Twin Arts
Tai Chi Heading
T'ai-Chi Ch'uan, classes in St Leonards on Sea
Teacher : Chris Hamblin 
Contact: taichi@twinarts.co.uk

The Yang Form is an ancient therapeutic art from China (from the Yang Family in Beijing), taught
alongside other fine arts as part of the education system.

Preserved and made public in several versions by the Chinese Government, today it is common to see large
groups of men and women practising the forms in parks and open spaces, daily at sunrise and dusk.
Practised correctly, the health benefits of T’ai Chi are many: it strengthens the body by using good
alignment, improves co-ordination and increases spatial awareness. 
In the practitioner it can promote a feeling of glowing well-being, relaxation and calmness.
It promotes inner harmony and integration.

The T’ai-Chi form is taught with continuous integrated breathing, the breath is never held.
It does not overexert or stretch the body. Since most of the movements are performed on
slightly bent legs, study is not advised for people with arthritis of the knee joints.

The long Yang Form contains movement sequences that derive from observations of Man, Nature and Animals.
There are many symbolic and poetic references in the sequence titles such as: Stork Cools It’s Wings,
Carry Tiger to the Mountain, Wave Hands Like Clouds and Riding the Tiger.

The Long Form emerged in China in the 14th Century AD and is an expression of ancient Chinese culture and
philosophy. It has been influenced by Taoism, Chan (Zen), Buddhism, and Confucianism.
The form is presented as an inspiration to personal insight and is not linked to any one philosophy or set of beliefs. 
Occasional classes may look at and discuss extracts of writings such as the I Ching (the Book of Changes containing
the 64 Hexagrams) said to have originated some 3000 BCE and Lao Tzu’s: Tao Te Ching (The Way of Life) written
around 500 BCE. These texts first reached Europe around 1850 in translations by religious researchers (Jesuit)
exploring the ancient cosmology of China. Since then, many western artists and psychologists (particularly C G Jung)
have felt an inner resonance with ideas expressed in them.
Anybody is welcome to join an Introductory Beginner's Class at any age. All students begin at the beginning.
 
The complete cycle of forms can take up to two years to learn.

Quality of learning is considered more important than quantity. 
Classes take place at several venues in and around St Leonards on Sea.

TCC triple

Chris Hamblin
Studied the Long Yang Form in classes with Beverley Milne starting in 1980, becoming a teaching assistant
at The School of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan, London.
In 1989 he founded the School of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan, Harare Zimbabwe and taught there until returning to live
in St Leonards on Sea in 2002.
Here in East Sussex he is well known as a violin and guitar teacher and a performer of Celtic fiddle music.
The practice of the Long Yang Form has been a regular part of his life while teaching and performing music.

Chris resumed teaching T'ai-Chi Ch'uan in St Leonards on Sea in 2021.


See more information about the Lineage of this Long Yang T'ai-Chi Ch'uan Form here:
See here for images celebrating World T'ai-Chi and QiGong Day April 2002 by The School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Harare