What type of class?

At Longwater Tai Chi we have classes to suit many interests and needs and they are often taught very differently from each other. Firstly you need to do a little research to find out what style of Tai Chi or type of class would suit you best, so have a good look around our website and contact us if you are still not sure or would prefer to talk through your options.

It may be that you don't actually need to join a class that is learning a traditional tai chi 'form', where you learn, practise and start to remember a set of sequential movements - perhaps you would be better off in one of our popular Tai Chi-Qigong exercise classes that is centred around copying gentle movements for health and wellbeing.

Focus on your wellbeing

If you have limited movement or are recovering from injury or illness for instance, you possibly would not want to join a class which includes exploring the martial applications of tai chi (taijiquan). Although this can be done and enjoyed in many ways - we have a number of students who took to this in their late 60s and beyond.

Remember your wellbeing comes first; progress comes in stages, not all at once.

Just keep doing...

The arts we teach have been developed over many many years, and the philosophy goes back hundreds (if not thousands) of years. Perserverance is one of the keystone elements to gaining all the benefits that Tai Chi and Qigong can offer you. When you take on a new class as a beginner, give it a chance... it may take several sessions before you start to recognise the benefits you are gaining from it.

If you're the sort of person who likes a challenge that keeps the mind fully occupied, and you are willing to commit to a long term project, then one of our traditional taijiquan classes would suit you well; and you will of course also gain all the health benefits as you practise. These classes also progress to practising partner work, which is very useful for learning how to be mindful and relaxed through personal contact.

Be happy with your teacher

Don't be afraid to try several classes and teachers before you decide; it's not that a teacher may not be a good teacher, but simply that you don't resonate with them for some reason. Finding the right teacher and class is very important if you want to commit to a long term of study and benefit from what it has to offer.

And don't forget, you can always choose to learn 1:1 with your teacher if you rather not study in a busy class environment. To register for a lesson please click here.

We do not expect you to wear a uniform, but we do have branded shirts which the teachers usually wear to identify themselves, as well as for public demonstrations.

Most students prefer to wear comfortable clothes with a bit of stretch and practice with exercise socks, flat shoes that don't tip you forward or bare feet. You might also want to bring a bottle of water.