Jian Taiji - Chen Style Taijiquan

Yet more proof of the benefits of keeping up with your Taiji practice ♥️☯️

Largest review of its kind confirms benefits of tai chi and other Chinese exercises Analysis finds ‘high certainty evidence’ of their effectiveness for the 1.7bn people worldwide with musculoskeletal conditions

In this heat it's good to do your practice in the morning when it's (supposedly) cooler... just be prepared for a TOTAL change of clothes and a second shower 😄🚿
♥️☯️

Traditionally, students had to prove their character to get a Teacher to accept them. There are many stories of applicants being made to wait outside the gates of the school for days on end to show how much they wanted to gain acceptance.
Nowadays, students can just turn up at a class and receive teaching,
but their character still determines how much of the instruction given translates into skill.
Does the student fully listen to what is being explained or is their cup already full? Do they trust the process being taught or do they just fall back on their previous experience? Are they training the feedback they are given or trying to follow their own path?
Then or now, a Teacher will always be happy to pass on knowledge to a student who recognises what is offered. Appreciating the value of long term commitment and learning is the shared contract between Teacher and student.
So thank you to all of our students who bring good character and positive attitude to class ❤️☯

Another great session of Taiji plus today, looking at improving and developing the attributes of ken (root) and rou (pliancy) into your practice.
We hope we gave you plenty of food for thought (as well as to eat 😀)
No photos, as we forgot!, so just a photo of GM Chen Zhenglei to inspire you ❤️☯️

if you can keep your centre whatever comes your way
if you can keep your spirit raised and your root strong
if you know when to bend and when to hold fast
when to yield and when to advance
be clear on what is too much and what is too little
then your way will be open and smooth
❤️☯️

We would like to wish our long term student Richard Leese good luck in taking on the challenge of The Great Manchester Run and raising money for a good cause.
Please support him if you can ♥️☯️

Richard's page Why I'm Running Just turned 75 and looking forward to my fourth quarter century, so time to do the Manchester 10k again. I’m running to raise money for the British Heart Foundation, and let’s face it,

The art of Taiji has many aspects to consider but it is important to recognise that learning and practice are two different sides to developing good skill.
Learning on its own does not lead to proficiency in Taiji, you need the direct experience of practice to understand how to express the theory through your body.
The purpose of learning is to gain new knowledge (what is to be known) while practicing is practical and the only method to consolidate skills and ability (what is known).
To put it succinctly - Masters are made through practice, Scholars through learning.
Enjoy your weekend putting into practice what you learnt at class this week ❤️☯️

Some well deserved refreshments and chat after an afternoon of Laojia adjustments, drillling and trouble shooting not to mention a little sword and push hands. No wonder everyone had built up an appetite 😁
Thanks to everyone who attended, we're looking forward to the next one already... ❤️☯️

Farewell to the Snake, Hello to the Year of The Horse.
After the shedding of last year, it is now time to move forward and embrace the changes to come
Xin Nian Hao to all ❤️☯️