Jian Taiji - Chen Style Taijiquan

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 ❤️☯️

Always brightens our day to receive feedback like this 😁

"It has been my utmost pleasure in joining in with Janet and Ian in their Denton class these past two weeks. I can see a wonderful opening in relaxing and controlling my body and mind. At 64 years I have become very lazy with and itching for something to do, with a false knee this limited me so I chatted with my doctor and mentioned Tai Chi he said try it but be careful and don’t push the knee. I found the philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan does exactly this for me. Learn at my own pace and ability. Everyone in the class is extremely helpful but the teaching of Janet and Ian is very good and they will answer any questions you have. I wish I had joined years ago."

Thanks Martin❤️☯️

We've had a few students recently asking us how to get started on practice.
It can seem overwhelming at first, especially as it can be hard to remember the movements and exercises once outside the class environment.
It is useful for beginners to start with the foundation exercises like silk reeling or qigong to work on the Taiji principles, then as your confidence grows, practice individual postures of the form gradually linking more and more movements up together.

GM Feng Zhiqiang states that gong practice is the foundation, strengthening internal qi. As you proceed, each subsequent step should use the gong accumulated and is also a further means for continued accumulation of gong.
He quotes an old saying "You can skip quan, but you cannot skip gong" After you know gong, then you can know quan. The busier you are, the more you need to practice gong, because it can replenish the jing/qi/shen you consume. This way you can have a healthy, long life.

Sounds good to us 😀 and there are videos and articles on our website to help you along. Enjoy ❤️☯️

Welcome to 2026

"It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life for me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know?
Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean
And this old world, is a new world
And a bold world for me, yeah-yeah"

Wishing you health, happiness and fulfillment every day ❤️☯

(Thanks to Nina Simone, Anthony Newley / Leslie Bricusse for these timeless lyrics)