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Classes | Schools
by Dee McMath
T'ai Chi is an ancient
Chinese mixture of exercise and meditation based on a gentle form
of martial arts. It has been practiced for centuries to promote
good health, longevity and spiritual awareness.
T'ai chi is thought to have been founded about
a century ago by Chang San Feng, Taoist monk and martial arts
expert. It has become
increasingly popular in many parts of Europe and in the last few
years has been added to the many alternative practices on offer
in Andalucia. As with many rediscoveries of ancient exercises,
you will find more classes and T'ai chi teachers in areas of
Andalucia
where there are more resident or visiting British and other foreigners.
There are organised groups and alternative centres along the
Costa
del Sol, especially in Marbella, Fuengirola, and some of the other
towns along the coast. The Granada area and especially around
the
Alpujarra mountain range has many natural retreats and holistic
resorts where you can find one or two week retreats including
T'ai
Chi courses. Some of these can found advertised in UK alternative
magazines and often even in the holiday ads of Sunday papers
like
The Mail on Sunday, and The Sunday Times. In fact, both these papers
have at some time run articles on such holidays in Andalucia.
This ancient form of mind and body exercise is
a combination of meditation and non-aggressive martial arts and
if
practiced properly and with due dedication, promotes wellbeing,
calmness and a long healthy life.
No special clothing is needed, simply something
loose, which you feel comfortable in. The teacher will be a T'ai
chi master and take you through the exercises slowly. You should
tell the teacher of any injuries or physical problems you may have
before starting the class. Warm up exercises will be followed by
instruction on the form of specific moves which may take more time
than you think to pick up. The idea is to be patient and enjoy the
classes, allowing yourself as long as it takes to pick up the flow
of the moves.
You will use your arms and legs and whole body
in T'ai chi and the moves are slow and graceful, encouraging
your body
to rebalance its energies along its natural channels (meridians).
Going with the flow like this makes you feel more relaxed and
at
one with your mind and body. T'ai chi is a great way to reduce
stress and can lower blood pressure. Arthritis suffers can get
great relief
from practicing T'ai chi, as can those recovering from heart attack
or if they are rehabilitating after injury or illness. You should
not push yourself hard and should not feel aches and pains after
a session, but it will help you progress if you practice the
moves
in between classes.
Andalucia has both beautiful beaches and tranquil
mountains for you to practice your T'ai chi moves. Even in the
summer
months, when the coast has thousands of visitors, the morning sunrise
at the water's edge is a calm and ideal place where you can go.
The quieter inland villages and mountain areas also offer the
perfect
setting for this type of calming therapy.
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Cortijo Romero
Spain's leading centre for Tái chi and development holidays, established 1986. Stunning beauty, magnificent environment, huge range of courses, lots more... |
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Escuela de Artes Marciales, Hung Sing Gwoon-Marbella
c/ Notario Luís Oliver - Instituto Río Verde
29600 - Marbella (Málaga)
tlf móvil: 637234348
Maestro: José Cabero
email: josecabero6@hotmail.com |
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