GREY HERON INTERNAL ARTS
Grey Heron Internal Arts is a small group of teachers that has its origins in Cambridge, but, like the bird for which it is named, is proving to be mobile and adaptable! Classes are now available in Bedford, Huntingdon, St Ives and in villages around Cambridge. Principle instructor is Mike Tabrett; all other teachers work regularly with Mike and with other teachers.
General Syllabus
Although we teach basically the same `syllabus' for beginners, each teacher takes an individual approach according to their own interests and directions. We aim to provide the highest possible quality tuition to give people a broad view of the art and enable them to choose how they wish to progress. Here is a general outline of our teaching sylabus
Chi Kung
We teach a range of dynamic and standing Chi Kung drawn from sets such as 8 Strands of the Brocade and the 18 Move T'ai Chi Chi Kung (Shi Ba Shi). Posture, breathing and relaxation are emphasised for beginners and the classes are suitable for all levels of practise.
Integrated Chi Kung - these classes folow the same syllabus as the Chi kung except that the exercises have been modified to allow them to pe practised in a chair. The classes always include a mixture of chair based and standing movements. These classes are suitable for all students whether their physical abilities enable them to stand for long periods of time or not.
T'ai Chi
Initial tuition inolves mostly working on the basic form and Chi Kung exercises. Movements are taught progressively with suggestions and advice for practice. Push hands (sensitivity partnerwork) and applications are often included but not necesarily form the start as it is for the teacher to decide wehen these become appropriate for a group. if you are interested in these please talk to your teacher. The following forms are available:
10 Step - this is a short sequence generally taught on short courses to give people a flavour of a T'ai Chi form. It has been developed to allow it to be practised in limited space and can be adapted in to a chair based routine. Movements are all drawn form the 24 Step form.
24 Step - sometimes known as the Beijing Short Form, this sequence was one of the first of the shortened forms developed to enable more people to benefit from the art. It is a sequence lasting 6-8 minutes and is a comprehensive form in its' own right. as with all T'ai Chi it has both health and martial aspects that interweave with each other to provide a sequence that makes a good introduction to T'ai Chi and a solid foundation for progression.
Chen style Old Frame - (Lao Jia). This form is reckoned by many to be the oldest of the T'ain Chi forms. It is longer than the 24 Step (74 moves) with larger stances and some faster more explosive movements. These clases include the 'Silk Reeling' exercises and push hands and applications as a part of the teaching
For us teaching is very much a part of our own development in T'ai Chi and Chi Kung and we continue to train on our own, together and in other arts.
We are all approved teachers of the T'ai Chi Union of Great Britain, a multi-style umbrella group. In addition we all follow guidelines issued by the T'ai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for Health to ensure that we offer appropriate and safe instruction to people with particular health needs.
Alison, Fara and Mike all hold the 'Certificate in Teaching T'ai Chi and Chi Kung for Health' from the T'ai Chi and Chi Kung Forum for Health.
For more information on individual teachers click the links below.
