taipeople

Lakes T'ai Chi

tai chi enthusiasts

	front page
	classes and courses
	forms
	chi kung
	self defence
	news
	philosophy
	meditation
	nature
	t'ai chi enthusiasts
	t'ai chi family

T'ai Chi enthusiasts

Here we let any of our group say what they think about T'ai Chi, life or anything. Or to add some anecdotes, poetry or experiences they may have had.

Hazel Hunt
"Over the last few years I have become very involved in exploring the intricacies of T'ai Chi and Qigong - and still remain committed to studying the many different levels of both! I also have a great interest in nature, meditation and artwork, a creative side that has developed through my T'ai Chi practice.
As an ex fully qualified nurse I have some knowledge of the physical body, and I find the practice of T'ai Chi and Qigong gives me a deeper understanding and awareness of the health benefits that regular practice can bring - both physically and mentally. I enjoy very much sharing knowledge with other people, especially with the many friends I have in the T'ai Chi world.

At present I run weekly classes in the villages of : Yealand Redmayne - Lancashire and Storth/Milnthorpe - Cumbria. Also private lessons if required. Currently I teach two Yang Style T'ai Chi forms:- a) Cheng-Man-Ching (short Yang form) b) Beijing 24 step form And various Qigong exercises and forms - with special emphasis on attaining inner strength and vitality, mental calmness and function, and self-healing - self-improvement"

Michael Poulter is a semi-retired counsellor with a background in aikido as well as T'ai Chi. He practises T'ai Chi to create calm and confidence through relaxation.

"I am noticeably much more in the here-and-now after a practice and feel 'cleaner'. If I am unable to get to a practice for a week or two I know there is something missing in my life"

"I like to do a particular form over and over again so that the body remembers and there is consequently less thinking about it, more relaxation and moving meditation. One ambition would be to get completely immersed in a form so that there is no thinking at all"

Gill Stephen comes from Glasgow:

"It's said that we Scots are born with a fighting spirit which might explain any inherent interest in the martial arts, but in fact it was the spiritual quality of T'ai Chi which captured me - the "meditation in movement" which seemed to answer a need in me and was compatible with the complimentary therapies I was involved in at the time.

About twelve years ago I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis and early development of Osteo-arthritis. I was advised to avoid "high impact" sports and any alternative activity would have to be challenging but "safe". T'ai Chi has proved to be the answer.

I have been practising T'ai Chi now for about six years. I was thrown in at the deep end by my Shiatsu instructor who introduced me to the Yang Chen Fu Long Form and the internal intricacies of Qigong.

I am fortunate to have the support of Lakes T'ai Chi & Internal Arts group, which affords ample opportunity for exchange of ideas and self-development. I am a member of the TCUGB and have also just recently been approved to teach Dr Paul Lam's exercise program of T'ai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) and I hope to begin classes early in September. I currently teach the simplified Yang style form at Yealand Redmayne and am planning summer workshops in the Morecambe area soon. I would welcome enquiries from anyone interested in taking part, and particularly from anyone wishing information about TCA.

Jenny Truch has been learning Tai Chi for 7 years and is also interested in Yoga. She has an affinity for Chinese culture and this led her to try T'ai Chi, which has benefitted many aspects of her life and led her to be much more in tune with her body.
She particularly enjoyed learning the staff form and practices this most days (to the detriment of her furniture and pictures when she has to practise inside!)

Kathleen Doolan is one of the people who regularly attend the three hour Ambleside session. Her favourite aspect is the sword form, despite having to walk through the streets of Ambleside with a metre-long steel sword. Now in her second year she enjoys practising the forms especially to music. She joined to learn T'ai Chi both for relaxation and as a self-defence art (previously having tried ju-jitsu), having seen T'ai Chi performed occasionally over the years. Her impressions are that she has gained in confidence and feels more at one with herself, but has been suprised to find that the martial aspects take a long time to develop. She has also likes the other classes and events she has attended and remembers in particular last years picnic:
"One event I managed to get to was last summer above Windermere on the Crook Hills. It was a lovely summers day and a group of us met up and went for a beautiful scenic walk and did some T'ai Chi up on the hill overlooking Windermere Lake. Later, in the evening there was a bonfire and drinks. It was a truly memorable day."
She holds a dream of learning more T'ai Chi in China, possibly in a remote village deep in the country

