T’ai Chi Ch’uan is practiced by millions of people everyday, who consider it to be an integral part of their lives, giving them good health, a calm stress-free mind and a flexible body. T’ai Chi is used to gently stimulate the internal organs, exercise the body, calm the nervous system and mobilize the joints. The benefits that can be gained from the practice of T'ai Chi are numerous. T’ai Chi can reduce; stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, anger and fear. It can increase; energy, vitality, endurance, confidence and concentration. It can improve; cardiovascular health, pulmonary function, hormonal dysfunction and digestion. Plus T’ai Chi can; relieve arthritis and chronic pain, improve all bodily functions, balance the emotions, calm the mind, speed healing, strengthen and detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, integrate the body, mind & spirit and allow you to achieve inner peace. T’ai Chi Ch’uan is proven as the most effective way to improve balance and delay the onset of falling. In our T’ai Chi classes, through a series of slow moving exercises, performed smoothly and accurately, with the muscles as relaxed as possible, and the mind absorbed in each movement, we release muscular tension, improve posture and balance, and deepen the breathing process to affect in a positive way the body mind and spirit. With consistent, correct practice, T’ai Chi can leave you warm, relaxed and gently stimulated. In time, the mind can achieve a stillness and clarity rarely experienced with other forms of exercise. It helps to develop harmony with the world on a physical, mental, emotional and ultimately, spiritual level. This calmness eventually pervades the whole body, leaving you less stressed and more refreshed at the end of the day.
The gentle movements of this art make it appropriate for participants at any age or fitness level seeking improved well-being, vitality, health, balance relaxation.
What participants have said about our classes
"The Monday night Tai Chi class is always the highlight of my week. It gives me something to look forward to, and offsets the sad and stressful things that have been happening. I hope it continues for a long, long time!" - November 2010
"If I have made any progress at practicing Tai Chi, it is because you are such a good teacher." - November 2010
“Thank you! I have no aptitude for Tai Chi, but my doctor strongly recommended it for work on balance and flexibility. I so appreciate that John welcomes me to the class and never ever makes me feel inadequate.” - November 2010
“John is well versed in this discipline. He is very encouraging toward the participants. My plans are to continue on in his class.” - November 2010 "I taught my grandson (14yrs) 'Rowing a boat' & in a couple of weeks his posture has improved." - November 2010
"John handles all ages and abilities with ease." - September 2010
"Very good class - Fascinating! & helpful & my chiropractor will be very happy I took your class." - August 2010
"Glad to see an evening class! please keep it on the schedule." - May 2010
"You can start boasting that Tai Chi is good for Blood Pressure too! I was Sooo relaxed last night after class - I checked my BP (which has been high for the last several months) and it hasn't been that low (WNL range for a long time!" - February 2010
“Patience is something I’ve never had! Tai Chi has certainly taught me how to feel more calm and peaceful, maybe a little more patient. But what I have felt to be beneficial is to slow down and not rush into things, maybe with more patience? So I can honestly say “Tai Chi” has helped.”
"My balance has improved and I was able to ride my bike the other day for the first time in about five years! I'm still not quite as steady as I used to be so I'm wearing a helmet and my husband is following me. I was actually going to sell the bike since it was just gathering dust. I had tried several times last year and could not do it. That should say something about working on balance in both yoga and tai chi! Thanks for all your help and encouragement!"
"John was very patient and informant. Knowledge was excellent and program was outstanding"
"Extremely useful program & information. John has a great way to present the information - logical and broken down into understandable steps - steps to build a great basic knowledge of T'ai Chi"
"John's class is helping me establish the balance I need to fight MS - not just physical balance but also the balance needed to establish a healthy lifestyle. his positive attitude and friendly demeanour are a definate plus! I highly recommend this class to anyone"
“John Robertson is inspiring and non-judgemental. I will continue with T'ai Chi because of him”
“I like the physical effort and the explanation given for things”
“I learn something new every class”
“The instructors delight in answering questions, and theirpatience in answering the same question over and over”
“I started because it appeared to be a gentle way to introduce myself to physical exercise”
“I appreciate your patience and willingness to breakdown each movement carefully”
"Tai chi has been firmly established as the exercise routine for balance." Harvard Health Letter ~ August 2006