Yang Style Workshop - Downton

 Busy Life? Try a monthly Tai Chi workshop!

In 2023/24, the Saturday monthly workshops will have a new format as follows:

The mornings will always be accessible to beginners, as well as those of you who have some experience but would like to clarify and deepen the core principles and cornerstone drills that make up authentic Tai Chi (taijiquan) movement. Good body posture, correct weight transference and the internal training of taijiquan is known to improve both physical and mental balance. It has also been shown by studies to reduce stress and make you feel more positive.

These sessions will also start to introduce the principles of working with partners through the practice of jue shou or sensing-hands. Partner work is critical to understanding how taijiquan works; it is fun, non-competative, develops self-confidence, and deepens our understanding of and connection to others.

The afternoons will focus on more detailed partner connection work, as well as more advanced curriculum subjects. We will develop these topics slowly from month-to-month, so it is also possible for beginners to join and begin their study of the traditional taijiquan curriculum.

On this occasion we are teaching:

• 1000-1300 Session 1 £36: Topic to be confirmed
• 1400-1600 Session 2 £24: Topic to be confirmed

FULL DAY concession £56

You are welcome to attend part or all of the day to suit your interests - the  morning sessions focus on taijiquan (Tai Chi) core principles and movement skils (ideal for beginners and experienced alike); the afternoon sessions explore partner connection skills and forms, as well as more advanced solo forms. 

When you register, please select the sessions you are interested in at the checkout so you correctly charged.

This session is taught by Patrick Foley, who has nearly 30 years of experience in traditional Taiji and Neigong practices. He was taught Wu style by Brian Cooper (Senior instructor of Master Bruce Frantzis) and Yang style by Master Sam Masich (to whom he is Indoor Student).

Core Principles

Taijiquan Core Principles are descriptions of the essential criteria for practice based on natural laws governing human structure, movement, and function. They are trainable concepts meant to be integrated into any and all taijiquan solo and partner practices. Core-principles exercises can be used in form-practice sessions as warmups or they can be trained independently. One’s experience of the art is enhanced when one practices according to taijiquan core principles.

Topics we will be covering include: joints and segments; 5 words of self-composure; how to stand; how to sink and rise; stance properties and transitions; hip track and waist and much more.

Five Section Taijiquan

The Five Section Taijiquan program material is designed to be flexible and fun, ideal for beginners to get a well grounded introduction to traditional Tai Chi, who may then decide to take on the more difficult challenges of the full curriculum. It is also possible within this curriculum to just focus on one aspect of Tai Chi that you are particularly interested in, e.g. solo sword, without having to commit to learning the partner work.

If you have studied the 5 Section material with us in the past and would like to refresh your memory or improve your understanding of the forms, these sessions are for you.

Traditional Taiji Curriculum

The Yang style of tai chi (taijiquan) is characterized by more open movements with clear expression of the application - it is the perfect study for those who want to practice tai chi for robust health, mindfulness and subtle connection. We have a wide curriculum to offer that includes weapons and partner work as well as solo hand forms, mainly taught in workshops and small groups.