Membership is £60 per month from the 12th August 2024…
Welcome to Red Lotus Tai Chi School, where we strive to create a welcoming environment for individuals of all skill levels to explore the art of Tai Chi. Our school is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of this ancient practice, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, balance, and harmony in both movement and life.
At Red Lotus, we offer a variety of classes designed to accommodate beginners through advanced practitioners. Our experienced instructors lead each session with a focus on proper technique, personal growth, and the holistic benefits of Tai Chi. Through regular practice, students can enhance their physical health, improve mental clarity, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.
Join us to embark on a transformative journey that promotes overall well-being and community connection. At Red Lotus Tai Chi School, you will not only learn the movements of Tai Chi but also discover a path toward a more centred and balanced life.
Hi, I’m Darren, a dedicated Tai Chi instructor hailing from the charming town of Guildford. Welcome to our wonderful family of practitioners. I have been training in the art of Tai Chi and Qigong since 1995, primarily based in the beautiful county of Surrey. Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many esteemed masters, including those with connections to the illustrious Chen family. My studies encompassed an enlightening tenure of over nine years with Grand Master Wang Hai Jun and an additional five years of intensive training with Master Ou Hai Bing in China. Currently, I am fortunate to practice under the guidance of Sifu Howard Wang and Master Liang de Hua, where I focus primarily on the Yang style of Tai Chi, along with the principles of Neigong.
If you want to learn the skills of tai chi, neigong and qigong in my ongoing classes then please contact me…
My Tai chi is varied and spans a total of over 26 years, during which time I learned Yang, Chen, Sun, and Hun yuan from a few different teachers, including the traditional family linage holders as well as some specialized teachers solely based in China that share their secrets with inner door disciples only. Tai Chi has so many variations and everyone teaches it differently. Tai chi and qigong has so many different layers that it takes time to learn the initial frame or choreography but will greatly benefit the health of the human body. Learn all about body alignment, internal body awareness that we all should be conscious with its a skill that is seldom taught in the West but in the East is taught from a young age.
Here is the brief science part or ancient wisdom, I talk in terms of energy which is in constantly changing our primary sources are usually food and air, energy is the absolute basis for all forms of life and matter in the universe. Our body runs on vibrational essence or electromagnetism. electromagnetism is a force which most of us are not yet familiar it was Western science that verified its existence, giving a logical explanation for health enhancing benefits seen through internal exercises such as tai chi, Yiquan and qigong practice. Electromagnetism is a intrinsic force permeating the atomic structures of all objects, including the atmosphere.
it is a Natural force and as such is married closely with the energy in the body, this needs replenishing to create harmony within your body. In ancient times the body was described as a battery and was composed of three parts. Structure: cells, organs, bones, muscles, skin layers, blood vessels, nerves and the many physical structures they form, Liquid: the intra and inter cellular liquids that play essential roles in the generation of electrical energy and lastly Electrical charge: This is the charge responsible for firing or activating the body and animating its structures. It is called “Life Force”, Life Energy, Spirit or Electromagnetism the ancient Chinese refer to this force as “Chi” or Qi. This is the least understood area of study; you cannot measure energy/Chi by any equipment. It can only be experienced through our feeling senses.
I happily share my knowledge freely with my students so they to can learn tai chi, its intricacies and principles in experience based practice with me and each other.
Playing tai chi on the beach in Cornwall 2022
Neigong training, particularly within the Yang discipline, emphasizes the importance of training your mind-body connection, which is essential for developing your Yi and Qi. In simpler terms, this can be understood as mind-strengthening training that enhances overall focus and awareness. A key component of this practice includes the Five Joint Loosening Exercises, a profoundly transformative series of Qigong movements that offers a modern training perspective. I approach this subject primarily from a beginner's viewpoint, ensuring that the foundational concepts are accessible to everyone. My Saturday class, on the other hand, delves into more advanced concepts to further enrich our practice. Additionally, I teach the basics of Prana dynamics, which serve to validate and enhance your skills in fascia release and joint opening—skills crucial for improving and refining your Tai Chi form.
It's easy to become lost in this beautiful art form, endlessly searching for the finest teacher, and I strongly advise you to diligently locate someone with whom you feel a genuine connection! Tai chi should be regarded as the beginning of your enriching journey, as it benefits the body, mind, and energy connection in countless ways. The key difference between tai chi and qi gong lies in their approach, as both disciplines focus on the fascia connective tissue to enhance your body’s overall suppleness and flexibility. The body’s elasticity is undoubtedly one of the most important training techniques in tai chi, and it has become my primary emphasis throughout my practice.
My tai chi school's other key aim is to teach you everything there is to know about the art and practice of tai chi; it is my passion to be able to impart knowledge and techniques for tai chi from a place of deep understanding and experience. Additionally, practicing tai chi makes your body run more efficiently right from the start, allowing you to execute the movements in such a way that it transforms into a cohesive whole form. This means that the fascia and connective tissue are engaged thoughtfully and completely in each and every movement of your tai chi practice, leading to a more harmonious experience. To sign up for my term with unlimited weekday class access
Retreat in boars wood monastery. I am standing in the buddha warrior pounds mortar posture from Chen style tai chi form
Did you know that UNESCO has designated Tai Chi as a masterpiece of human genius, showcasing an important and profound exchange of human values? This recognition provides a unique and exceptional testimony to a rich cultural tradition that has been practiced for centuries. Top athletes from all over the globe benefit immensely by incorporating Tai Chi into their training regimens, helping them to achieve and maintain peak performance levels. For instance, just look at the current Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic, who is known for his dedication to this ancient practice. Additionally, Lou Reed practiced Chen style Tai Chi in Australia for many years, illustrating its versatility and appeal. This practice can serve as a complementary discipline if you are interested in holistic approaches such as Reiki, Healing, or Chinese medicine. Personally, I found that engaging in Tai Chi significantly aided my recovery process after lung operations I underwent in 2004 and 2005, highlighting its potential benefits for health and well-being.
Tai chi can provide significant benefits when it comes to managing stress, worry, and depression, while simultaneously increasing cardiovascular capacity, energy levels, and overall stamina. This gentle form of exercise boosts the immune system, effectively relieves joint pain, and reduces the likelihood of falls, strokes, and heart attacks. Moreover, it increases mobility, making it an excellent choice as an exercise strategy for individuals dealing with arthritis and cancer, while also enhancing the functionality of your internal organs. Additionally, both tai chi and Qi Gong incorporate deep breathing techniques that help to oxygenate the body and its cells, which plays a crucial role in supporting the healing and regeneration process throughout the body. Here is an article that you should read if you want to know some more.
Why join my Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes? I am a unique instructor who understands beginners and will help you build a solid foundation in these ancient practices. I have learned from the best and continue to practice daily. I teach about internal energy, theory, philosophy, meditation, standing exercises, and more, including the Yang and Chen styles of Tai Chi, dynamic and static forms, Qi Gong sets, Neigong, silk reeling (Chan Si Gong), and additional topics.
If you need to contact me here are my details or you can click the link or call 07596 416841.
