Tai Chi & Qigong

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise originating from ancient China that combines slow, graceful movements with deep breathing and meditation. Often described as "meditation in motion", it started as a martial art but is now widely practiced for relaxation, stress reduction, and overall health. This website gives a useful introduction to Tai Chi and its health benefits - https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/what-is-tai-chi/ 

Tai Chi Classes

Exmouth & District u3a Tai Chi sessions

Our u3a is currently in the process of setting up some Tai Chi groups, and Steve, our Groups Coordinator, has been gathering the names of u3a members who may be interested in joining one of them. As soon as these have been established, details will be given in the Groups List section of our u3a website - see https://exmouth.u3asite.uk/groups/

Local classes

If these groups fill up quickly or if the times do not suit you, I know of at least two Tai Chi organisations that run local sessions:

• Tai Chi Momentum, run by Sam Forder - click or tap on https://www.taichimomentum.co.uk/

• Tai Chi Andy, run by Andy Pryke - click or tap on https://www.taichiandy.co.uk/ 

Tai Chi sessions from the national u3a's Interest Groups Online

Alternatively,  or if you want to join extra sessions, if you are happy about having sessions online via Zoom from the convenience from your own home,  there is an excellent Tai Qi Gong Fusion group run nationally on Zoom on Wednesday mornings. This is free but you have to join the national u3a's Interest Groups Online - which is great value at just £12 per annum (and there are loads of other groups there too!) - see https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/learning/interest-groups-online/interest-groups-online-groups/igo-fusion-tai-qi-gong. This is run by Gordon Ross who has his own YouTube channel where he has over 100 videos which you can watch at any time - see https://www.youtube.com/@GordonFUSIONtaiqigong/videos 

NHS resources

Torbay & South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has produced a useful written guide to Tai Chi exercises at https://torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/uploads/taichi-exercises.pdf and also a video short course on what is called Tai Chi Shibashi Qigong which you can see at https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/pain-service/reconnect2life/improving-health-and-fitness/tai-chi/tai-chi-for-health/ 

What is Qigong?

Have your tried Qigong exercises for increased energy and fitness? Qigong is an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that combines gentle, rhythmic movements, controlled breathing, and focused meditation. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, it is designed to optimize the body's flow of vital energy (known as qi), reduce stress, and promote overall healing and well-being.

Some useful videos

These Qigong exercises are suitable for all and involve 'work with our life force energy'. Take a look at this short introductory video from Lee Holden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzwet-C7sRE&ab_channel=HoldenQiGong 

Then if you like the sound of this, try out some of his exercises from the many videos on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HoldenQiGong 

Here is a selection of Lee Holden's Qigong exercises, taken from those selected from our Live Well Longer Group:

• 'Qi Gong On the Go: Quick 7-Minute Qi Gong Routine to Reset Energy' with Lee Holden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASw7Rhu3p7E&ab_channel=HoldenQiGong 

• 3 Best Qi Gong Exercises to Reverse Aging with Lee Holden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i99gn1iPdFc&ab_channel=HoldenQiGong 

• 3 Simple Qi Gong Exercises for Fast and Natural Stress Relief with Lee Holden- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_uN05H12PE&ab_channel=HoldenQiGong 

• 8-Min Moving Meditation for Instant Calm, Clarity, and Focus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dTDOafcLdk&t=8s&ab_channel=HoldenQiGong 

• Minute Qigong Routine - Easy Beginner Practice to Invigorate the Qi/ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMuHgj3FF_k&ab_channel=QigongForVitality 

• 5 Minute Qigong for Healing and Inner Calm - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq80bv2wibQ&ab_channel=QigongForVitality

• 7 Minute Qigong Routine - Guiding the Qi through the Microcosmic Orbit with Jeffrey Chand - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKB6YFxzqhI&ab_channel=QigongForVitality