Welcome to Longwater Tai Chi
Jane and Patrick Foley teach Tai Chi as a relaxing, enjoyable exercise. Its slow, meditative movements are practised by millions of people for their proven health benefits. We both switched from successful careers to spread our love of Tai Chi. Between us we have over 50 years of experience in the art. We teach regular classes and workshops in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset UK and sometimes further afield.
We have a broad curriculum and teach Tai Chi (taijiquan), its ancient sister art Qigong, and Meditation in various ways to suit different levels of interest and ability. Our main focus is to nourish the body, mind and spirit and lead you to a life of better health and wellbeing. Read more about what we teach from our curriculum pages. If you are a beginner and want to know what might suit you best, please visit our beginners page or contact us.
We also still regularly attend both local and international events with our teachers Bruce Frantzis, Sam Masich, Brian Cooper and Dr Paul Lam.
Unlike aerobics and most forms of modern Western exercise, Tai Chi steadily teaches you how it is possible to achieve vibrant health and assist healing through correct body alignments and low-impact movements. It is based most importantly on moderation, known as the 70% Rule. The internal health aspects of Qigong (subtle energy 'Qi' work, pronounced chee gong) practised alone or within Tai Chi can help relieve physical, emotional and mental tension and stress and pave the way to self-healing. We believe that the way we teach Tai Chi is safe for people of all ages and levels of fitness. Longwater Tai Chi holds regular classes and workshops in Wilton, Salisbury and Downton in Wiltshire, Fordingbridge in Hampshire and Verwood, St Ives and St Leonard's in Dorset. We also teach private lessons and small groups at our studio in Downton plus some specialist groups, corporate sessions and groups in new areas, by arrangement.
Why study Tai Chi partner forms?
If you are serious in your pursuit of Tai Chi (taijiquan) knowledge, understanding lineages becomes important, and making connections between your Wu style form and its mother form can be enlightening. All authentic taijiquan adheres to the same physical principles and manifestations of jing (energetic essence) irrespective of the style of form.
