Welcome to Jian Taiji
Dedicated to Chen Tai Chi since 1996, offering classes in Manchester, Stockport and Tameside
Please have a look around to find out more about us, our Tai Chi classes , our weekly class timetable, our teacher Wang Haijun or Chen Taiji? You can also contact us if you have any other questions about Tai Chi (Taiji) not covered in our FAQ.
Happy New Tier
There is an old Chinese curse that goes "May you live in interesting times" Well this year has certainly been interesting!
But being on a winding path has hard times and good and we learn more about ourselves during the tricky bits...
We would like to thank you all for your support during this interesting year, from those who kept in regular contact checking in on us, to those who learnt the new discipline of socially distanced indoor training, but especially those who have embraced the pleasures of outdoor Taiji week on week be it bright sunshine or bracing cold
Happy New Year to you all, wishing you health, happiness and continued progress in your Taiji in 2021
Outdoor 1 to 1 (or 2)s continue next week... so back to embracing the bright and bracing
WINTER WARMER
Look whats just landed, it's the Ho Ho Ho...odies
Santa's made an early drop off and left us some goodies
And as he's so busy this time of year
He's got us as his little helpers to spread the Christmas cheer
Great value hoodies for a nice warm glow, get in touch as they're ready to go
Only £22.50 and a great Christmas present to add to your list
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Taiji Home Practice During Covid-19 Lockdown
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XVIII (18th Sept)
Back indoors for some after six months
It was great to see even more of you back on your Taiji path and sounds like you had missed us as much as we had missed you from all your happy comments about returning to class.
Ron summed this up perfectly with... "Ian/Jan, credit to a well organised class last night and teaching lesson. Fully enjoyed it, Two professionals, c u Monday and thanks" ... Nice one Ron
Ron summed this up perfectly with... "Ian/Jan, credit to a well organised class last night and teaching lesson. Fully enjoyed it, Two professionals, c u Monday and thanks" ... Nice one Ron
Thanks again everybody and see you next week
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XVII (4th Sept)
While it's been back to school for many this week, in Taiji we should aim to be eternal students.
Rounded learning in Taiji has two sides - theory and practice.
We have been busy adding a mix of articles to our website from the likes of Chen Zhenglei, Feng Zhiqiang, Zhu Tiancai.. so have a read and take that theory and introduce it to your practice
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XVII (24th Jul)
Our round two candidates stepped up this week with the next blocks of outdoor group classes off to a flying start.
All enjoying plenty of space, fresh air and especially the indepth instruction possible in a small group (heartening to see Andrew staying behind after class to repeat, repeat, repeat)
All enjoying plenty of space, fresh air and especially the indepth instruction possible in a small group (heartening to see Andrew staying behind after class to repeat, repeat, repeat)
Thanks again, more of the same next week
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XVI (13th Jul)
Lucky us and a big thank you to Reddish North End FC for offering us the use of their all weather pitch for some of our group classes.
This has many pluses including privacy, parking and plenty of space to spread out along with a quality surface to train on...
This has many pluses including privacy, parking and plenty of space to spread out along with a quality surface to train on...
Our first group class will be starting there next Mon 20th July at 11:15am and, like our Debdale Park groups, will be limited to 5 students and booked in blocks of 4 sessions for continuity and safety.
Contact us ASAP to book your place
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Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XV (1st Jul)
Shiny new addition to our training space - a large mirror to see your Taiji frame
When we can get back to teaching 1 to 1's in here as well as parks or our patio, we can use it to visually show you points to work on - the next best thing to our usual hands on adjustments in the current climate
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XIV (20th Jun)
Great to get back to teaching groups again on Friday after 3 months
- even if the weather wasn't on our side
So a big thank you to everyone who came and joined us, we really appreciate the support and it shows Taiji builds resilience
Here's the determination and Manchester spirit showing on the faces of Debbie, Ember, Bob, Bernard, Stevan, Djamel and Andrew, and not forgetting Dave, Dot and Janis who managed to avoid the media attention (we're not sure if they're on the run or just vampires)
See you all again next week
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XIII (4th Jun)
MORE GOOD NEWS as we are starting some small outdoor group Taiji sessions
(hopefully now the late night calls, pleading messages and begging letters will stop... )
The plan is:
Max 5 students per session as per guidelines
Pre-booked blocks of 4 lessons to create class 'bubbles' for everyone's safety
Plenty of fresh air and social distancing
Initially we are looking at running these at Debdale Park as it's a midpoint to our regular venues but are open to location suggestions (numbers permitting).
