Intro to Tai Chi - 4 week Starter Course

Intro to Tai Chi - 4 week Starter Course

An accessible, entry-level course - open to everyone and taking place within the peaceful and splendid atmosphere of the Bombed Out Church.

What date and time?

• Session 1:  Thursday 30th May 2024

• Session 2: Thursday 6th June 2024

• Session 3: Thursday 13th June 2024

• Session 4: Thursday 20th June 2024

Each of the 4 sessions will start at 17.00 and last for an hour, finishing around 18.00

What is Tai Chi?

Tai chi is a gentle mind and body practice, that can help maintain strength, flexibility, and balance. Consisting of low-impact, slow-motion exercises, this entry level 6-week course is open to everyone and an opportunity to explore the benefits of Tai Chi for yourself.

‘Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't in top shape or the best of health' - Harvard Medical School

Lis Davidson - Your Tai Chi Instructor

'I first started learning and practicing Tai Chi when I arrived in Liverpool in the early 80s. During the next 20 years, I had 4 different Chinese teachers in Liverpool. They each had their own particular passion for this wonderful meditative movement, and I learned much from each of them.

Over 20 years ago, I was introduced to a school based in France but which has a small number of teachers in the UK; L'art du Chi, Methode Stevanovitch. I found that their method of teaching helped my Tai Chi improve enormously, as well as my understanding and enjoyment of my practice.' - Lis Davidson

The Course

Over the 4 weeks, you will be guided through basic relaxation techniques, Dantian identification, three-stage breathing, and an introduction to the first half of the simplified 24 Tai Chi form.

Each lesson will be divided between 20-30 mins Chi work and 30-40 mins of standing tai chi exercise.

For the chi work it would be helpful if you can bring a yoga mat, or picnic rug, basically something you can lie on the ground on without getting damp. Lis does have some spare for anyone who forgets but not enough for everyone, so please bring something if you are able.

Week 1 (Thursday 30/05/24): Basic relaxation, dantien identification and Three-stage breathing with basic warm up exercises and introduction to the tai chi walking step.

Week 2 (Thursday 06/06/24): Reviewing Week 1 making sure we consider the axis and working at moving with and from the dantien. After warm up exercises continue with learning first 3 main moves of the 24.

Week 3 (Thursday 13/06/24): Building on the previous 2 weeks teaching, review the 3 moves learned last week and link them into the first part of the Simplified 24 sequence

Week 4 (Thursday 20/06/24):  Review and build on the previous 4 sessions, possibly move on to the following ‘pung lu chi na’ move.

Your Donations

The suggested donation for the whole course is £12-24 depending on your circumstances, however, you are welcome to donate as little as £4 should you be unable to afford more.

The aim of this course is to provide an accessible opportunity to try Tai Chi, meet new people, and engage with a special place in the city.

All donations go toward supporting the Bombed Out Church's programme of arts, heritage, and community activities onsite.

There is limited space on the course, so we ask that if you book, you do your best to attend all the sessions, otherwise others will have lost the opportunity to attend.

Venue Information

• St Luke’s Bombed Out Church is an open-air venue, remember to dress for the weather.

• There are no parking facilties at the venue, on street parking available around the area.

• The church grounds are a bit uneven and slippery when wet, keep this in mind when choosing footwear.

• There are gender-neutral portaloos available onsite

• Entrance to each session will be via the main doors to the church on St Luke’s Place. The accessible route to this door is via the Leece Street Gates.

Weather

In the event that poor weather conditions make it difficult for any session to go ahead, Lis will offer a rescheduled date.

Useful Links

https://www.lisdtaichi.org

http://www.artduchi.com

Disclaimer

Neither information on this page nor the content of the course should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified physician.