JOetaiji
Please read this before scrolling down to fees etc
3 Types of Taiji.
There is genuine traditional Taiji, 'healing' Taiji or 'gymnastic' Taiji.
We teach traditional Taiji ensuring that students progress through a long serious training, which produces true inner evolution, a deep well-being and some ability at self-defense based on sensitivity and internal power rather than external strength and speed.
The sublime experience of the past great practitioners is passed down, which requires effort from both students and teachers. The teachers have themselves been through such long training previously, with their own genuine teachers.
However, more commonly, you may well come across "healing" Taiji where people practice lightly to feel outwardly better and recover from the pressure of work and daily life. Like modern 'Yoga", there is some external value in this but it does not lead to internal refinement.
And thirdly you may also see "gymnastic" Taiji where all esoteric training is scorned and either beautiful "wushu" postures, or rough fighting movements are trained, perhaps with silk uniforms, sometimes for competition. This Taiji was officially promoted over the last 60-70 years but has mostly lost the refined subtlety of the original art.
These last 2 methods are typically taught merely as a means of making a living. The lightly trained instructors, easily create new movements and systems which propagate their own simple ideas. These methods may increase attachment to and identification with the body (consolidating the ego).
This is a long way from the great purpose of the deep and subtle art of true Traditional Taiji that we teach.
I suggest you think twice before investing your time in these last 2 - ask yourself what is really important in your life, then stay true to that and make your choice.
HOW TO START:
Come and watch a full class (perhaps joining in a few exercises) for free and ask your questions.
We can have a chat about what you hope to get from the training.
Please Note: We don't teach seated Taiji, and you have to be able to stand and move around for the duration of the class.
After seeing if the teaching suits you, try some classes as a 'pay as you go' visitor for one month. After that regularly train to gain the best experience from the teaching and make steady progress.
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By far the best value is to pay the monthly fee, and then train twice a week or more for the same fee. Included in your monthly fee is a series of step by step video lessons to help your early learning.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
FEES, HOW MUCH?
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Introductory 'pay as you go' for your first month at £7 per class for the one hour classes, and £10 per class for the one and a half hour classes.
This gives you a chance to experience what we do and see if it's really for you.
​After the one month 'ease in' period you then pay the monthly training fee giving full access to all classes. We ask attendance of twice a week or more to ensure progress. You can mix and match classes as you choose.
From extensive experience, we know that twice a week training is a minimum to ensure progress - Think of learning a language or musical instrument.
£60 per month.
Works out much less than 'pay as you go'. Additionally, paying monthly gives you the 5th week in a five week month free, and access to the specially designed video reference material created to support your early learning of the Short Form and Loosening exercises. (for longer trained there is Long Form and QuickFist reference videos)
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Of course you may wish jump straight in, or even after just a few classes decide to commit to monthly payment and gain those benefits.
Please remember, in our school there are No contracts, No uniforms, No belts,
No T shirts to buy, No additional charges, and you can leave at any time.
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​​When comparing prices of classes and quality of instruction please note that some classes being taught may be nothing more than simple movements, with mystical names, silk uniforms, with soft music, taught by lightly trained instructors.
Always ask about the experience and qualifications of the instructor.
True Taiji
"Taiji as a moving art trains intention, awareness and intelligence, within the energies of the lower dantian (body and etheric level).
On every level there is an external and an internal aspect.
The external aspect is based in the physical body while the internal aspect is based in the etheric energy field."
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​Think of learning to play a musical instrument or a new language, if only training once a week you go back to near zero by the time the next lesson comes round.
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Financial Difficulty: Talk to me please.
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What should I wear?
Loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes. or trainers.
Do I need equipement?
No.
Am I fit enough?
You will need to be able to stand and move around for the duration of the class.
If you have specific concerns please consult your doctor before beginning the training.
Taiji is a 'soft' internal art practiced using gentle rhythmic movements and partner exercises. It is suitable for both men and women of all ages and fitness levels.
What happens as I progress?
You will be introduced to the 5 Loosening exercises, 37 Movement Short Form, and set Pattern partner exercises. Each class you will add a new posture from the Form, and refine the previous one, Step by Step.
A series of videos are included in your training fee to ensure smooth progress.
There is much more to learn than just the outer shape and sequence of movements, so putting in place a smooth, relaxed, aligned, co-ordinated Form will allow you to begin to deepen the practice towards your inner journey.
Trained before?
It's not necessary to have done so of course, complete beginners are most welcome!
We also wholeheartedly welcome those who have trained in Taiji or other martial arts and wish to deepen their understanding.
Don't expect it to be the same as what you've done in the past, it almost certainly won't be!
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Please come with an open mind, letting go of pre-conceived ideas about what is and isn't Taiji. Ours is a deep, long lineage of teachings, passed down through generations of intelligent masters of the art.
Aiming for the 'higher martial arts', as did the knowledgeable old masters, our teaching is sometimes at odds with the proliferation of easily expounded lightweight ideas in the many outer schools, but completely aligned with the Taiji Classics.
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BOOKS
By Patrick Kelly (my teacher)
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Student Prices - available for students through Joe at the school
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Spiritual Reality £28
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Relax, Deep Mind £28
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Infinite Dao £38
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Purchase Patrick's books online with free worldwide shipping at
or see Links page.
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Spiritual Reality
A concise model of the spiritual reality of life, containing necessary and sufficient methods for self-realisation, thereby escaping the otherwise incessant rounds of lives and deaths.
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Infinite Dao
A 35 year account of Patrick Kelly's experiences under the guidance of Daoist, Sufi and Yogi sages. It reveals their essential principles and practices, coloured by the natures of these remarkable sages.
Quality cloth bound flexi cover. 300+ pages.
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RelaxDeepMind
Taiji principles explained, with detailed photographs of the 5 loosening exercises of Master Huang Xingxian and his Taiji Form (based on the 37 move Form of Zheng ManQing)
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Purchase or read more of the books at:
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