So please email us to register your interest and availability. If you are currently enjoying our 1 to 1 sessions then please let us know if you would like to continue these, and/or join a group.
Look forward to seeing more of you soon
Covid-19 Home/Park Practice XII (22nd May)
Great to get back to teaching this week.
Thanks to everyone who came out to play with us in the park, it was good to see your familiar faces again...
...and we're looking forward to catching up with even more of you next week for lots of spiral driven, sun drenched, socially distanced 1 to 1 Taiji.
...and we're looking forward to catching up with even more of you next week for lots of spiral driven, sun drenched, socially distanced 1 to 1 Taiji.
Only a couple of slots left for next week so get in touch to join us
Covid-19 Home Practice XI (14th May)
GOOD NEWS for you eager students who have been in contact sorely missing your regular training with us - the change in guidelines that came into force yesterday means that we can now safely offer outdoor 1:1 sessions
A great chance to work on those Taiji queries a video can't solve. As GM Chen Zhenglei states on learning Taiji "looking at the video or book every day, all you get from this is only the external form. You won't get the inner essences. You still need the teacher's guidance."
So one of you, with one of us, in a park. with social distancing, the sun shining and to top it off we'll throw in a 20% discount on our usual rate - outdoors made even more appealing! So no 2 metre queueing required, just contact us to book your session and we look forward to seeing you again
Covid-19 Home Practice X
An important part of your Home Practice is not only going through the physical routines but being clear on the requirements and the way forward.
As well as remembering and acting on the individual advice/adjustments that we pass on to you, it can help to be guided by others who are further along the Taiji path.
So widen your view and take advantage of the rounded selection of articles we have on our website, including a couple of new additions, so put your feet up, relax and enjoy (after your regular practice of course)
Covid-19 Home Practice IX (6th May)
Know that a lot of you were really looking foward to the Master Wang workshop planned for 13th May. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, this will have to be postponed... however to keep you going, Master Wang has kindly sent us a couple of pictures of his "Home Practice" with his two daughters yesterday to inspire you in your "Home Practice".
We can see a great Taiji family legacy in the making as the result of their fathers daily teaching is evident to see - wish we could move in!
So keep up with your daily Taiji in readiness for the new workshop date and remember to keep your photos coming in
Covid-19 Home Practice VIII (26th Apr)
With your Taiji skills so finely tuned from all this extra time on your "Home Practice", you're probably ready for your next challenge... how about this...?
Covid-19 Home Practice VI (19th Apr 2020)
It's Sunday... it's 10am,...it's time for Maria's Lockdown Challenge... good luck
Maria posted this challenge to our Facebook page
"Hi everyone, Here is my images of myself practicing Tai chi during these recent weeks at home.
LET’S ALL SHOW OUR SUPPORT!,
In doing so I nominate you all to share your images practicing Tai chi during isolation.
To show both Ian an Janet how much we appreciate our classes with them even if we can’t all be together right now.
Also a great way to support each other as students"
LET’S ALL SHOW OUR SUPPORT!,
In doing so I nominate you all to share your images practicing Tai chi during isolation.
To show both Ian an Janet how much we appreciate our classes with them even if we can’t all be together right now.
Also a great way to support each other as students"
Covid-19 Home Practice V (17th Apr 2020)
We're really enthused to hear from so many of you about how your Taiji practice is continuing in these tough times.
Djamel and Maria have even kindly sent us proof of their daily routine...
They have inspired us to set up a gallery of your "Home Practice" pics as a testament to your committment and we'd love to have more of you represented so please send us your snaps (Taiji only, not passport or worse...!)
Djamel and Maria have even kindly sent us proof of their daily routine...
They have inspired us to set up a gallery of your "Home Practice" pics as a testament to your committment and we'd love to have more of you represented so please send us your snaps (Taiji only, not passport or worse...!)
