Do you know your Yang from your Wu?
Tai Chi is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. Though, if you're only just trying a Tai Chi class for the first time, there are a few things you'll need to get to grips with.
Combining deep breathing with slow, graceful movements, our Tai Chi classes offer a relaxing low impact workout that focuses on slow movements and breathing techniques.
What Are The Benefits of Tai Chi?
By regularly attending our Tai Chi classes, you'll tone and sculpt a leaner body shape. You should notice that your upper and lower body feels stronger, and you stand taller, thanks to an improvement in your posture.
Tai Chi is knows to relieve stress, thanks to the breathing techniques which calm the mind.
It's also a great way to improve coordination and agility, so it's often popular with our more senior Village Gym members.
What's It All About?
There are five different styles of Tai Chi, and we use all of them in our classes at Village Gym. The great thing about these styles is that they can all be modified to suit your own fitness abilities.
All styles of Tai Chi are about continuous movement from one position to the next. The key is to move gracefully... almost float from one pose to another.
Yang style Tai Chi focuses on slow, elegant movements and relaxing the mind through breathing techniques. Yang style Tai Chi is a great class for beginners, as you'll get to grips with the basic movements and ease yourself in.
Wu style Tai Chi is all about tiny micro-movements. Moving slowly, each move you make will be very small, working key muscles one at a time.
Wu style Tai Chi is a great way to get a strong core and improve your balance.
Chen style Tai Chi is a combination of slow moves with faster poses thrown in, such as punching, kicking and squats.
Sun style Tai Chi is very similar to Chen style, though it's way less challenging, so it's perfect for beginners.
Hao style Tai Chi focusses more on posture, positioning the body and strength.
Is Tai Chi Difficult?
Your first Tai Chi class may be a bit of a head scratcher. Though once you get used to moving your body in certain ways, it's really not difficult at all.
As a Tai Chi beginner, you'll find some movements easier than others, though you'll quickly pick them up once you become a regular.
If you find any of the Tai Chi transitions a little too difficult, just ask your Village Gym instructor for a little guidance.
What About Older Tai Chi Beginners?
If you're over a certain age, there's no reason you can't get started with Tai Chi.
Our classes are popular amongst our older members as they are low impact and won't leave you feeling exhausted. In fact, our Tai Chi classes in Aberdeen are the most popular with members over 60.
Our Tai Chi class will help to improve posture and balance, which has been known to reduce the risk of falling in older adults.
So if you're looking for a fresh way to workout, give a Tai Chi class a try!
Tips For Tai Chi Beginners
Watch your fellow members and if you struggle with a particular movement, simply follow their lead.
Try to stand in a spot that allows you to see the instructor clearly, and members on both sides. This way, if you get stuck, you can follow their movements no matter which way you're facing.
One of our members who enjoys Tai Chi in Edinburgh suggests;
"Don't focus on getting it perfect in your first class. Some of the Tai Chi movements will have you moving your body in directions it doesn't want to go! Just get used to letting it move, and getting comfortable."
Ready for more? Book your Tai Chi class online via the app or log in to our Member's Area.
