The hall is pleased to welcome Debbie Wild, who began learning Tai Chi in the mid 1990s with Egberth Thomas in the Netherlands. Egberth said five words to her: "Debbie, you should teach this" which torchlit her teaching career.
When Debbie relocated to Stratford-on-Avon in 2001 there were many swans on the River Avon and the constellation of Cygnus in the sky: it appeared she was being guided to set up the ‘Swan’ School of Tai Chi and Qigong.
Debbie has completed advanced instructor training courses in Chen style Tai Chi and Qigong with Eva and Karel Koskuba of the Chinese Internal Arts Association (CIAA) in Berkshire. She trained with Grand Master Chen Xiao-Wang and Master Chen Yin-Jun for Chen Style Tai Chi on their former visits to the UK. In addition she holds professional membership of the CIAA, the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts and holds Advanced Instructor level membership of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain.
The details
Class time : 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm
Class cost : £9 per week, please get in touch with Debbie (details below) to book your place
Contact : Debbie Wild
Telephone : 07773 318830
Email : debbie@swantaichi.co.uk
Website : www.swantaichi.co.uk
Social media : Facebook page
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi and Qigong are separate systems of widely practised Chinese therapeutic movements or exercises, the origins of which date back to before 1100BC and the Shaolin Temples in China. Both are part of the Internal Martial Arts, which remained shrouded in secrecy behind the Great Wall of China, passed down from one generation to the next until the twentieth Century when Tai Chi became more widely taught in the west.
Tai Chi and Qigong have close links with Traditional Chinese Medicine, as both are based on the core values of balance and harmony that are essential for a long healthy life, physically, mentally and emotionally. The smooth movements of Tai Chi and Qigong direct Chi through the meridians of the body, which are also the focus areas of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Acupuncture, Massage and Meditation.
Tai Chi translates as highest or ultimate, Chi, or Qi, means life force energy with Gong as practice or training. Tai Chi and Qigong are both similar in appearance, as a combination of fluid movements and meditation, slow breathing and balanced postures; which in turn create a deeper breathing rhythm and improved metabolism and blood circulation, thereby reducing stress levels and raising energy, or Chi levels.
Tai Chi and Qigong movements are based on rhythmical spiralling, circling and gentle cycles, with fluid and uniform movements co-ordinating and mobilising all the joints, ligaments and muscles in the body. As it is non-impact, it is suitable for all levels of fitness and health, gently working the whole body, massaging the internal organs whilst exercising the mind, with the repetition of gentle and soporific movements.
With regular practice Tai Chi and Qigong create enhanced physical, mental and emotional well-being and practitioners can feel immediate health benefits. On a physical level the body becomes suppler, increasing the range of movements, improving co-ordination, promoting good posture and balance; mentally it can help to improve concentration, clearing and focusing the mind; and emotionally it helps us to become calmer, relaxed and with a more positive outlook on life.
The best way to prevent disease and disharmony in the body is to restore and maintain a healthy balance in all human energy systems. Tai Chi and Qigong provides us with keys to do just that.
Who comes along?
- They have ex-teachers, engineers, housewives, office workers, artists, retired people, busy mums and dads – in fact people from all walks of life
- You are not too old in your 80s, and not too young in your 20s – most people fit somewhere in between
- Attendees range from more athletic runners and gym bunnies to self-confessed couch potatoes, or people recovering from injuries and illnesses - in fact just about all levels of ability
- Lots of people are looking for some “me time,” a chance to relax and unwind, help to de-stress, or to keep a good residual fitness regime, and improve certain aspects of health
What can you achieve with tai chi and qigong?
They asked their students – who better! – what improvements they had noticed in their health, and these were some of the top responses:
- Improved relaxation and calmness
- Better mobility within the joints and less arthritic pain
- Improvements in breathing patterns (fewer asthma attacks, better sleep)
- Better co-ordination and balance
- Reduced stress levels and lower blood pressure
- Energy level is improved
- Improvement in circulation
- Feeling stronger, fitter and healthier!
