, digestion and coordination

● Heighten awareness

● Keep and maintain good and proper body weight

● Strengthen your joints and increase flexibility

● Improve physical, mental and emotional health

●  Enable you to enjoy a more useful, Peaceful and longer life.

   
 
   What is Yin Yang?
             

Yin and Yang is a Chinese theory that explains the way the world & universe works. As you can see in the symbol at the side one half is white (yang) and the other half is black (yin). The Yang side is white and  some representations are: bright, fire, male energy, active. The Yin is black and represents, dark, cold, female energy, water.  The picture shows how the Yin and the Yang are in perfect balance.
The basic principle is that Yin and balance. Like the universe this is reflected by the worlds constant change in order to maintain equilibrium. Like the saying “nothing is truly black or white” in Yin and Yang this theory is similar. You can see in the picture that in the white side there is a little of black and in the black side there is a little bit of white. The two sides complement each other and work together to maintain duality, balance & harmony.
It is in constant change to maintain balance and we can see that when one side reaches an  extreme it can only change into the other and visa versa. This can be reflected upon in the world in which we live. Maybe you can come up with some examples, here are a few to think about -  The change of night following day, the changes of the seasons, change in emotions, everywhere you look you can see Yin and Yang changing.  Therefore change is good , productive and most importantly NATURAL. 
Maybe you can begin to see how this can relate to the movements of Tai Chi, Kung Fu & Qi Gong. Through these movements we can help to maintain balance in the body like the theory of Yin and Yang.
 
Martine Niven  May 2008
   
 
Natural Healing
 0800 756 6422