I started training Xin Yi Liu He Quan and Cha Quan in September 2003, and started Tai Ji Quan in September 2005. Originally intending to use martial arts only as a tool to get fit and maybe learn some self defence techniques, I instead ended up thrown in the deep end of these strange but extremely rewarding arts. My practice began as a hobby; training only once or twice a week, I had no idea why I was being asked to drill these bizarre movements over and over again. It took me over 2 years to figure out the benefits of this type of practice and only then did I begin to take my training seriously. Looking back, the progress I made over the first two years could have probably been achieved within 6 months with a proper training routine.

My practice has very much become a lifestyle for me now, and my love for it pushes me to get at least a couples of hours in every day. I use the movements I have learned as tools to research the relationship between my mind, my body and my surrounding environment. With diligent training, I am peeling away the layers of bad habits built up over a lifetime, slowly revealing my full potential and returning to a completely natural state. Each day my practice helps me to calm my mind, eliminate useless wandering thoughts and bring me closer to a state of complete awareness. Physically, I have learned to relax my body to a depth I never thought possible before training. I am faster, more powerful and have far greater endurance than ever, and I do it with greater ease and relaxation as I learn to move in complete harmony. Still, I am only scratching the surface, and every answer I find seems to raise ten more questions that need to be researched in depth.

I have found that wushu and taiji practice is a way to practice using the body efficiently, as a whole, without conflict, and with flowing movement that is in harmony with the bodys natural design. Conflict in the body can come from incorrect posture, excess tension, and a distracted mind. By concentrating on the principles of posture and movement within taiji and wushu, you can correct your posture, and as you get stronger, you can reduce tension in the body and relax. Being mindful of the principles helps reduce wandering thoughts, and helps quieten your mind. As you relax, you can involve more of your body in the movement, and more of your body becomes in harmony. When you move, your whole body is involved, without any stiffness, and it feels smooth, fluid, and stable.

By training your body to move as efficiently as possible, smoothly and without tension, and by being mindful of your physical actions and mental state, you can have a very positive effect on your everyday life.

As an office worker, I feel lucky that I have the chance to get away from the office environment and practice martial arts on a regular basis. It is a precious counterpoint to my life in the modern world, and acts as a solid balance to my career duties. Training keeps me fit and healthy and presents me with the opportunity to learn and improve my capabilities. It gives me an outlet to practice humility, creativity and discipline. Learning from a good teacher in a class environment helps me understand the necessity for respect. I find the philosophy of the training very helpful. There is a natural harmony to it.

The reliance on external factors for health is diminishing as time passes, I find that I am healthier now than any time before I started training. Practice is preventative medicine for the body and the mind. It’s still hard, but the desire to train grows the more you do it. Even in winter, the chill of the morning air is not a concern that lasts past the few minutes it takes to work up a sweat. As I persevere with training, the constant adversity becomes my measuring stick for difficulty in life, and every task just seems to get a little easier in comparison. It took a while for my mind to adapt to the concept that the training never gets easier, one just gets better at it and has to work harder to reach personal limits. I find it rather agreeable that every time limits are reached, they increase. It’s certainly a rewarding practice, but there are sacrifices martial arts demands of its followers. One must have determination and be able to consistently examine ones own weaknesses. As time passes it becomes harder and harder to excuse them. Time is another issue, the training demands patience. After a while, one realises the intrinsic nature of the rewards training provides.

I no longer train for competition, or to become a peerless fighter, or even to reach the highest level of personal health. I train because I love to.

I never enjoyed competitive sport or gym classes but I was attracted by the graceful movements of Taiji and began learning it as a form of exercise. I soon discovered that Taiji is far more than just a series of physical movements; it is a martial art and is based on philosophical principles thousands of years old.

After four years of practice I am physically healthier and stronger and my balance and flexibility have improved. This is important for me as I have low bone density and am at risk of developing osteoporosis. My Taiji practice is a vital part of preventing this disease.

I am mentally more relaxed and focussed which helps me a great deal in my everyday life and work. I am excited to realise that the study of Taiji can be lifelong, and I look forward to growing and developing in understanding and skill.

Behind the slow and graceful movements of Tai Chi are benefits that many Westerners are now learning about. We are finding that the sequence of subtle movements are improving flexibility, strength, balance and feelings of wellbeing. Additional training exercises and Qi Gong are revealing areas of ancient knowledge that can be applied to enhance our health and the quality of busy modern lifestyles. More research is being done and it is pleasing to see that benefits are being confirmed by science.

I began learning at retirement age, and since starting I have experienced the positive outcomes and hope to continue doing so for many years to come!

Since beginning training with the CTWHA in 2009, I’ve noticed considerable improvements in the way my body moves. Although I’ve done martial arts before, I’d never done Taiji before I joined this class. The gentle, relaxing movements have really helped to unblock the tension in all parts of my body, allowing me greater freedom of movement, better circulation of blood and overall better general well being. On the surface it’s really easy to see how Taiji can benefit you physically, but once you dig a little deeper you’ll find a wealth of benefits for mental and spiritual cultivation as well.

I began wushu training in a completely different class doing a completely different style; originally I was learning an external style. When I came to the CTWHA and began learning these traditional styles it was obvious they were internal. Immediately after training I went home and began research on them. After reading article after article and watching many videos I knew this is what I wanted to do. Wushu, like Taiji, has so much to offer. It’s only through diligent practice that we discover our full potential. Strength, coordination, flexibility and awareness have all improved significantly through practice. What was once just something fun to do a couple of times a week is now slowly becoming a lifestyle for me.

I have found the tai chi (taijiquan), qi gong, and other martial arts taught in these classes to be unique in terms of the range of benefits they provide, their accessibility and depth.

Taijiquan not only increases strength (without the risk of injury), but also provides improvements in areas that more closely determine the actual quality of physical functioning (such as posture, flexibility, and balance) as well as contributing to general health by helping to manage stress levels.
In addition, I have found the classes to be mentally challenging both in terms of the need to learn complex movements, but also from the insights they provide into intellectually profound topics such as the relationship between mind and body, and various aspects of Chinese philosophy.

I also like the fact that while these exercises are best learned at an early age, anyone of any age or state of physical fitness can profit from participation, can continue to learn for the rest of their life, and can expect to improve as long as they practice.

As a final note, I would draw attention to the quality of instruction provided in these classes. The instructor in these classes is one of only a very few in this country who is themselves a high level practitioner and someone who has a deep and comprehensive understanding of the philosophical ideas underlying the martial arts.