Choosing a Tai Chi Class

I suggested the following to someone today and then realised that they were good tips for choosing a Tai Chi (Taiji) class

1) Find a class near enough to where you are so that you will train each week.

2) Find a class where, at the end of the class you leave with a smile - it should be fun physically and mentally - it may well also be hard work but should still be fun. A lot of Tai Chi teachers take themselves and the art WAY too seriously

3) Your instructor should understand that Tai Chi is a martial art that was originally designed for combat and they should have some appreciation of how to apply the moves in the art to maim and kill - that's NOT because you want to learn those things, but an instructor who understands the HOW of combat will generally be much better at teaching the HOW of health and vitality - it's to do with understanding the correct body mechanics and efficient use of energy.

My own club in Buxton http://www.buxtontaichi.co.uk is always happy to see new peopel with or without prior martial or health arts experience.