Tai Chi Coalville

21/06/2026

TAI CHI AND THE BODY'S SUPPORT SYSTEM
Many of us spend our lives trying to hold ourselves up.
We tighten our shoulders, stiffen our neck & back, lock our knees and brace our muscles, as though the body were a tent that might collapse without constant effort.
Tai Chi suggests something different.
Beneath all the tension is a support system that nature has already provided: our bones.
When the body is aligned, the skeleton can carry much of the body's weight. The muscles still work, of course, but they are no longer struggling to do a job that belongs to the bones.
This is one reason why Tai Chi movements are practised slowly.
The slower pace allows us to notice unnecessary effort.
Can the shoulders & knees soften?
Can we train the feet to carry our weight in a balanced way?
Can we trust the structure beneath us?
Over time in tai chi, many people discover a surprising feeling: they are not holding themselves up quite as much as they thought.
Instead of forcing the body into position, we learn to arrange it so that it can support itself. Developing better postural integration, which encourages the whole body to move as all of a piece, enables that support.

You'll see in the video that Susan exerted a great force from her centre, & that wouldn't have happened if she didn't have postural integrity. Postural integrity is part of how we are able to encourage flow of qi in tai chi. Part of postural integrity is trusting the support of the bones, which helps tremendously in ensuring there is minimal tension in the muscles. Note also that her subject's waist "broke" as he was uprooted, - i.e. he lost his postural integrity.
Of course in tai chi for health we're not concerned with uprooting people but, just as in tai chi for combat, we are concerned with all the principles of movement, calm concentration & intention that enable the health-promoting flow of the qi (universal energy or life-force).
Tai chi is counter-intuitive. The taoist would say "achieve more by doing less".

Tai Chi Power | Delivering from the Kua Issuing force from the hand...

20/05/2026

Hello everyone. I’ve had a bit of a cold, then a holiday by the sea, & now I’m re-reading Go Rin No Sho (A Book of Five Rings) by Myamoto Musashi (born 1584), Japanese sword master, while I’m gradually easing back into studying & teaching tai chi. It’s one of the books still studied in Japan for its insights into strategy.
So just a short post this week.
Musashi says the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. In combat, fear inhibits skill, & this relationship with death is one pillar of remaining calm, as well as part of a wider philosophy.
All this set me to thinking about overarching, guiding wisdom in tai chi not as a martial art but as a health practice, in contrast to much Western exercise.
In tai chi: -
The body is not an enemy to dominate.
It is not a machine to optimise.
It is not a battlefield on which to prove worth.
Soft overcomes hard.
Invest in failure.
More next time.

06/04/2026

Mindful Soft Movement — a gentle weekly reset

I’m delighted that my Mindful Soft Movement class continues to grow, with lovely feedback from people who are discovering just how calming and accessible it can be.

Mindful Soft Movement is based mainly on Qi Gong. There are no difficult steps to learn, no complicated sequences to remember, and no pressure to “get it right.” Everything is slow, soft and gentle, allowing you to move in a relaxed and natural way.

We practise standing up, moving calmly to soothing music, letting the body unwind while the mind settles. The movements are simple, flowing, and easy to follow — making the class suitable for all ability levels.

• calming
• meditative
• gently strengthening
• quietly uplifting
• like a weekly reset for body and mind

If you'd like an hour of softness, calm, and gentle movement in a friendly atmosphere, you would be very welcome to join us.
The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville, Mondays 7:15 - 8:15pm. £6.
Tai Chi for Arthritis classes continue at MRC:-
Mon 2:00 - 3:00 & 3:15 - 4:15
Tues 2:00 - 3:00 & 3:15 - 4:15
Call Peter on 07946 203720
https://www.taichicoalville.co.uk
[email protected]

30/03/2026

It's been a quietly joyful few weeks.
TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS
& MINDFUL SOFT MOVEMENT

Mindful Soft Movement is now approaching its third month, and I’ve been genuinely touched by the feedback from those attending. People often speak about how calm they feel afterwards… & how they appreciate soft slow exercise that doesn't feel like exercise.
The magic is in the softness.

Alongside this, the new tai chi classes are growing in numbers.

