Level I Tai Chi Information

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

e-mail - taichi@wutan-kungfu.co.uk

phone - 07793 453285

Tai Chi in 2020.

In an unprecedented year, our Tai Chi family remained strong through our flexibility and adaptability to the current conditions. We learned to connect virtually; we used the time to dive deeper into the philosophy of Tai Chi and utilised it to remain positive and relaxed. We adapted, as many did, to meeting outdoors whenever possible. As a group, we supported each other in so many ways. This little video was shot at the end of 2020 when the world was still a quieter place.

What you have learnt so far…

Qi Gong (Chi Kung)

‘Energy work’ - to build and develop chi, allowing it to flow around the body through the coordination of our breathing, specific movements, and our mind. Finding a calm state of mind allows us the opportunity to relax and maintain focus on our body. 

Controlled but natural breathing, in and out through the nose, and utilising our diaphragm to pull the breath down and fill the lungs with fresh oxygen-rich air. Don’t force or hold your breath; allow this to be natural and time your movements accordingly. Since everyone will have different lung capacities, don’t worry if your breathing, and therefore movements, are faster or slower than others (including mine). 

Contract the muscles on the in-breath and relax them on the out-breath.  

This will help relieve tension in the muscles whilst helping to gently strengthen them, oxygenates the blood stream that feeds your body (including your brain), improves our immune system, brings a calm and relaxed state to your mind which all results in equilibrium of our mental and emotional health which in turn reduces the production of stress hormones that can have negative knock on effects. 


We have covered the following movements:

  1. Supporting heaven (both hands up as you breathe in) - 9 breaths

  2. Balancing Heaven and Earth (right hand pushes up whilst left presses down) - 9 breaths

  3. Balancing Heaven and Earth (left hand pushes up whilst right presses down) - 9 breaths

  4. Pressing the earth (both hands push down) - 9 breaths

  5. Raising the hands up to the sky (tilting the head back slightly) - 6 breaths

  6. Head rotations. Breathe in whilst turning the head left, breathe out, and return the head to the centre. Breathe in whilst turning the head to the right, breathe out, and return the head to the centre. Breathe in and tilt the head back, breathe out, and return the head to the centre. Breathe in and drop the chin to the chest, breathe out, return the head to the centre - repeat again.

  7. Shoulder rotations (forward, back, alternate forwards and back). Count to 10

  8. Arm rotations - forward, back, alternate forwards and back, opposite directions (both). Count to 10

  9. Arm swing with knee bend (5 each side), then add in the body rotation (5 each side)

  10. Wild goose spreads its wings. Step out and open the arms (3 breaths each side)

  11. Repulse Monkey. Turn your waist to the right with your left arm out in front of you with the palm up. Raise the right arm as you breathe in, then breathe out as you press it forward and bring the left arm back. Perform to the left side. Repeat a total of 6 times (3 on each side).

  12. Breathe in and stretch up, then relax the body down. Count to 10

  13. Rotate the knees (count to 10 in both directions)

  14. Push the toes and flex the ankles (count to 10 on each foot)

  15. Embracing the tree. Palms inwards, palms outward, then arms lower to the waist and turn the palms inwards. 6 breaths for each position.

  16. Closing (hands over the ‘Dantien’)