Free Tai Chi Classes in Govanhill
FREE Tai Chi Class
Date: Wednesday 5th May
Time: 10.30am – 12noon
Location: Outside Larkfield Centre, G42 7AY
Covid-19 Rules apply
To attend, please complete online booking form: https://www.govanhillbaths.com/projects/whats_on/booking_form-new/
For more info, contact: danjohnnail@yahoo.co.uk
Tranquillity in Motion
Free Tai Chi classes in Govanhill
Tai Chi Chuan (to give it its full name, ‘Chuan’ being fist) is a martial art and is still practised as such at Practical Tai Chi Chuan, Pollokshields and Five Winds Tai Chi Chuan, Maryhill. However, the majority of those practicing tai chi now-a-days are seeking its renowned health benefits. Regular tai chi practice has been proven to relax the body, improves balance and coordination, and leads to better respiration and circulation. Indeed, recent research concluded that 12 weeks of tai chi did relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, including less pain and stress, more body awareness, and more confidence in moving; check out BBC’s ‘Michael Mosley puts tai chi to the test’.
The good news is that almost anyone can practise at least some aspect of Tai Chi. The most popular, or better known aspect of the art of tai chi chuan is the hand form, a set of moves preformed in a slow, flowing and relaxed manner. The Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form, with its graceful and flowing movements and alert actions, resembles a classic dance. Yet it is a sophisticated method of integrated whole body movement, that is, body and mind are one and move as such, with focus and intent.
Over a period of time, the central nervous system will be stimulated by the tranquil state of mind and dedicated concentration on the movements. The movements offer a balanced drill to the body's muscles, tendons and joints, and serves to increase the well-being of all the organs of the body as their efficient functioning depends very largely on a sound central nervous system.
Moving slowly with awareness and presence promotes all of these benefits; practitioners are encouraged to focus on the slow, soft, self-conscious feeling of movement. Movement that is essentially martial in intent yet directed by a knowing mind, attentive to the sensation of movement, in this moment, in this breath, ‘feeling’ ones way through the movements of the hand form.
Tai Chi is nature's perfect blend of psyche (mind) and soma (body) in which the practice of attention regulation promoted by slow movement practices combines with the body's readiness to direct its resources toward healing. It can only do that if we reduce stress, slow down, and pay attention, as Jon Kabat-Zinn put it,
“The attitude with which you undertake the practice of paying attention and being in the present is crucial. It is the soil in which you will be cultivating your ability to calm your mind and to relax your body, to concentrate and to see more clearly."
Tai Chi initially involves training the body in movement by learning exercises, postures, forms and drills; through this you learn to focus the mind and develop intent. Next you explore coordination of the external movement and postures with the internal, to develop respiration, circulation, vitality and spirit.
The class starts with soft stretching exercises from Qigong (Chi Gong) routines, the most popular of which are, Shibashi and Eight Pieces of Brocade (check out on YouTube). This facilitates deep physical relaxation, either in motion or in stillness. 'Letting go' our learned 'holding on' to stress and tension is the prerequisite for the smooth and balanced distribution of energetic resources throughout the body. And the longer you practice, the more you begin to refine your physical movement, your breath and your mental state. Michael Acton (‘Eternal Spring’) says,
“Qi Gong teaches energetic conservation and the distribution of our energetic resources to prioritize conservation, repair and replenish. This can become a way of life and can both improve and change our daily life and how we deal with conflict and physical stress.”
Of course people who practice tai chi well make it look easy and effortless, but this is the results of regular practice and effort. Like most things worth learning it can be difficult at first but with practice and encouragement it does become easier. The class is still a warm, relaxed and friendly environment where you can go at your own pace.
I should also point out that there are many styles of tai chi chuan including, Yang, Chen, Sun, Hao, Cheng Man Ching, etc. Free Tai Chi Glasgow is Wu style as developed by Cheng Tin-Hung (Hong Kong), Ian Cameron (Edinburgh), and Dan Docherty (London and International). If checking it out on YouTube, this Wu style tai chi chuan will be found under, Wutan, Wudang, Practical TCC, and Wu Cheng/Five Winds Tai Chi.
The author received his teaching certificate from Ian Cameron, and presented by Master Cheng Tin-Hung, Hong Kong Tai Chi Institute, in 1986, and has taught classes in Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Lancaster, Glasgow and Northern Ireland. Before the pandemic lockdown there were two free tai chi classes running in Govanhill, at Daisy Street Centre, Wednesday afternoon and Larkfield Centre, Thursday afternoon.
The plan now is to try an open air class outside Larkfield (with access to toilets and shelter if needed), starting Wednesday, 5th May, 10.30am to 12nnon. Further information from :
Danny Doherty
danjohnnail@yahoo.co.uk
Hayden Foreman-Smith
hayden@govanhillbaths.com
Free Tai Chi Glasgow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreeTaiChiGlasgow