Tai Chi and Qigong training - Jade Dragon School

Tai Chi classes in Reading and Wokingham

Tai chi is a set of slow, flowing movements developed to release tension and restore your health and balance.

Through regular tai chi training you get far greater control over your body, mind and breathing.

Our school teaches the more advanced concepts of tai chi which are rarely found in most schools but ideal for beginners to learn. You get so much more benefit from each class when you understand the deeper principles and learn to use them from the beginning.

Tai chi is also a martial art and teaches you to relax and remain calm and centred even under the most stressful of circumstances. The lessons of tai chi will benefit every area of your life for the rest of your life.

Why Jade Dragon Tai Chi?

Simply because I can teach anyone to gain power, balance and stability through relaxation. Lots of people tell you to relax but they can’t tell you how. That’s what I do.

After your first few lessons you will be able to:

Maintain a posture that is aligned with gravity and will help you resist physical or emotional pressures easily
Breathe in a way that will deeply relax you and make that a habit. But also change your breathing when you need extra energy.
Improve your mobility and balance and be able to move more fluidly and easily.
Stand, walk, sit and breathe in a way that maximises your health and vigour.

Our classes are fun and fascinating and you learn skills that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

Learn to relax and stay relaxed under pressure
Become more fluid and mobile in your movements
Improve your posture and gain balance and strength
Greatly increase your self-awareness through mindful movement
Boost your energy levels
Maintain your vitality as you age
Learn a beautiful and ancient art
Have fun and make new friends in our welcoming tai chi classes in Reading and Wokingham areas. Check out our reviews.

Tai chi has proven benefits in dealing with a wide range of chronic physical and mental health conditions – anxiety, heart disease, arthritis, fibromyalgia etc etc. If proof were needed you can find links to various reputable medical studies by clicking here.

I’m thoroughly enjoying a re-acquaintance with Tai Chi having tried it at University a few decades ago, before getting caught up in a busy life as a GP. My previous classes focused on the Tai Chi form only, but Paul brings a huge additional dimension to the practice; he is clearly extremely knowledgeable regarding the wisdom and philosophy of Tai Chi, and of human anatomy, balance and the breath, bringing Tai Chi to life and making it so relevant in coping with the challenges of modern life in our fraught western society!

Paul makes Tai Chi fun and accessible to all. If you’re at all interested in the practice and art of Tai Chi, I’d highly recommend Paul and his classes as a great way to start!
— Andrew B

Click here for details of our tai chi classes in Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Twyford, Woodley and other locations in Berkshire.

We are now the biggest tai chi school in Berkshire because we teach so much more than just the form. We teach all the correct principles, qigong exercises and more to make sure you progress as quickly as possible. Our classes are all friendly and we make learning tai chi fun.

If you can’t make any of our popular classes you can still learn all the principles and movements of tai chi at home. Check out our online course. Everything is covered and it’s split into easily digested modules to guide you through it.

Free online training module

Get your first module free by filling in your name and email address in the form at the bottom of the page or by turning up to any of our classes.

The Tai Chi Form

The form we teach is the 37 step Yang style short form developed by Professor Cheng Man Ching. Each movement can be done in different ways allowing you to express yourself through the form.

It takes a while to learn but it is a journey that gradually leads to mastery overy your mind, body and breath.

Qigong Training

Qigong refers to any exercise that develops your breathing, body mechanics and energy flow. Qigong is either done with flowing movements or is done standing in stillness.

We teach the rare ‘5 breaths of Tao’ and the 8 animals qigong movements. Each move teaches you to move in a fluid and relaxed yet powerful way like the animal it represents.

Push Hands

An integral part of tai chi training is push hands. This is a partner exercise where you gently push with your partner and aim to maintain all the principles of tai chi. You remain balanced, relaxed, sensitive and receptive to their movements.

With some practice any physical or emotional force acting on you doesn’t instantly trigger your fight or flight responses. You learn to stay relaxed and in control of your mind and body.

I really enjoy Paul’s classes. I have been going fairly regularly and have noticed changes in my body and how I move, and in particular, my balance has improved. Paul explains and demonstrates very clearly, and makes it fun.
— S Lawman