Tai Chi for Health Newsletter
Tai Chi news and views - a resource for students in East Sussex
Welcome to the Spring edition of your Tai
Chi for Health newsletter. Despite the
temporary sunny warmth as this is written (on
4th April), we are promised another dusting
of snow soon - perfect for practising your
outdoor Tai Chi!
If have any
comments, suggestions, or questions about Tai
Chi or
our classes, please feel free to send them
in or ring
Paul, Bekki, Tina, Rosie or Joel on 01273
470955. If you'd like to
contribute to
future editions of this newsletter, we'd love
to hear
from you.
Whether you are a new student, or returning
after some time off, I look forward to
seeing you at one of our classes very soon.
With very best wishes,
Paul
(TCUGB Registered Instructor)
Tai Chi in the News
Tai Chi exercises can help people with
type 2 diabetes control their condition,
research suggests.
Both studies, by researchers in Taiwan and
Australia, appear in the British Journal of
Sports Medicine.
Around 1.8 million people in the UK have type
2 diabetes and another 750,000 are thought to
be undiagnosed.
The first study, by a team in Taiwan,
compared 30 people with diabetes with 30
healthy people acting as controls.
Over 12 weeks the participants learned 37 Tai
Chi movements under the guidance of an
expert, and took home a video to study the
correct poses.
They took part in three hour-long sessions a
week.
At the end of the programme, tests on the
group with type 2 diabetes showed a drop in
their blood sugar levels, and a boost in the
level of cells and chemicals key to a healthy
immune response.
Tai Chi classes in Lewes
Next term begins Monday 7th April
New term enrolling now!
The next series of classes in Lewes
begins on
Monday 7th April at the All
Saints Centre, Friars Walk, Lewes.
Beginners classes take place from
6.00-7.00pm;
Improvers from 7.00-8.00pm; and Advanced
level (for
those who have completed the Short Form)
from 8.00-9.00pm, with Sword practice
immediately
after this class.
Students with
some experience may wish to join the Improver
class (7.00pm) or the
Advanced class (8.00pm) - please call for
more details. There are only a few places now
left
for each level. Please feel free to
call
or email for updated information.
Enrolling for the next Beginners or Improvers Course is simple: you can
call in to Equilibrium, 16 Station St, Lewes BN7 2DB during normal
working hours; or send a cheque (payable to phone to Equilibrium
Health Centre); or phone to reserve your place. we will hold a reserved
place for up to 48 hours - call 01273 470955. Pleasenote that in
order to keep costs down we are unable to take credit or debit card
payments - cash or cheque only please.
Students with special needs
All classes are fully accessible
Students with special needs
Our
classes are
open to all. They are suitable
for anyone who has difficulty in standing or
walking or who is a wheelchair user, and
able-bodied
students with mild learning difficulties are
also
welcome. Carers of students with special
needs who
attend the class to support that student
receive a
free place.
The All Saints Centre has full
access for
people
with disabilities. Parking is available
directly outside the
venue,
and is free from 6.00pm.
There is also a special daytime class in
Newhaven (see below)
primarily, though not exclusively for carers.
The Hillcrest Centre also has full
access for
people
with disabilities, with free on-site parking.
Tai Chi classes in Newhaven
Next term begins Friday 11th April
For carers who are looking after elderly or
disabled
relatives, exercise is an important way to stay
healthy and fit. When lifting or performing
strenuous
movements, carers need to adopt the correct
posture in order to avoid straining. Substantial
improvements in breathing capacity, lower back
flexibility and leg muscle strength can be
obtained
from regular Tai Chi practice.
This weekly 11.30am-12.30pm course aims to provide a basic understanding
of Tai Chi principles and practice, and is open to all carers at
a special reduced rate. There is also an opportunity to meet other
carers, and after the class to discuss issues (such as respite care/
feeling exhausted/ having little or no time to oneself/ being able
to receive as well as give) which affect all carers. There's even
a tasty lunch at the Community Cafe at the Hillcrest Centre, where
you can eat well and cheaply after the class!
The next term at the Hillcrest Centre, Hillcrest Rd, Newhaven
begins on Friday 11th April at 11.30am and continues every Friday
until summer. There are still a few places available at a specially
reduced concessionary rate of £6 per class for carers (normal
rate £6.50), payable termly - please telephone 01273 470955 to
book your place.
New Tai Chi centre to open in Lewes
A sneak preview of the Yin -Yang inspired Tai
Chi centre shortly to open on the library
site in Lewes.
The Planning Committee last Monday evening
expressed their delight at this alternative
proposal to 59 boring box houses.
Well......
...
we can all dream can't we?!
Tai Chi shoes
Where to find your pair
Just loose comfortable clothing is all
you really
need
to start Tai Chi. Eventually, however, you
may like to
obtain the canvas-soled Tai Chi shoes that we
wear
in class. They are fairly inexpensive, and
can be worn
comfortably around the house as well as when
practising. The Costume Store at 16 Station St,
Lewes (above Equilibrium Health Centre) sells
them, at £7.05 a pair. They can also be found at
Yum
Yum's
supermarket in the North Laines, Brighton for
£10.50
a pair.
If you are planning a trip to London, there are shops in Chinatown which
sell them for around £5 a pair (turn left out of Leicester Square
tube and head into Little Newport St). Occasionally they can be
picked up at street markets for even less than this (though they
tend to be seasonal). Make sure you try them on first if possible,
as sizing is not always 100% accurate.
Tai Chi training shoes are also available online at shops such
as Wushu Direct (from 7.90 Euros) - please see link below. If
you find another local retailer selling Tai Chi shoes, please
tell us and we'll include details in the next edition.
Useful links
We look forward to
seeing
you soon. Enjoy your practice!
Meanwhile,
here are some useful links for keeping in
touch or finding out more about Tai Chi.