Sue Rieder sees T'ai Chi as a complementary activity to her other pursuits (including badminton, line dancing, aquaexercise, yoga and walking). She identifies two influences which made her start T'ai Chi - several years of her early life having been spent in China during which time she became impressed by Chinese attitudes - and having grandchildren who are learning kung fu!
In common with some of the others on this page, she enjoys, in particular, the exercises to music, and the social side of the classes (but possibly not the partnerwork) and has felt fitter and somewhat calmer in herself.

An interview

with Alan Goulder (77)

Q: Have your preconceptions about T'ai Chi altered since you started practising it?
A: Yes. I thought at first it would be fairly easy but soon found quite the opposite. It's much more complex. The movements, done well, are more meaningful, delicate and precise than I realised, requiring harmony and quietness which I believe T'ai Chi can teach. There is a great deal to learn and remember.

Q:Have you noticed any changes in yourself since you started T'ai Chi?
A: Yes. At first a change for the worse. It created irritation, frustration, confusion and stress. I couldn't see any point in it and several times I almost gave up. Then --gradually I began to notice changes. My memory began to improve. I'm learning to be more patient, hopeful and much less self-critical. My physical balance and general health and strength are much improved.

Q: What do you find most enjoyable about T'ai Chi?
A: - A feeling of progress and achievement.
    - the challenge. As I reach the crest of one hill, a higher one beckons in the distance.
    -sometimes getting a feeling for just a moment of wonderful stillness when my mind and body are in perfect harmony and peace and I can 'let go' and feel safe. I suppose it is a tiny glimpse of what it is all about.
    - most of all, the friends I've made.

Q: What are your T'ai Chi ambitions?
A: to enjoy it and make steady progress. To improve self-confidence and understand myself a liitle better - who knows, maybe to live an extra week or two longer than I otherwise would. AND for goodness sake To Have Fun.
I always enjoy and feel lots of benefit from Chi Kung and standing meditation.

Conclusion: I'm allowed to do the best I can with much encouragement and not the slightest pressure - so I begin to enjoy it more and I'm sticking with it.

Shirley Pott:
I have been learning T'ai Chi for eighteen months, and have previously tried Yoga. I wanted a complete programme of exercise with minimal risk of strain or injury, and T'ai Chi has proved to be everything I wanted. Changes I have noticed in myself include better balance and better breath control. I enjoy all aspects of T'ai Chi and my favourite T'ai Chi book is 'The Book of Soft Martial Arts' by Howard Reid.

Sandra Barton has been learning T'ai Chi for about five years which she took up after several years of yoga:I have been learning T'ai Chi for 5 years. Other friends were doing it and I wanted to try it for myself. It always looks so impressive when you see it done. It was harder to learn at first than I had imagined, but each practice leaves you feeling good - as I had expected. The group practice often has a lighthearted side, whilst at the same time everyone is concentrating and introverted. The social side is important - chatting after class, making friends.

Yvonne Saunders has been learning T'ai Chi for 19 years and also has a background in yoga:

I wanted to try T'a Chi because of the graceful beauty of the movements, the obvious control and deep yet inner involvement required. The T'ai Chi players were quietly self-possessed and compassionate. Many of my preconceptions have proved to be true but wider,deeper aspects are emerging continuously. I have noticed a general improvement in self-confidence and co-ordination. I enjoy the feeling of peace, fun and the 'Ah' factor, and the group awareness.

Another long term practitioner (10 years on and off) started T'ai Chi to help with various sporting injuries - and with getting over hangovers quicker. (Even though this guy is a rock-climber, he was in fact referring to the toomanypints hangover) He enjoys Chi Gung and the swordform best at the moment and has found there is more to T'ai Chi than direct physical benefit - "it strengthens you emotionally and mentally too. It strengthens by learning to relax and be aware of your body"

Return to top of page