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Welcome to Tai Chi in Warwick

Here you can find information on the relaxed and informal weekly classes in Warwick that offer Yang style Tai Chi, including both Long and Broad Sword forms, fan form as well as Qigong.

Tai Chi in Warwick is part of the Wha Duc Lung Martial Arts Association headed by Grand Master Bob Weatherall, which is recognised by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts. Tai Chi in Warwick also works very closely with Master Dan Amphlett and Alex Hyde who head the Longfeng Martial and Cultural Arts Association, which is also closely associated with Wha Duc Lung MAA.

ROOTED IN TRADITION, MADE FOR TODAY.

 

Yinyang2

 

What is Tai Chi Chuan?

Tai Chi is a form of low impact exercise developed by the Chinese many centuries ago. It is often referred to as “moving meditation” and is rooted in Taoism, a philosophy  that explores the duality of Yin and Yang. Tai Chi practice is as well building physical strength and is a path to mental, physical and spiritual fitness.

T’ai Chi is a Chinese exercise system based on a series of slow controlled, gentle movements which are stretching the body and channelling the internal energy (Chi) and aimed to promote good health, well-being and gently stimulating the body. The slow, smooth relaxed exercises naturally deepen the breathing and calms the mind as a form of moving meditation.

Tai Chi/Qigong are exercises which help you to breathe properly, relax, gently stretch your body, improve your balance and help to deal with stress. A body under stress does not function optimally.When practising T’ai Chi, relaxation starts to become a habit, the stress hormones no longer predominate and your body can begin to heal itself.

 Tai Chi’s aim is to balance the life force (Chi) and cultivate good health and a calm mind. There are various styles of Tai Chi and the one we teach is called Yang Tai Chi. The Yang style is characterised by long, smooth movements which are soothing for the mind and body. ​​

T’ai Chi and Qigong discipline you to focus only on the present moment, freeing your mind to be at ease.

 

At Tai Chi Warwick we focus on Yang style Tai Chi, concentrating on a variety of open hand forms that include the 8, 16, 24 and 48 posture forms plus the Simplified 24 Forms composed by Jifu Huang and the 37 postures form by Cheng Man-Ching.

For more experienced students we also practise both long sword and broad swords forms.

"Relaxes your mind and body"
"Gently strengthens and tones muscles"

Open Hand Form

The open hand forms of Tai Chi are the slow, gentle and flowing movements that are sometimes referred to as meditation in movement. The Forms are made up of a number of postures that are linked together in to one long flowing routine. Practising the Tai Chi forms will help improve balance, health and general wellbeing. It will also promote the smooth flow of internal energy or Chi. The gentle movements aid relaxation and quietening the mind, which is invaluable in today’s stressed and fast paced world.

Mats W

Mats Wivesson

My first contact with t’ai chi was in 1992 in Ealing, London. Unfortunately, my progress was cut short due to work commitments i.e. international travel. I moved to Walton-on-Thames in 2005 where I started at Master Hine Tai Chi Institute (co-founder of T’ai Chi & Qigong Union for Great Britain). I practised weekly with the excellent instructor Kevin Mullins (Walton T’ai Chi School) and attended Master Hines Saturday seminars as well.

At the Walton T’ai Chi School, I was practising:

  • T’ai Chi Short Form / T’ai Chi Long Form (Yang Style)
  • Chi Kung (Chi Breathing) / Kung Ching (Chi Building)
  • Chi Circulation / Crane Breathing
  • Pushing Hands and Taoist Massage

At Master Hine’s seminars I was practising:

  • Fan form (single and double)
  • Gim (straight sword)
  • Moving the Centre and Yin /Yang Hands

In 2018, I moved to Banbury and started at the British Tai Chi Academy with Master Peter Fletcher.  I’m practising with Master Peter the Yang style: 8 movements, 24 movements, 48 movements, Qi Gong and Reflexology.

I was fortunate to be accepted as a student at Warwick Tai Chi in 2023 and to practice with the absolutely fantastic Master Colin Hooper. I now added the 8-, 16,- 24,- (Beijing simplified form), Master Huang 24 movement form and Cheng Man Ching’s 37 movements form. The martial arts application and more qigong

I have the following T’AI CHI & QIGONG INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES:

T’ai Chi and Qigong Union for Great Britain; instructors’ certificate at intermediate level

International Taiji & Qigong Federation; Full Taiji & Qigong instructors’ certificate at Intermediate Level 2

British T’ai Chi Academy; Instructor’s certificate for Yang style 8-, 24-, and 48 movements form.

I have full liability insurance and I’m teaching both beginners and intermediate students in Banbury and Warwick.

 

WHA DUC LUNG SCHOOL,LONGFENG MARTIAL ART & CULTURAL ARTS,

TAI CHI IN WARWICK, RED RIVER TAI CHI, TAI CHI DERWENT

 

Wha Duc Lung Martial Arts Association

Grand Master Bob Weatherall is the founder of the Wha Duc Lung School of Gung Fu and Wha Duc Lung Martial Arts Association. Grand Master Bob was one of the first Occidentals to go to Hong Kong to train in Gung Fu in the 1960’s.  Master Bob has direct lineage with White Crane Gung Fu and Master Luk Chi Fu, who was one of the World’s six Grand Masters.  Master Bob was one of the original founding members of the BCCMA, (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts).

