T'AI
CHI CH'UAN
Senior
Instructor: Sifu Gee Higham
Welcome
to Midlands T'ai Chi Ch'uan. As an introduction to this ancient Chinese system
for health from the inside out, perhaps we can answer a few of your questions.
What
is T'ai Chi Ch'uan? Literally translated - Supreme Ultimate Defence. T'ai Chi
Ch'uan combines meditation with gentle physical movement, exercising the mind as
well as the body to bring both into balance. T'ai Chi Ch'uan has been practised
for thousands of years in China and is still enjoyed today by millions of people
all over the world.
What can T'ai
Chi Ch'uan do for me? Popularly called 'moving meditation', T'ai Chi Ch'uan is
far more than something to help you relax. With regular practice it can improve
your posture, balance and co-ordination; make you more supple, increase your
self-awareness and self-confidence; empower you to defend yourself against
aggression; help you cope more easily with the stresses and strains of modern
life. T'ai Chi Ch'uan helps you to help yourself take control of your life, your
health and your own well being.
Do I need to
be fit to start with? No. Anyone can practise T'ai Chi Ch'uan regardless of age,
sex and state of health. Even if you have never exercised before you can join in
without fear of sprains or strain because every action is performed to your own
personal ability. It is never too late to start and T'ai Chi Ch'uan can be
enjoyed well into old age - there is always something new and exciting to
discover.
What do classes involve?
aspects of the Taoist Health nutrition, meditation, Chi Gung
Midland's T'ai Chi Ch'uan
classes cover all Ads including forms - Taoist yoga, diet and sticking hands.
Is it a
martial art? Although T'ai Chi Ch'uan derives from a martial art, we teach it as
a holistic health art. There is no competitive element or grading system, so our
classes have a genuinely relaxed atmosphere, creating an environment of trust
and friendship that makes learning a pleasure. Training is very informal, yet
very disciplined, because it is based on self-discipline. There is a strong
self-defence aspect to T'ai Chi Ch'uan but it is all about making you aware of
and taking responsibility for yourself. After all, the first word in self-defence
is 'self.
What special clothing or
equipment do I need? None. All you need for T'ai Chi Ch'uan is yourself and a
square yard of space. Wear something loose and comfortable like jogging pants or
tracksuit bottoms and a roomy tee-shirt, with light, flexible footwear.
Tai Chi Ch'uan is an
intensely personal experience and we sincerely believe that T'ai Chi Ch'uan is
'quality time’ you give yourself.
Background
Originally
established at Bedworth Arts Centre as Bedworth Tai Chi Ch'uan in February 1993,
Midlands T'ai Chi Ch'uan was formed in April 1995 as a constituent member of
Midlands Wing Chun Kuen. Midlands Wing Chun Kuen under Sifu Shaun Rawdiffe is
recognised by the Sports Council, with full Member to Member and Instructor's
Professional indemnity insurance through the British Council for Chinese Martial
Arts. The Association gained full independant membership of the BCCMA in 2000. The aim of the association is to teach and maintain the purity and
integrity of the Lee Family style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and to promote the health
and well-being of students. A copy of the Midlands Tai Chi Ch'uan Constitution,
details of insurance cover and the Senior Instructor's qualifications are
available for students' reference.
Structure
Midlands
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is based upon the traditional Chinese 'family' culture, with
emphasis on always showing respect for yourself and to others. However, there is
none of the strict discipline or formality typical of many martial art styles,
only self discipline and courtesy. Classes are relaxed, informal and fun, so
that students gain maximum benefit from their T'ai Chi Ch'uan training in an
atmosphere of trust, friendship and belonging. In order to preserve this special
training environment, membership is by invitation only. All students undergo a
four session probationary period, paying only for lessons attended and covered
by the Senior Instructor's Professional Indemnity insurance. At the end of the
probationary period, provided the student has demonstrated an acceptable
attitude, they will be invited to join the Midlands T'ai Chi Ch'uan association,
at which time they will pay an annual membership fee and member to member
insurance premium. Membership allows students access to all Midlands T'ai Chi
Ch'uan classes, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, etc., and the right to wear
the Club uniform. Students are encouraged to actively participate in promoting
the Association's activities and there is also a calendar of social events open
to all members.
T'ai Chi
Ch'uan is concerned solely with personal well-being, so Midlands T'ai Chi Ch’uan
has no grading or coloured sash/belt system, nor is there any form of
competition. Classes are kept small to ensure each student receives personal
instruction and there is a voluntary assessment system to monitor students'
individual progress and structure training to suit the individual's needs.
Students are designated as Beginners, Intermediates and Seniors, leading to
Assistant Instructor and Instructor level.
Fees
Membership
fees and insurance premiums are payable annually in advance. Training fees are
paid per session. Minimum age for membership is 16 years and there is no upper
age limit!
Senior
Instructor Profile
Following an
intense interest in martial arts and Chinese culture spanning two decades, Gee
Higham began practicing Lee Family Style Tai Chi Ch'uan in 1988 for health
reasons and so has personal experience of the potential healing benefits of the
Taoist health arts. In 1992 she qualified as an Instructor under Prof. Chee Soo,
founder of the international Taoist Society and heir to Chan Kam Lee, direct
descendant of the Lee Family style. In the past Gee
Higham has trained in Wing Chun Kuen with Sifu Shaun Rawdiffe of the Midlands Wing
Chun Kuen and has twice visited Hong Kong to train with Grandmaster Ip Chun,
acknowledged as the world's foremost authority on Wing Chun. Gee Higham has had
several articles published in various Martial Arts magazines, and her interest
in Oriental culture extends to Chinese brush painting and calligraphy (which she
teaches as an enthusiastic amateur); she also spent three years learning to
speak Cantonese!
