This has been one of the theories of the world: change the outer conditions,
then
man will be changed inwardly - that has always been one of the arguments.
But you see that it doesn't work that way.
So it is man who has to change and
thereby change the structure.
(Krishnamurti)
Aging
It is natural for your body to become
weaker as you grow
older; the body has a
cycle that cannot be changed.
You feel frail and vulnerable, uncertain and fearful.
Our
school of
tai chi offers the
opportunity to
strengthen your body as you age.
This will not change the natural cycle but your quality of life will
improve.
Everyone learns the same material, regardless of age.
You learn at your own pace.
Strength
Tai chi is an art that uses the
body in a unique way.
It joins the entire structure together so than when one part moves, the
whole body moves.
Consider pushing an object or person using just your arm...
Your power is limited by the condition of your arm muscles and the degree of
resistance you encounter.
We teach you to join your
muscles together so that the entire body
pushes rather than just the arm.
You also learn not to use force against
force.
Neigong
Tai chi was designed to re-grow the body from the inside out; this process
is called 'neigong'.
It involves a variety of subtle changes to the body which produce an
increasing amount of strength.
Neigong is an integral part of our syllabus.
Movement
With the minimum application of
strength you can channel
movement creatively and use kinetic energy rather than
contracted muscles.
This means that you conserve energy and do not become tired so easily.
After only a few lessons students begin to demonstrate a more skilful use of
strength.
Self defence
Tai chi self defence takes strength-work much further.
It trains the body to circumvent strength and only employ the minimum amount
of
force.
Page created 2 March 2000