FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to lie or sit on the floor?

No.  All the movements are done standing, and mostly involve moving about as well.

I’m not very steady on my feet these days – do I have to stand on one leg?

No.  Although many of the forms include moves where one leg is raised, you will definitely not be expected to risk falling over.  The unsteady student can simply replace that bit of the move with a ‘heel touch’ and then continue with the sequence as before.  And, if at any time a participant feels the need to  sit, they will be encouraged to do so.

I find I don’t have a great deal of energy to spare - how physically demanding is it?  

It’s very gentle.  The emphasis is on working within your capabilities and not stressing any muscles, ligaments or joints in any way.  Breathing and posture are also very important - indeed the bedrock.

Does it matter how old I am?

Not at all.  Age is no barrier to learning Tai Chi Qigong, or Tai Chi Chuan.

I have a number of commitments that may mean intermittent attendance.  Is that okay?

If you really want to progress, especially with Tai Chi Chuan, consistent attendance is pretty much essential, particularly in the first year.  Learning Qigong is easier, but if you want to be able to perform the routines at home or on holiday, a bit of effort will still be required to remember them.

When do the courses start?

Students can join at any time - most classes generally follow the academic year/holiday breaks. 

 What do the lessons consist of?

Most Tai Chi teachers include some Qigong (a close relative of Tai Chi Chuan – see next question) in the lessons, and that is the case with most of Monica's classes.

The Qigong is usually incorporated at the start of each lesson as a warm-up, and may include a variety of different sequences.  Most Qigong is done standing on one spot with little or no moving about.  

There are many different Tai Chi Chuan sequences varying in length and complexity, and beginners will usually start with a short sequence which it is hoped will give them a sense of achievement in a comparatively short time.  A desirable aim is to absorb the moves well enough to enable practice between lessons, either alone or with fellow students. Everyone works at their own pace and will not be pushed to go faster than they are comfortable with.  Of course some will pick it up more quickly than others, but a competitive attitude is not altogether helpful.  

Is it a religion?

No.  There are some nods towards recognising the history and honouring the founders/creators of tai chi over the centuries, but there is no adherence to a deity or dogma.

What about self-defence?

There will be references to martial arts applications of the movements from time to time, but you will not learn self-defence or how to fight at my classes.   The martial aspects will help with understanding the basic motivations for the body dynamics, but serious self-defence requires a different approach.

 What is Qigong?

Qigong (pronounced ‘Chee-Gung’) pre-dates Tai Chi Chuan by thousands of years.  It is designed to promote good health via the flow of what is known in China as ‘Chi’ (spelled Qi), which can be translated as ‘life force’.  The idea of Qi and its flow along invisible ‘meridian lines’ is central traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.  Qigong consists of a series of gentle stretching and bending movements, usually with a number of repetitions, combined with normal and/or 'abdominal' breathing.  Qigong exercises can be adapted for the seated position and are suitable for all ages and abilities.

What is Shibashi?

This word turns up a lot on the internet, and simply means “18 Movements” and is one of many Qigong sequences.  It is an artful blend of Qigong and some Tai Chi Chuan, created and developed in China in the late 1970’s by Lin Houseng.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothing is usually preferred – something roomy or stretchy, perhaps track suit or leggings and a loose top, plus trainers or soft shoes with a little bit of grip, or just bare feet.  Some people feel comfortable enough in their day-to-day wardrobe.  (And a notepad and pen can be useful)

How long does it take to learn Tai Chi Chuan?

Well, how long is a piece of string?  The time it takes to commit a sequence of moves to memory and learn to execute those moves in a reasonably competent manner will vary a lot from person to person.   In any case, the rate of progress will be directly influenced by the amount of practice done between lessons, just as with piano lessons.  But speed of learning is really beside the point.  

Most regular practitioners and teachers, including me, would say that it is a life-long endeavour. 

As with learning a musical instrument, quality counts, and whilst it looks very simple, its grace and elegance belie its complexity and new students should not expect too much of themselves too quickly. And yearning for fast progress flies in the face of the core principle of Tai Chi: a stress-free mind and body.