Tai Chi has become famous as a gentle form of exercise suitable for all ages. While research has proven Tai Chi helps with balance, falls prevention and a range of health conditions, the art also offers an effective form of self defence. This has been proven by my teacher, Dan Docherty, his teacher, Cheng Tin Hung, and many of their students in full contact competitions. In classes you will learn the form (the gentle, slow, graceful movements most associated with Tai Chi), qigong exercises, partnered drill exercises called 'pushing hands', martial applications and discussion of Tai Chi theory. For those interested in martial applications, conditioning exercises may be included. Forms taught are empty handed short form, long form and weapons forms. Weapons forms are more dynamic and include sabre, spear and straight sword. Applications are taught for both empty handed and weapons techniques. My belief is that all students should have the opportunity to learn a complete system. However, the emphasis given to the different elements of the art should also reflect each individual student's abilities and interests. For this reason, I teach all my students martial applications and pushing hands drills from their first class. This has many benefits even for those not interested in self defence. Knowledge of the martial applications underpins a good understanding of the form and allows a full appreciation of the theories underpinning the art.