Combining deep breathing with slow, graceful movements, this relaxing workout will work your muscles and joints throughout our low-impact class.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice focused on meditative deep breathing and relaxation exercises. During our Tai Chi classes, you’ll focus on controlled movements and postures, developing muscle strength, improving balance and increasing flexibility. Meditating also helps to clear the mind whether you’re unwinding from the working day or preparing for the day ahead.
A fun option for those that love to get their fitness kicks in a group, Tai Chi also packs a number of mental and physical health benefits, making you both happier and healthier. Increase your body's overall health with a Tai Chi class near you at Village Gym.
- A great way to get your workout and your relaxation done in one hit.
- Perfect for all fitness abilities, Tai Chi is low impact and low intensity.
- Great for those that love to work out with friends.
- Ideal for those recovering from injury or suffering join pain, thanks to its gentle movements.
Tai Chi classes are all about fluid movements, so you'll want to wear something that allows you to move, stretch and flow.
We would recommend choosing a lightweight, breathable fabric, either snug and secure or loose fitting at the top, but with a fitted hemline to prevent it from riding up. We don’t want your loose tops draping over your head mid stretch!
For bottoms, opt for something lightweight and comfortable, and on the feet wear socks with small grips or a lightweight shoe that allows the feel to move easily.
Les Mills BodyBalance
A yoga based fitness class designed to increase flexibility and strength.
Barre Fitness Class
Our Barre workouts, designed by Les Mills, are accessible to all fitness and flexibility levels.
Combining classic ballet positions with high repetitions of slight movements using very light weights, Barre can improve posture and help shape your body.
Pilates Classes
Slow and controlled movements to work deep core and lower back muscles, excellent for improving posture.
Local Yoga Classes
Improve your posture, strength and flexibility with our Yoga class.
Whilst the slow and gentle nature of our Tai Chi classes won't have you burning significant calories compared to our fast-moving fitness and exercise classes, they will instead help you to tone, strengthen and develop muscle mass. However, you can still burn up to 220 calories per hour.
Increasing your muscle mass will encourage the body to burn fat more quickly, so if your goal is weight loss, Tai Chi can form a great addition to your weight loss training plan.
Zhang Sanfeng
The true origins of Tai Chi actually remain a mystery, but the concepts are rooted in Chinese history, Taoism, and Confucianism.
The founder of Tai Chi is believed to be a 12th century monk named Zhang Sanfeng. Zhang Sanfeng left his monastery to become a hermit and created a form of gentle fighting.
Struggling to get a decent night's rest?
Regularly attending our Tai Chi classes can help you to sleep much better.
The controlled breathing techniques and relaxing moves you'll enjoy in our Tai Chi class will help the body to relax the muscles properly, releasing stiffness and tension, resulting in a higher quality and longer sleep.
Tone and sculpt a leaner body shape
Improve your upper and lower body strength
Improve balance and posture
Improve your coordination and agility
Relieve stress and improve mood
Learn how to breathe more effectively (great for allergy sufferers!)
Anxiety plagues one in ten people in the UK. It makes us feel low, fatigued and plays havoc with our blood pressure.
One of the great benefits of our Tai Chi classes is it's ability to reduce stress.
The gentle movements combined with light meditation and controlled breathing will help you to feel more relaxed, more focussed and boost your mood.
The stress-busting benefits of our Tai Chi class make it a great choice for members with long working hours, young families, hectic lifestyles, depression or anxiety disorders.
Our instructors cover the main five styles of Tai Chi in our classes at Village Gym. Each one focuses on a different area though they're all about continuous, graceful movements.
Find the style that works for you and adapt it for your own fitness levels.
Yang style Tai Chi involves slow movements and a focus on your relaxation levels. A great class for Tai Chi beginners or yoga fans looking for something new.
Wu style Tai Chi features micro-movements rather than large stretches. You'll move slowly, making only little movements each time. This is designed to strengthen key muscles and improve your balance.
Chen style Tai Chi is a combination of slow movements and quicker transitions. Expect to do some punching, kicking and squatting.
Sun style Tai Chi is similar to Chen style, though less physically demanding, making it a great option for older adults or Tai Chi beginners.
Hao style Tai Chi is designed to work on posture, positioning the body and strength.
The great thing about Tai Chi is that anyone can do it! No age limits or restrictions on abilities. Just turn up and make it your own!
Popular amongst our senior members, our Tai Chi classes for over 50s are low impact, easy on the joints and great fun when shared with friends!
Our members over a certain age love nothing more than a morning Tai Chi session, followed by a cuppa tea!
Regularly attending our Tai Chi classes will improve balance, also reducing the risk of falling.
There is no need to worry about being a Tai Chi beginner. Once you get used to moving your body in certain ways, it’s really not difficult at all. Focus on letting your body move your first class, rather than getting the moves perfect. You’ll find some movements easier than others, though you’ll pick them up quickly.
Stand in a spot where you can easily see the instructor and fellow members on both sides. The slow and gracious movements make it easy for you to watch your fellow Village Gym members if you’re ever struggling, and simply follow their lead.
Want to try it out first? Join us for the day and try one of our Tai Chi classes during your visit.
Become a Tai Chi master and experience the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and healing benefits, from the inside, out.
Whether it’s a short-term membership to suit your budget, or a full 12 month commitment so you can come in when it suits you, our memberships allow you to get your fitness fix. Wherever you are in the UK, there will be a Village Gym near you.
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Is Tai Chi or Yoga better?
Yoga and Tai Chi offer very similar benefits, but Tai Chi is closer in style to a martial art with flowing moves, whereas our Yoga classes are is based around poses and postures which have to be held.
How much does a Tai Chi class cost?
At the Village Gym, most of our membership options include holistic classes such as Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. You can also buy a gym pass which allows class bookings.
Can I do Tai Chi with bad knees?
Learning Tai Chi can improve balance and strength, however, it does involve twisting single-leg movements which could aggravate bad knees. We would recommend getting professional advice before attending any fitness classes with any health issue.
How do I start learning Tai Chi?
The best way to learn and practice tai chi is with an instructor. Our Tai Chi classes are designed for all ages and abilities. Our highly skilled instructors will help you grow your confidence and master the moves of Tai Chi. Find a Village Gym near you, sign up to the membership that suits you and start your Tai Chi journey.
