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Are classes open to beginners / Do I need to be experienced?
If I miss a week or two will I miss out important information ?
Do I need to pay for a whole term up front? How much per class?
Can Tai Chi give you a body builder’s physique like the social media adverts claim?
Are the classes open to people of any age?
Q: Are there more women or men in the classes ?
Do I need a certain level of physical fitness and good health to attend?
Are there any floor exercises / do I need a mat?
Can Tai Chi help me with my specific illness / health problem?
Is your tai chi part of a particular style?
Do you practice Qi Gong (or Chi Kung) as well as Tai Chi in your classes?
Q: Are classes open to beginners / Do I need to be experienced?
A: The Beginners Taster sessions/courses are open to all new beginners. The pace of the classes is such that it is easy to fit in to them at any level of experience. Many of the exercises can be learned fairly quickly, and then refined with continued practice. At the end of the class we go through a sequence of moves called the ‘Form’ which takes a little learning, you will pick up with practice if you choose to continue.
Q. Do I need to book a place?
A: Please contact me to reserve a space before turning up for a class Most people come for a taster class/course to see if it suits them. If a class is currently full I can keep your details if you wish and inform you when a vacancy arises.
Q: If I miss a week or two of a weekly class will I miss out important information ?
A: Much of the regular weekly classes (when available) consist of exercises and techniques for regular practice which promote health and well-being. There is a fair amount of repetition and refinement of the movements as you progress (Back to top)
Q: Do I need to pay for a whole term up front? How much per class?
A: No, just pay on the day for each class – the fee is stated next to the class listing (cash or card/phone payment) (Back to top)
Q: Is tai chi a martial art?
A: It can be. However, it is not taught as a martial art in my classes – as we focus on the health, exercise and meditative aspects of tai chi / qi gong. These days most people want to practice it in this way to enhance their health and well-being. (Back to top)
Q: Can Tai Chi give you a body builder’s physique like the social media adverts claim?
A: No it cannot on it’s own – only in the world of false, misleading AI-created adverts on Facebook etc.
Q: Are the classes open to people of any age?
A: Yes. The vast majority of the exercises and techniques are fine for people of most ages to accomplish. Most group members are active retired people, though some are younger and/or still in regular work. (Back to top)
Q: Are there more women or men in the classes ?
A: In my classes (which focus on the health side of tai chi) there are mostly women. In classes which focus on the martial art side (which l don’t do) there are usually mostly men.
Q: Do I need a certain level of physical fitness and good health to attend?
A: The pace of the exercises is usually slow and appears/feels quite gentle. As you may know, the health form of Tai Chi is renowned for its low impact on joints and its accessibility to people of almost any age. The class does require you being on your feet for one hour, but it is fine to sit out and take a break. (Back to top)
Q: Are there any floor exercises / do I need a mat?
A: No. I do not currently do floor-based exercises, as they are unsuitable for some of my class members (Back to top)
Q: Do I need special clothing?
A: Any loose fitting clothing is fine. Try to avoid wearing anything that restricts your movement. Flexible training shoes or plimsoles are great. Light, flexible shoes are usually fine. (Back to top)
Q: Can Tai Chi help me with my specific illness / health problem?
A: Tai Chi does not usually treat one particular injury or illness, unless it is specially adapted (for eg. at Dr Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute). It works in a general way by helping to improve the overall health and well-being of body and mind. Occasionally, however, there are specific exercises which often help with certain aches and pains.
It is also often seen as a form of preventative medicine/exercise. Despite that, people do regularly report improvements in flexibility, breathing problems, stiffness in joints/muscles, stress levels, balance and numerous other benefits. (see also About Tai Chi page)
Tai Chi instructors (myself included) usually do not have the specialist knowledge that your own doctor/health practitioner has, nor do they have the time in the class to conduct a proper health assessment. Therefore I always recommend checking with your own doctor/specialist first if you have any health concerns before starting a Tai Chi class. (Back to top)
Q: Is your tai chi part of a particular style?
A: Yes, it is part of the Lee (or Li) style tai chi/Taoist arts as originally taught in the UK by Grandmaster Chee Soo.
Q: Do you practice Qigong (or Chi Kung) as well as Tai Chi in your classes?
A: Yes. There are numerous breathing and movement-based exercises in the class which are a type of Qigong / Qi Gong exercise. In this style of tai chi they are sometimes called K’ai Men exercises. Put very simply, many authorities say that Tai Chi itself is a form of Qi Gong. (Back to top)
Q: Can we learn to levitate in your classes?
A: I tried to start a levitation class but it never got off the ground (Back to top)
Q: Will there be other jokes of such high quality in the class?
A: Probably
Tai Chi Lincoln 