Master Bob gained his knowledge of Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Gung and Northern Shaolin from Master Huang Jifu, whos simplified 24 movements form is part of today’s training.

In 2020 Grand Master Bob stepped back and Master Dan became the Chief Instructor of Wha Duc Lung, Grand Master Bob is still the head of Wha Duc Lung.

 

Longfeng Martial & Cultural Arts

Longfeng Martial & Cultural Arts was created by Master Dan (Amphlett) and Alexandra (Hyde) in 2006 providing cultural sessions in schools and running Gung Fu classes in Warwickshire, West Midlands and Leicestershire. Master Dan and Alexandra began Gung Fu training in the early 1990’s.

Longfeng Martial & Cultural Arts joined Master Bob’s organisation at the beginning of 2007.  It has provided a continuous professional development and Master Dan and Alexandra began regular training sessions with Master Bob continuing their Gung Fu journey in Wha Duc Lung, White Crane, Tai Chi and Qigong. Master Dan is Chief Instructor of Wha Duc Lung School of Gung Fu, Wha Duc Lung Martial Arts Association and Longfeng Martial Arts Association.

Chief Instructor: Master Dan

Senior Instructor: Alexander Hyde

 

Tai Chi in Warwick (Wo li ke Tai Chi )

Senior Instructor Colin Hooper is the founder of Tai Chi in Warwick. He began martial arts training as a teenager, practising karate and Judo before starting practising Tai Chi Chuan with Master Paul Brewer of the Heaven Mountain School. He joined the Wha Duc Lung MAA in 1999. He retired down south, Devon in 2024 when Mats Wivesson took over the Tai Chi school classes in Warwick.

Senior Instructor: Colin Hooper

Senior Instructor: Mats Wivesson

Instructor: Esther Duxbury

Instructor: Abigail Darling

 

Red River Tai Chi (Chìshuǐ Tai Chi)

Senior instructor Liz Berkinshaw founded the Red River Tai Chi in Glendaruel (glen of the red river) Scotland. Liz practised with Colin Hooper at Warwick Tai Chi for many years. River Tai Chi offer tai chi classes, in the same format as Tai Chi Warwick, every Monday evening.

Senior Instructor: Liz Berkinshaw

Tai Chi Derwent. 

Senior instructor Ian Parker is the founder of Tai Chi Derwent. Ian practised with Colin Hooper at the Tai Chi Warwick over many years. The river Derwent runs east of York and south through farmland and lots of small villages where Ian plan to have a number of Tai Chi classes.

Senior Instructor: Ian Parker

 

 

 

Classes

Classes are held weekly on Tuesday evenings for beginners
and Wednesday evenings for intermediate and advanced students,
at the John Atkinson Sports Centre in Warwick
All ages, levels & abilities are welcome.

 

John Atkinson Sports Centre
(Myton School)
Myton Road
Warwick
CV34 6PJ
 

School reception Tel: 01926 402 335

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Tai Chi Chuan?

    Tai Chi is a form of exercise, developed by the Chinese but it is so much more than just an exercise. Tai Chi is an internal cultural art and is the Chinese path to mental, physical and spiritual fitness. It can also be an effective method of self defence. For more experienced students we also practice fan forms as well as both long and broad sword forms.

  • What is involved?

    Tai Chi consists of a series of linked, slow, flowing relaxed movements in a form of moving meditation. By practicing Tai Chi regularly, you can increase mental fitness as well as physical fitness.

  • Who can practice Tai Chi?

    The gentleness of the Tai Chi forms means that people of any age or condition can practice the art and gain from it. (If you are unsure about whether or not Tai Chi is suitable for you, please consult your Doctor before beginning)

  • How can Tai Chi improve health?

    The movements, although slow, gently tone and strengthen the muscles, improves blood circulation and balance whilst relaxing the mind and body. This makes Tai Chi a good natural antidote to stress.

  • What are fan forms?

    These are tai chi forms (routines) that involve the use of either one or two fans.

  • What are Tai Chi Sword forms?

    These are Tai Chi Forms or routines which are practised using a long sword or a broad sword. The swords are made of metal (but not sharp!) or hard wood.

  • What do I need to get started?

    Light, loose casual clothes e.g. T-Shirt and jog bottoms or a tracksuit and flat shoes, plus an open mind!

  • How much does it cost?

    Classes at Tai Chi in Warwick are currently £8 each, payable monthly in advance. There is also an annual insurance and membership fee about £25. This is payable after the first couple of weeks once you are certain you wish to continue learning Tai Chi. The insurance is provided by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts.

  • What is the BCCMA?

    The BCCMA is the UK governing body for all Chinese martial arts in the UK. It is the only such body recognised by the UK Sports Council.

  • Can I just turn up?

    No. Please email me in advance using the contact form at the bottom of the page, to check class availability.

  • Is the class friendly?

    Tai Chi in Warwick is a small, friendly and welcoming class which is made up of people of all ages and abilities. It also occasionally socialises outside of class for dinners and BBQs.

  • Is there an age limit?

    No there is no age limit! Tai Chi can be done by anyone of any age, although for these classes, participants are required to be 18 years of age and above.

  • Is there car parking at the venues?

    Yes loads of it and it is free.

Contact

Please feel free to contact Mats with any queries or questions you may have.

All conversations are private and confidential and no details will be passed on to any third parties.