Look forward to seeing your contributions
Covid-19 Home Practice IV (8th Apr 2020)
As the weather improves, it allows for more outdoor Taiji practice, garden permitting
So to continue with your "Home Practice" here is a sword tutorial from GM Chen Zhenglei (demo starts at 10:30 mins with instruction after)
Performed expansively this will also help with hedge trimming and pruning so a doubly good use of your time...
Daily practice = body fitter, mind stronger
So to continue with your "Home Practice" here is a sword tutorial from GM Chen Zhenglei (demo starts at 10:30 mins with instruction after)
Performed expansively this will also help with hedge trimming and pruning so a doubly good use of your time...
Daily practice = body fitter, mind stronger
Covid-19 Home Practice III (3rd Apr 2020)
Staying indoors means less space for your Taiji practice, but according to the people of the Chen village if you have enough space for a cow to lie down you have enough space to train Chen Taiji (real cow not needed, use your imagination)
You can work on your silk reeling, you can take either single movements or small sections of the form and repeat to better understand them. This is referred to as zhao - to research, as Tain Jinmiao says " To learn the movements of a taolu (form) is easy, but to do it right and to do it well is not easy... that is, to understand the complexities and right execution of each movement."
So to get you started here is Master Wang again to take you through single hand silk reeling, the foundation exercise
So to get you started here is Master Wang again to take you through single hand silk reeling, the foundation exercise
Covid-19 Home Practice II (30th Mar 2020)
So one week in but still a few more to go...
The emphasis from all the experts seems to be on keeping active both physically and mentally, from regular exercise to focusing on a hobby. That's where us Taiji students are lucky - we already have an enjoyable pastime that keeps our interest, strengthens our immune system and keep us fit.
Consistent practice is the key to progress in your Taiji so to help here's the next installment of "Home Practice", brought to you by GM Chen Zhenglei (demonstration first then the tutorial begins around 15 mins)
The emphasis from all the experts seems to be on keeping active both physically and mentally, from regular exercise to focusing on a hobby. That's where us Taiji students are lucky - we already have an enjoyable pastime that keeps our interest, strengthens our immune system and keep us fit.
Consistent practice is the key to progress in your Taiji so to help here's the next installment of "Home Practice", brought to you by GM Chen Zhenglei (demonstration first then the tutorial begins around 15 mins)
Covid-19 Home Practice (25th Mar 2020)
As this crisis continues, it makes us all re-evaluate what is important in our lives. Health, well-being and family/friends are now our priority.
Through your long term commitment to our classes you have all been investing in your health and regular Taiji practice develops resilience in your mind and body which is more important now than ever.
With us all staying at home, we all have more time to spare, so make sure you use it productively to come out the other side stronger. As with neigong, it's about building and nurturing what you have got.
With this in mind and resources being stretched we don't want you to have to pay for online classes so we will keep you going with regular free tutorials.
To start with here are some loosening exercises courtesy of GM Chen Zhenglei as requested by Sylvia, Shell, Chris etc...
Through your long term commitment to our classes you have all been investing in your health and regular Taiji practice develops resilience in your mind and body which is more important now than ever.
With us all staying at home, we all have more time to spare, so make sure you use it productively to come out the other side stronger. As with neigong, it's about building and nurturing what you have got.
With this in mind and resources being stretched we don't want you to have to pay for online classes so we will keep you going with regular free tutorials.
To start with here are some loosening exercises courtesy of GM Chen Zhenglei as requested by Sylvia, Shell, Chris etc...
Latest News
Develop your physical flexibility and mental agility to become a more rounded person... take the first step, come and join one of our classes...
Upcoming Workshops
The workshop with Master Wang Haijun has sadly, but unsurprisingly, been postponed due to the covid-19 pandemic. New date to be confirmed, speak to us for more info and to confirm your place
Not a facebook user? Then look at our new Bits and Pieces page to see excerpts of what we share
Want an overview about about Chen Taiji and our Taiji school? Then check out this feature
https://www.promotinglocal.co.uk/tai-chi-anyone/
Thinking about trying Tai Chi? Then why not meet our students and see why they come to Jian Taiji classes or check out our reviews on Facebook
