Enabling Choice - Tai Chi Chuan
FREE classes every Tuesday 10am to 11am in the main bar
With Tai Chi master Andrew Hardwick
Our Tai Chi Pathway
Tai Chi, practiced by millions worldwide for health and fitness, is a centuries old Chinese exercise form based on traditional martial arts. It adapts old hand to hand combat moves into a gentler routine that enhances balance, fitness and physical/mental coordination.
The simplified Tai Chi taught initially is known as Tai Chi for Arthritis, but it’s not just for arthritis sufferers. It was created by Sydney physician Dr Paul Lam who used Tai Chi to manage his own severe arthritis disablility. Then, with other Tai Chi masters and western medical experts, he adapted moves from the well known Sun-style “73 Forms” into an easy routine now widely used as an introduction to Tai Chi.
What Should I Bring?
Water
Hydration is very important, but please do not drink during a class. The most effective time to drink water is BEFORE and AFTER you exercise. Drinking during class is discouraged as this can lower core temperature and reduce the effect of warming up, thus leading to injury.
Shoes
Ideally, you should wear indoor shoes with flat soles or heels. Trainers and/or barefoot are OK too if allowed at the venue.
Clothes
Tai Chi may be slow moving, but you should still be prepared to build up a sweat due to the combination of breathing and movement exercises.
Old or loose fitting clothes which provide freedom of movement for the shoulders, arms and legs are ideal. Uniforms are not compulsory.
Can I sit in a wheelchair?
Yes, you can join in these exercises whilst seated or in a wheelchair!
Session Structure
Warm-Up
In warm ups I emphasise balance, posture, breath control techniques and whole body mobility and motility exercises.
Forms
The main bulk of each session is spent upon a Form, or sequence of movements. I generally focus upon only one Form per session, as this should enable you to learn it thoroughly, without being distracted or confused by trying to learn multiple Forms in a single session.
I may lead you through the selected Form several times. In one run-through I may call out the moves in the Form, in another run-through I may call out the breathing.
I may also break down each of the individual techniques involved in a Form, practice them each in turn and also teach the application(s) for each technique, where appropriate.
Cool Down
I close each class with a combination of breathing & relaxation techniques.
The Benefits
Tai Chi has been verified by independant research in NZ and internationally as a valuable aid to health and fitness for all ages. Among its many benefits, it:
- improves balance, posture and physical co-ordination, reducing the risk of injury from falling
- enhances flexibility, mobility and general strength
- reduces muscle/joint stiffness and discomfort
- boosts concentration, memory and mind-body coordination
- enhances deep breathing
- reduces stress
And it is FUN
Extend your circle of friends in the relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere of our group sessions, with participants ranging in age from their teens to their 90s.
Andrew Hardwick is:
A Registered Health Practitioner, Hypnosis & SleepTalk™ Consultant at Andrew Hardwick Hypnotherapy
www.andrewhardwick.co.nz
A Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructor (Training funded by ACC)
A Full Member of Tai Chi for Health Community New Zealand (TCHCNZ)
www.taichiproductionsnz.com
An Associate at Tai Chi Associates
www.facebook.com/TaiChiAssociates
A Full Member of the New Zealand National Tai Chi Chuan Association (NZNTCCA) www.ate.co.nz/taichi
& was MC at World Tai Chi Day 2011
www.wushu.org.nz/world-tai-chi-day