All sessions remain:
• Slow, gentle, and meditative
• Suitable for all ability levels
• Focused on improving physical and mental wellbeing

First lesson is free, & it'll be £6 per lesson from April 1st.

Classes at The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville:

🕒 Monday Tai Chi
• 2:00–3:00 (currently full, with waiting-list).
• 3:15–4:15

🕊 Monday Mindful Soft Movement
• 7:15 - 8:15 pm
NB Marlene Reid Centre is closed for the bank holiday.

🕒 Tuesday Tai Chi
• 2:00–3:00 (currently full, with waiting-list).
• 3:15–4:15

You’d be very welcome to join us.

27/03/2026

Another bite-sized chunk of tai chi.
Cheng Man Ching, who devised a new system of tai chi bearing his name, describes how he was perplexed by the idea that in tai chi, we should not use qi, or vital energy. He says this in the preface to "The Essence & Applications of Taijiquan" by Yang Chengfu, published in 1934. He had believed it necessary to channel, project, & otherwise "send" qi in order to be a consummate martial artist. Short-circuit to his preface, in which he explains that if you set out to use qi, it's insufficient, even interfering with qi, making it stagnate. What's needed is yi, or intention. He said he hadn't learned this lesson until he'd been practising for some time, & had been given guidance by a new teacher. Using yi, the tai chi practitioner encourages or enhances the flow of qi, but the striving to use qi does not.
My repeated experience in tai chi is that when I can concentrate in a relaxed way, directing my body with my mind, intending that my body move in a particular way, I have an experience as though something else is moving my body powerfully, not me. I think (though I'm still very much a novice, & unsure) that this is an experience of the qi flowing in an enhanced way (or, in the terms of Taoism, flowing unimpeded, when I act according to "wu wei", or not interfering with how nature works). I speculate that this is part of what Cheng Man Ching meant about the effect of using yi instead of qi. The very act of efforting to use qi, inhibits qi, & induces qi stagnation.
What does this have to do with practising Tai Chi for Arthritis? The answer lies in the qi. When we learn to be soft, with a quiet mind, directing the body with yi, or intention, we are allowing excellent flow of qi, just as the martial artist does. For our purposes, this excellent flow of qi is what brings health benefits , even healing benefits. We study the same means of encouraging qi as the tai chi martial artist, without martial intent, & reap the health & vitality rewards.
Tai chi has astonishing depth, & more & more I understand why they say it's a lifetime study. Many of its ideas seem contradictory, even to someone like Cheng Man Ching, whose new style of tai chi is now practised worldwide. There are also things it's possible to discover for oneself & which can't be explained without doing tai chi. Sometimes it makes my head spin, - in a good way.
I emphasise that when I write these pieces, it's often because I've been doing some reading, & musing on discoveries about facets of tai chi practice, not because I have a great store of knowledge. It's a treat to still be intrigued, surprised & beguiled by tai chi after decades (intermittently!) of study.
"The soft overcomes the hard"
- Lao Tzu

23/03/2026

> I'm pleased to say that my Mindful Soft Movement class is established at The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville
> Mindful Soft Movement is largely qi gong ("Chinese standing yoga")
> Calming Eastern music helps settle the mind & soften the body
> A weekly reset, physically & emotionally
> Simple, accessible exercises rather than long sequences
> No complicated steps to remember
> Slow & soft. It's all done standing up
> Soothing Eastern music,- helps the mind settle & the body soften
> Improve strength & balance through softness, not strain
> Mindful - Helps develop calm attention, & awareness
A friendly understanding atmosphere
Mondays, 7:15pm at The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville. £6.
Cal Peter on 07946 203720
https://www.taichicoalville.co.uk
[email protected] (please leave 'phone-number)

22/03/2026

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS

Many of us live with joint pain, balance difficulties, or neurological challenges.
I do too.
More recently, I’ve also experienced some memory lapses—even while teaching.
But one of the central principles of tai chi is this:
we work with the body as it is, not as we think it should be.

In classical tai chi thinking, softness is not weakness—it is wisdom.
We do not force the joints, strain for perfection, or chase an “ideal” shape.
Instead, we follow the Taoist principle of strength through yielding:
what adapts, endures.

There are movements I cannot perform in the “textbook” way.
My knees and ankles won’t allow it.
So I adjust. I soften. I continue.

