About Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi's literal meaning is ‘supreme ultimate’ and Qigong can be translated as ‘breath work' or 'energy work’. These forms of exercise have become very popular in the West over the last few decades. No matter what the spelling (Taiji or Tai Chi, Chi Gung or Qigong) these closely related disciplines originated in China and have been practised for centuries. They are very distantly related to Yoga but are generally much more gentle and practised from a standing position. Ranging in intensity from gentle movements practised for health to an effective Martial Art (Taiji Chuan), they can have far reaching benefits when practised regularly.
The origins of Tai Chi
The earliest recorded form of exercise was found in China on ancient silk paintings dating back to 168 BC. The movements portrayed there are generally referred to as 'Dao Yin'. The term 'Qigong' was not used until the early 20th Century but the lineage of the exercises is widely acknowledged. Tai Chi is another 'branch' of Qigong and there are many arguments as to what characterises the various disciplines of Dao Yin, Qigong, Tai Chi and Taiji Chuan. The truth is that they are all closely related and 'a rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. If you feel the benefit of the exercises, or in the case of Taiji Chuan, if you can use moves effectively in a martial sense, then that is what really matters.
The Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi and Qigong can help improve balance, coordination and flexibility, ease arthritis, are effective forms of exercise for osteoporosis, and can improve and help balance mood and mental states. They are great for improving general health and wellbeing, can aid in stress relief, facilitate rehabilitation after many types of illness, provide focus and help to centre your energy on many levels.
Tai Chi can be quite complex, with long sequences or 'forms' that can take some time to learn. Qigong sequences are easier to learn as movements are repeated; it tends to concentrate more on energy circulation and whilst physically gentle, can be quite intense if practised correctly . There are many claims as to how beneficial these disciplines are – the simplest way to find out is to find a class and try them.
Classes
I run classes in and around Carlisle during the day - in Penrith, Brampton, Skelton, and Caldbeck. If you have any questions, feel free to call 01228 710898 or email me at [email protected]
About the Tutor; Lesley Relph
I started training in Tai Chi at the Northern College of Tai Chi Chuan in Carlisle in 1994, and began to assist in and run classes not long after, establishing my own independent sessions. My approach is to share and teach the gentler health giving aspects of the art. I am based in Carlisle but cover a large area within Northern Cumbria, running classes as far south as Penrith and as far north as Brampton. I try to run classes all year round whenever possible in order to offer continuity and reliability.
My current training in Qigong is with Des Lawton at San Bao Qigong. Des runs workshops in East Kilbride for all levels of experience which I would highly recommend. He also has some online courses in various Qigong sequences with Udemy.com which are excellent. He is also running online sessions on Zoom during the Covid 19 pandemic.
I run classes for the Northern Fells Group. I have also run sessions for Age UK, Carlisle Parkinson's Group and Adult Education in Carlisle but the remainder of my classes are privately run by myself.
I have also run adapted (seated) classes in the past so can advise on this. For those who are interested in the martial aspects of Taiji Chuan, I can recommend groups run by other people in the area.
If you are interested in learning in order to incorporate Taiji or Qigong into your own exercise classes, I would be happy to assist.
About the Classes
Classes last for an hour and generally consist of a warm up, leading on to practising some Qigong sequences, and finishing with a short meditation.
My training is based in Yang style Tai Chi, although my focus has changed to teaching Qigong. I mainly use a sequence called Shibashi, which literally means ‘eighteen movements’ and is sometimes referred to as Tai Chi Qigong. This takes about 20 minutes to complete, and is a good introduction to Qigong. Although gentle, it offers a good overall workout for the body. Repetition of each movement in sequence makes it easy to follow and learn. I also teach other short Qigong sequences, with reference to the energy meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine,
I also practice an ancient self-massage energy routine called Do In along with some very ancient Dao Yin exercises, a short ‘Lotus’ Form that is very popular with my students, and some other sequences that deal with the internal and energetic aspects of Qigong and energy circulation. All the sequences form a good basis of practice that will stand you in good stead should you want to move on to other classes, and it is possible to break the Qigong sequences down and practice ones that you like or you find useful or especially beneficial.
Important elements in the classes are balance, body alignment or posture, relaxation and mental focus, joint mobility and overall flexibility and suppleness. Classes also touch on energy circulation.
Once familiar with the movements and sequences, it becomes like a meditation, and classes all end with a short seated meditation.
Classes can also provide a strong social element, and members often take a few moments to catch up with each other at the beginning and end of the sessions. Some meet outside class for coffee etc.
Members are welcome at any class - if you can't make your usual session, have a look at my timetable and see if you can come to a different one.
Why 'Town and Village'?
Just in case it's not immediately obvious, I've chosen this name because I travel to where people want to hold classes. I currently have enough classes to keep me busy, so sadly I can't commit to running any new sessions, but may be able to pass on details of other teachers.
