Practical Tai Chi Edinburgh
We’re a small, friendly and inclusive class that meets on Tuesday nights to practise tai chi. Unlike many tai chi classes, we not only cover the forms – the traditional slow movements for which tai chi is best known – but also practise self-defence applications, pad work and ‘pushing hands’ (where you try to unbalance your training partner).
In a typical session, we start off with drills to practise body movements and footwork. We then look at applications before moving on to forms. Usually, we finish off with some free ‘pushing hands’ – putting the techniques we’ve learned into practice.
Not everyone enjoys the more physical side of tai chi, and that’s fine by us. Some of our students prefer to focus on the forms for health, relaxation and meditation. Others relish pushing hands and practising self-defence applications. We’re happy to have students focus on what suits them best – there’s room for everyone!
Besides the unarmed ‘hand’ techniques, we also practise sabre, sword and spear forms and their applications. And, when the weather warrants it, we hold outdoors sessions in Holyrood Park on Sundays.
Tai chi chuan (aka taijiquan) is a centuries-old Chinese martial art. We practise the Wudang style, which was developed in Hong Kong by Chen Tin hung. Our school was founded by the late Dan Docherty, a renowned martial artist and teacher, and the author of many books on Chinese martial arts. At Practical Tai Chi Edinburgh, our teachers are Lee Marsh PTCCI level 7 and assistant teachers Fi Torrance and Andrew Forrest, both of whom have practiced the art for many years. Lee has been a studying tai chi since 2005 and has competed in push hands and form competitions.
If you’re interested in joining our class, contact us through the form below, so that we can arrange for you to come along for a first free session. We train at the Nelson Hall Community Centre on Edinburgh’s Southside – not far from the Commonwealth Pool.
Practical Tai Chi Edinburgh
5 Spittalfield Crescent
EH8 9QZ
The charges for Tuesday evening 90 minute lessons at the Nelson Hall are £35 for a calendar month, payable in advance. This includes four sessions in the hall and also free tuition on a Sunday morning in the park, weather permitting. No refunds are available if a student is unable to make a class. Lesson can also be paid weekly, please enquire at the class.
Sunday 60 minute sessions only, are charged at £5 a session. New students are not charged for their first class at either session.
Practical Tai Chi Edinburgh 