Many people feel they cannot do tai chi because their body will not fit the form.
But the deeper truth is the opposite:
the form is there to fit the person.

In our classes:
• We move slowly and gently
• We let go of strain and unnecessary effort
• We cultivate balance—not just physically, but mentally
• We allow awareness to grow, without pressure

This reflects another key idea in tai chi:
calm attention over effort, awareness over striving.

You don’t need to be flexible.
You don’t need a good memory.
You don’t need to “get it right.”

You simply need to begin.

If you’d like to explore tai chi in a friendly, understanding environment, you’ll be very welcome.

First class free – come and see if it suits you.
Classes are £4 (rising to £6 from April 2026).

Mondays
2:00 – 3:00 (currently full), and 3:15 – 4:15 (spaces).

Also Monday:
Mindful Soft Movement, which is mostly qi gong (“Chinese standing yoga “). No steps to learn. With soothing music. A weekly reset.
7:15–8:15pm

Tuesdays
2:00 – 3:00 (currently full), and 3:15 – 4:15 (spaces).

All classes at:
The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville

🌐 https://www.taichicoalville.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07946 203720

Come as you are. Move as you can. It will be enough.

Tai Chi for all abilities, including people with joint and balance problems. Venu: Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville. Mon 1:30 - 3:00 and Tues 2:00 - 3:30.

08/03/2026

Do you live with joint problems?
Do you have mild memory lapses?
Perhaps your balance isn't all that it could be?

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS

Like many people, I live with joint problems, balance difficulties and some neurological challenges.
Recently, I've also had some memory lapses, including when teaching.
In the philosophy of tai chi we are encouraged to work with our body as it is. I do some of the movements in tai chi "incorrectly" because my knees and ankles won't tolerate the movement when it's done exactly right, but I'm still doing Tai chi. There are loads of people whose joint & balance problems mean they can't put their limbs into exactly the right position, but they're still doing tai chi.
In my classes, we do everything slowly, softly, & without pressure.
If you'd like to explore tai chi in a friendly, understanding environment come and join us. Your first lesson will be free so that you can find out if it suits you. All classes are £4, until April 2026 when they will be £6.

Two Monday tai chi classes:- 2:00-3:00 (currently full), & 3:15-4:15.

Also on Monday - Mindful Soft Movement, (no steps to learn) based on qi gong (Chinese standing yoga) with soothing music, 7:15-8:15pm.

Two Tuesday tai chi classes:- 2:00-3:00 ( currently full), & 3:15-4:15.

All at The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville.
https://www.taichicoalville.co.uk
[email protected]
07946 203720

Tai Chi for all abilities, including people with joint and balance problems. Venu: Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville. Mon 1:30 - 3:00 and Tues 2:00 - 3:30.

07/03/2026

Do you live with joint problems?
Do you have mild memory lapses?
Perhaps your balance isn't all that it could be?

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS

Like many people, I live with joint problems, balance difficulties and some neurological challenges.
Recently, I've also had some memory lapses, including when teaching.
In the philosophy of tai chi we are encouraged to work with our body as it is. I do some of the movements in tai chi "incorrectly" because my knees and ankles won't tolerate the movement when it's done exactly right, but I'm still doing Tai chi. There are loads of people whose joint & balance problems mean they can't put their limbs into exactly the right position, but they're still doing tai chi.
In my classes, we do everything slowly, softly & without pressure.
If you'd like to explore tai chi in a friendly, understanding environment come and join us. Your first lesson will be free so that you can find out if it suits you.

Monday tai chi 2:00-3:00 (currently full) & 3:15-4:15.

Monday Mindful Soft Movement, based on qi gong (Chinese standing yoga) 7:15-8:15pm.

Tuesday tai chi 2:00-3:00 ( currently full) & 3:15-4:15.

All at The Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville.
https://www.taichicoalville.co.uk
[email protected]
07946 203720

Tai Chi for all abilities, including people with joint and balance problems. Venu: Marlene Reid Centre, Coalville. Mon 1:30 - 3:00 and Tues 2:00 - 3:30.

01/03/2026

Correction.
In a recent post I wrote about qi gong (sometimes called “Chinese standing yoga”) becoming better known. I apologise that I posted an unproofed version referring to “wi gong” instead of qi gong.