HOW LONG HAVE YOU PRACTICED TAI
CHI AND WHO ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES?
I started practicing Chen Style Tai Chi in
the year 2000. I was first trained by Ben Milton, founder of the 'Bristol School of Tai Chi Chuan' and then I starting training with
Malcolm Droy of 'Southwest Tai Chi' - both Ben and Malcolm are still my teachers. I have also had the good fortune
to attend workshops given by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang, and Master Chen Yingjun.
WHAT MARTIAL ARTS/FORMS DO YOU PRACTICE
ON A REGULAR BASIS?
Chen Style: - Laojia (Long Form); Straight sword; Broadsword; Spear/Staff;
Kwandao; Double Broadsword; Fan Form; 'Cannon Fists'; Push Hands.
WHAT DO YOU TEACH?
I teach traditional Chen style Tai Chi Chuan as taught by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang and the Bristol
School of Tai Chi Chuan.
Chen style Tai Chi Chuan: - Laojia (the first
15 moves as a beginners short form - which can then be advanced into further choreography should the student choose
to), Silk Reeling exercises, Chi Kung (including the 'Eight Animals Chi Kung'), Straight sword, Push Hands, Applications.
Day of the week: Mondays
Time: 6.30pm to 8.00pm
Level of experience required: Beginners & Improvers
Venue: St. Edmund's Community
Hall, Glastonbury
Topics: Chen
style Laojia and Straight sword
Cost: £5
Equipment required: Baggy clothing and comfortable shoes with a flexible
sole.
ABOUT YOUR CLASSES?
Day
of the week: Tuesdays
Time: 9.15am to 10.15am
Level of experience required: Beginners
Venue: King's of Wessex Leisure
Centre, Cheddar
Topics: Chen style shortform (Laojia)
Cost: for costing contact the Leisure Centre on 01934744939
Equipment required: Baggy clothing
and comfortable shoes with a flexible sole.
YOUR
CONTACT DETAILS?
Telephone:
07919230328
Email:
Website:
yurileitch.co.uk/taichiglastonbury
"Trees are the greatest Tai Chi masters. Their whole existence is quite selfless; giving their branches
to the safety of little creatures and birds. Their whole lifespan is dedicated to constant breathing, silence and meditation.
Deep into the ground they sink their roots, finding the strongest foundation possible to them. Reaching up to the sky absorbing
sunlight they stand and breathe, selflessly, the lungs of the planet, cleaning the air so that human beings can breathe too
- these 'beings' are in a constant state of 'zhan zhuang', wuji, 'standing pole'.
From a little tiny pip an apple tree grows. Sinks its roots deep into the fertile earth and stays alive
by drinking the moisture there caused by the rain. It grows taller and its leaves spread out like little solar panels absorbing
the vitality of the sunlight. Within the apple tree all that is required is the rain and the sun. Fire and Water, Yin and
Yang.
Internally, the apple tree alchemist sets to work. Weaving together a flower bud, which blossoms and then
grows into an apple. The apple is created completely from sun and rain, yin and yang, by the silently breathing alchemist
- and inside the apple are yet more pips!
Most people walk
past trees and give them little thought - they are 'just' trees. Practice Tai Chi under a tree, stand still in the presence
of a master and breathe in.
(Yuri
Leitch 'Alchemy of Sun and Rain')
