Lishi Tai Chi is fluid yet precise. You learn to feel your body’s natural energies with the Tai Chi Chuan form and Tai Chi dance. The practice is relaxing and energising at the same time. It leads to inner peace and stability.
In many different partner exercises we discover, in a fun way, how we react to stress and what takes us out of balance and of course, how can we stay in balance and act with more peace and more power.
Lishi Daoist Yoga contains dozens of distinct stances and postures and movement sequences that promote relaxation, mindfulness and flexibility. It doesn’t matter whether you are unfit or an Olympic athlete, the abilities of each individual are catered for and extended gradually in a natural way. You will achieve a greater flexibility and suppleness and experience the opening of your energy channels releasing a natural flow of vital energy throughout your body.
Qi Gong Meditation
The essence of life is breath. In Lishi we learn how to use the breath to help us concentrate and develop a quiet mind. The practise of Lishi Qi Gong helps you develop “staying power”.
We place a special focus on specific respiratory Lishi Qi Gong and Dao Yin. These therapeutic respiratory exercises increase the lung volume and oxygen intake, promote healthy organ function and a stronger cardiovascular system, and they increase your vitality and well-being significantly.
Kung Fu – Feng Shou is Taoist Hand of the Wind Kung Fu. It is the more dynamic component of the Lishi training system. It is used for training coordination, cardio-vascular stamina, presence of mind, precise smooth motion and self-defence. Lishi Kung Fu is never harsh or aggressive. It is soft as the wind, difficult to grasp, and very effective.
In addition to various forms with and without weapons, we work with partners to help improve our understanding of the human body and the flow of energy. The etiquette of how we practise is key and is what stands us apart from other ‘martial arts’. We learn to practise through cooperation and not competition. We do not fight. We do not compete. We do not get injured.
Qi Shu (pronounced “Chee Shoo”) is the Chinese art of gripping, throwing and rolling and is similar to Aikido. When you have strengthened your body and calmed your mind through practising the other arts of Lishi you may be introduced to the art of Qi Shu. You will learn to roll safely in a supportive environment and progress to this most dynamic of our arts which requires high degrees of skill, co-ordination and consciousness.
Weapons Training – We learn to understand the energies of the different elements through the practise of ancient forms with tools such as the Tai Chi Sword, Feng Shou Sabre, the Yin and Yang Staff and the Hand of the Wind Silk. When your skill, precision and concentration is developed to a high enough level you might be introduced to the full range of partner exercises using weapons. This high level training can take years to access and decades to master.
Massage, Diet and Health Arts – At the heart of what we teach is the process of self healing through a range of health arts that include Chang Ming guidelines for a healthy diet and lifestyle, Dao Yin deep breathing exercises and An Mo Tui Na Massage. These foundations are taught as you progress through your training in the other arts of Lishi.