norwich fei-yan taiji & qigong school 01603 465189 e mail: taichischool@ntlworld.com

Taijiquan (tai chi chuan) translates as yang and yin boxing, a name which reveals its martial origins. It's the most well known of all the Chinese internal arts, famous for enhancing health, relaxation and vitality. Regular practice of taiji makes a huge contribution to wellbeing.

Many tai chi players in the modern world are more interested in its numerous health enhancing characteristics than self defence, which is understandable. But tai chi self defence, which develops from tui shao (push hands) practice, when taught as partner work in a safe and friendly environment, can be great fun and very relaxing and should form an integral part of Taiji training. As a martial art, taiji emphasises deflection and yielding rather than force and aggression, and following on from this principle, I always ensure that partner work is light hearted and non-confrontational as well as effective. However, students do have the option of concentrating on the solo routines only if so desired.

Tai chi originated in Chenjiagou (Chen Village), Henan Province at the end of the Ming Dynasty. The Chen Village style of taiji features a unique spiralling energy known as chan si, silk reeling. Beginners forms are stately and graceful, very enjoyable to learn and practice. More advanced students practice weapons routines and the pao choi (cannon fist). I studied with Master Tse Wei Jing for twenty years and with Master Tse's teacher, Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang, the head of the Chen family, on many occasions.

Those not so interested in the martial side of taiji or suffering from stress, illness or injury will enjoy the Monday evening class, where the beginners' forms, silk reeling exercises and very basic sensitivity partner work is taught. You can join at any time and learn at your own pace. The Wednesday evening and Saturday lunchtime classes include advanced forms and weapons training as well as beginners' forms. Again, you can join at any time.