Category Archives: University Class

University Class

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Tuesdays 5.00-7.00pm – £5 class held at the Iffley Road sports centre, in the Acer Nethercott Hall (ask someone working in Reception if unsure!)

External link:  Oxford University Tai Chi Club webpage

This is a mixed activity class which includes both health training (hand form and partner exercises), and martial training – pushing hands (grappling), self-defence techniques and pad work. The university class has been running a long time, since some point in the 1990s, if anyone remembers when exactly please let us know!

Padwork – University Class

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As well as training strong and efficient punching technique, practising Running Thunder Hand (continuous punching) in pairs using gloves and focus mitts trains holding a protective guard (shoulder muscles) and, since punching should involve the whole body – legs, core and arms – this acts as a general stamina conditioning exercise as well.

The video clip below shows two members of the student class working on some striking combinations (punches, knees and elbows) using pads.

Hand Form – University Class

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Video clips and image gallery of students practising Hand Form in the University Class. As well as encoding many practical self-defence applications, and teaching martial concepts such as single-weighting, whole-body movement and balanced turning/stepping, the hand form offers many health benefits by encouraging good posture, minimal muscle tension and relaxed breathing – a great way to de-stress before Finals!

 

Fixed Step Pushing Hands – University Class

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Video clip and image gallery of students practising Fixed Step Pushing Hands during the University Class. This exercise trains useful grappling skills, such as a rooted stance, flexible upper body and fast, responsive arms. Martially, this translates into more skill in Moving Step Pushing Hands (wrestling) – each “step” can be thought of as a Fixed Step bout, where one opponent is off-balanced by the other setting up throws etc. As skill develops, the practitioner also learns to move with less tension, and this relaxation translates into the hand form movements to allow greater relaxation and health benefits.