Tai Chi's literal meaning is ‘supreme ultimate’ and Qigong can be translated as ‘breath work' or 'energy work’. These forms of exercise have become very popular in the West over the last few decades. No matter what the spelling (Taiji or Tai Chi, Chi Gung or Qigong) these closely related disciplines originated in China and have been practised for centuries. They are very distantly related to Yoga but are generally much more gentle and practised from a standing position. Ranging in intensity from gentle movements practised for health to an effective Martial Art (Taiji Chuan), they can have far reaching benefits when practised regularly.
The origins of Tai Chi
The earliest recorded form of exercise was found in China on ancient silk paintings dating back to 168 BC. The movements portrayed there are generally referred to as 'Dao Yin'. The term 'Qigong' was not used until the early 20th Century but the lineage of the exercises is widely acknowledged. Tai Chi is another 'branch' of Qigong and there are many arguments as to what characterises the various disciplines of Dao Yin, Qigong, Tai Chi and Taiji Chuan. The truth is that they are all closely related and 'a rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. If you feel the benefit of the exercises, or in the case of Taiji Chuan, if you can use moves effectively in a martial sense, then that is what really matters.
The Benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi and Qigong can help improve balance, coordination and flexibility, ease arthritis, are effective forms of exercise for osteoporosis, and can improve and help balance mood and mental states. They are great for improving general health and wellbeing, can aid in stress relief, facilitate rehabilitation after many types of illness, provide focus and help to centre your energy on many levels.
Tai Chi can be quite complex, with long sequences or 'forms' that can take some time to learn. Qigong sequences are easier to learn as movements are repeated; it tends to concentrate more on energy circulation and whilst physically gentle, can be quite intense if practised correctly . There are many claims as to how beneficial these disciplines are – the simplest way to find out is to find a class and try them.
Classes
I run classes in and around Carlisle during the day - in Penrith, Brampton, Skelton, and Caldbeck. If you have any questions, feel free to call 01228 710898 or email me at [email protected]
About the Tutor; Lesley Relph
I started training in Tai Chi at the Northern College of Tai Chi Chuan in Carlisle in 1994, and began to assist in and run classes not long after, establishing my own independent sessions. My approach is to share and teach the gentler health giving aspects of the art. I am based in Carlisle but cover a large area within Northern Cumbria, running classes as far south as Penrith and as far north as Brampton. I try to run classes all year round whenever possible in order to offer continuity and reliability.
My current training in Qigong is with Des Lawton at San Bao Qigong. Des runs workshops in East Kilbride for all levels of experience which I would highly recommend. He also has some online courses in various Qigong sequences with Udemy.com which are excellent. He is also running online sessions on Zoom during the Covid 19 pandemic.
I run classes for the Northern Fells Group. I have also run sessions for Age UK, Carlisle Parkinson's Group and Adult Education in Carlisle but the remainder of my classes are privately run by myself.
I have also run adapted (seated) classes in the past so can advise on this. For those who are interested in the martial aspects of Taiji Chuan, I can recommend groups run by other people in the area.
If you are interested in learning in order to incorporate Taiji or Qigong into your own exercise classes, I would be happy to assist.
About the Classes
Classes last for an hour and generally consist of a warm up, leading on to practising some Qigong sequences, and finishing with a short meditation.
My training is based in Yang style Tai Chi, although my focus has changed to teaching Qigong. I mainly use a sequence called Shibashi, which literally means ‘eighteen movements’ and is sometimes referred to as Tai Chi Qigong. This takes about 20 minutes to complete, and is a good introduction to Qigong. Although gentle, it offers a good overall workout for the body. Repetition of each movement in sequence makes it easy to follow and learn. I also teach other short Qigong sequences, with reference to the energy meridians used in Traditional Chinese Medicine,
I also practice an ancient self-massage energy routine called Do In along with some very ancient Dao Yin exercises, a short ‘Lotus’ Form that is very popular with my students, and some other sequences that deal with the internal and energetic aspects of Qigong and energy circulation. All the sequences form a good basis of practice that will stand you in good stead should you want to move on to other classes, and it is possible to break the Qigong sequences down and practice ones that you like or you find useful or especially beneficial.
Important elements in the classes are balance, body alignment or posture, relaxation and mental focus, joint mobility and overall flexibility and suppleness. Classes also touch on energy circulation.
Once familiar with the movements and sequences, it becomes like a meditation, and classes all end with a short seated meditation.
Classes can also provide a strong social element, and members often take a few moments to catch up with each other at the beginning and end of the sessions. Some meet outside class for coffee etc.
Members are welcome at any class - if you can't make your usual session, have a look at my timetable and see if you can come to a different one.
Why 'Town and Village'?
Just in case it's not immediately obvious, I've chosen this name because I travel to where people want to hold classes. I currently have enough classes to keep me busy, so sadly I can't commit to running any new sessions, but may be able to pass on details of other teachers.