About the course

Our beginners Foundation courses are designed for people with little or no knowledge or experience of Tai Chi Chuan. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the practice and principles of Tai Chi Chuan as embodied in the Wu family style of Tai Chi Chuan. The course is centered around the learning of movements sets or forms. The complete set of movements is known as The Form. During the course students will be taught as ashort version of The Form known as the 12 step fprm.

The courses run for eight consecutive weeks on Thursday nights and a revision class on Monday nights. Classes are from 6:30 pm to 8:00pm. Students may attend both classes during the eight weeks. The cost of the course is £85, there are no concessions since it is already at a 25% discount

How much is the course and what do I get?

The course costs £85 which gives 8 weeks temporary membership at a 20% discount and allows access to both Monday and Thursday night beginners classes in those eight weeks.

How do I enrol and pay? -

book and pay on line

The booking uses the Paypal payment system, which handles debit and credit card payments on-line securely, you do not need a Paypal account. An online Payment via PayPal will generate a receipt which will be e mailed to you. Please remember to bring this receipt with you to the first class.

Alternatively .....

pay in class on the first night of the course by credit or debit card, cash or even cheque.

Please .....

download a registration form as a printable PDF file, fill it in and bring it with you on the first night of the course.

What Will I learn?

Tai Chi Chuan is composed of movement sets or forms, the whole set of movements is called "The Form". The course is based around The 12 step Form, a shortened version of the long form and allows participants to learn, experience and practice the movements of Tai Chi Chuan and relate them to the underlying theory. It is ideal for people with little or no experience of Tai Chi Chuan who would like to find out more about Tai Chi Chuan before making a commitment to becoming a full member and learning the art in greater depth.

At the end of the course you should be able to perform the sequence of 12 forms comprising the 12 step Form unprompted and unaided and understand more about the principles and practice of Tai Chi Chuan

We hope at the end of the course you will choose to stay on after the course and join the ongoing beginners' class to learn the Wu's style long form which, once learned, completes the beginner's syllabus.

The course comprises:

• Warm up exercises
• A set of simple top to toe exercises to warm up the joints and muscles and stimulate the circulation.
• The 12 step foundation Form
• Tai Chi Chuan is made up of movement sets or forms, the complete set of movements is known as "The Form".
• The course aims to teach the 12 forms set of the The 12 Step Form
• You can see the 12 step form performed by members of the Hong Kong Academy here
• Tai Chi Walking
• A routine exercise that teaches the student to carry their weight properly
• It also acts as a stretching and strengthening exercise
• Applications of selected forms
• Instructors may demonstrate the martial application of some of the forms
• This shows the deeper meaning of the forms
• Please be aware this is NOT a self defence course
• 5 Element Meditation
• A simple physical meditation which you may find useful in everyday life for stress relief and relaxation
• Theory and Philosophy
• An introduction to the the basic ideas and philosophy behind the Tai Chi Movements
• An understanding of the philosophy helps explain the rationale of the movements, and why they are structured the way they are.

What should I Wear ?

We recommend loose easy fitting clothes that do not restrict movement e.g a Tee  or sweat shirt, track suit bottoms and kung fu slippers, trainers or stocking feet are preferred to bare feet. You should come to class in your training clothes and change to indoor footwear if necessary. Academy polo shirts for training are available to purchase at £10.

Where is it ?

We are located at Upper Hargrave Hall, Hargrave Road, London N19 5SP The hall is a short walk down Holloway road from Archway Underground station (5 minutes walk) and a 2 - 5 minutes walk up Holloway Road from the North London overground line (Gospel Oak to Barking branch).click here for a location map

What happens at the end of the course?

The aim of the course is to introduce people to Tai Chi so they can see whether or not they like it, and would like to continue learning and practicing. The course covers the first 12 movements of the foundation 12 step form, there is a lot more to learn, but what you learn on the course will provide a sound basis for further study.

At the end of the course you will be asked if you wish to stay at the academy and continue learning. If you decide to stay you will be asked to pay a monthly subscription (£60 by standing order or Paypal debit) for which you may attend the beginner's classes available.

Refunds Policy

The payment for the course is non-refundable.

However if your circumstances change or you are unable to complete the course, any unused classes can be held in credit for up to a year.

So, for instance if you book and pay for the course and then have to drop out after 2 weeks for whatever reason, you can take up the remaining six lessons at any time in the year from the start of the course. Alternatively pay the pro rata sum for the previously taken lessons and rejoin for a full eight week course from lesson 1.

Our next eight week course will start on Thursday 11th January 2024 @ 6:30 pm. to book a course click here