Classes and one-to-one teaching for autumn 2026
Taiji and qigong for beginners and improvers
The emphasis in the groups is on repeated learning and lots of practice, so if you don't come to every session you won't miss stuff. All the weekly groups are well-established and welcoming.
Morecambe: Tuesday, 10-11.30am, at the United Reformed Church, Sefton Road LA3 1UG. There is a practice group in Happy Mount Park on a Friday as well. Classes cost £5 and are free for asylum seekers and refugees. Parking is on the streets outside the venue. The class is organised so people can drop in as they are able. Contact me directly about the class.
Garstang: Wednesday, 10.30am-12 noon, at the Leisure Centre on Windsor Road, near Booths supermarket. I believe the class is free to members and there is a cost for non-members. There is some parking near the venue. Please pre-book as the class is sometimes close to its limit for numbers. Here is a link to the Centre's website where members can book on the class; non-members can book by calling 01995 605410.
Lancaster: Thursday, 12.30-2pm, at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre on Doris Henderson Way, near the Asda supermarket. I believe the class is free to members and there is a cost for non-members. The venue has car parking and a cafe. Please pre-book as the class is usually close to its limit for numbers. Contact the Centre on 01524 847540 or saltayre@lancaster.gov.uk to find out about booking and memberships.
I am also available for one-to-one training. Get in touch.
The taiji I teach is the style developed by Cheng Man-Ch'ing (Zhèng Mànqīng, 鄭曼青) after his study of Yang-style (楊氏) taiji. It dates from the mid-20th century so it's quite recent as these things go and it is well known. The 'form' we learn takes four to five minutes to do, which counts as short, and the movements are simpler than some styles, which lets us concentrate on the basic principles. We do taiji mostly as movement for health. I teach a little partner work in group classes but more, including push hands, in one-to-one training. Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to some videos of the form.
Qigong is designed as movement for health and a way of bringing calmness and concentration. We also use it as a self-care system and the basis for a grammar of movement which helps with the taiji. We do the first Shibashi set (aka Taiji Qigong or the 18-part set) and a version of the Baduanjin (Eight Brocades) set, both of which are very well-known and popular. I also teach the Wild Goose first long set, as well as the 'Daoist Slapping Set' taught by Raymond Towers from the teaching of Dr Guo Bisong.
Videos and links
Cheng Man-Ch'ing (Zhèng Mànqīng, 鄭曼青) performing his form
Aged around 60, whole form from another angle, plus some bits
... and this is my go. You will see differences between how Cheng did the form and how I do it - my desire has been to preserve the style the way I was taught it, although I hope to learn the orthodox manner some day.
My other videos are on YouTube at this link.
Contact
If you are interested, please contact me at andichapple (at) gmail (dot) com, on 07891 908025 or via Facebook - look for Elephant Mountain Taichi.