Chen Tai Chi Ireland

Chen Tai Chi Ireland has been in existence for over 20 years with adult classes however, we are very excited to have just launched our first kids program this month with a small group of 9yr-12yr olds! We are now enrolling for two age groups (6 yrs-8yrs & 9yrs-12yrs) commencing on the 3rd September in the Galway rowing club. 

 

The classes themselves are being taught by Shifu Niall O Floinn, Ireland's top Tai Chi expert and he will be assisted by 3 assistant instructors.

 

Tai Chi is hugely beneficial to children in so many ways. It is an excellent way to channel emotions and energy. It's a gentle form of physical exercise that consists of movements and postures that are slow and graceful, however as it consists of over 100 movements or postures, studies have shown that it helps children with focus and increases their level of concentration learning the movements and it is also a form of meditation that teaches children to center their attention.

 

Tai Chi can also teach kids how to reduce their anxiety and remain calm in stressful situations. Although we are only a few weeks into this new program, we have had a lovely testimonial from one parent whose son has autism and attends this class. He is the only child with autism in the class but that has not made it more difficult for him at all. In his Mum's opinion, this has been the best thing for him! Have a read of her testimonial here:

 

"l am absolutely delighted to already notice the wonderful and positive impact your tai chi classes are having on Oisins mental health, his dyspraxia and his autism. Oisin has very complex challenges and tai chi is proving a most valuable tool to help him become aware of the mind body connect. He would disconnect from his body frequently to stim which can be dangerous in public spaces so returning to the breath is a great tool to help him reconnect and his dyspraxia causes him great embarrassment leading him to opt out and not co operate, often getting stuck in a frustrated moment, now he accepts that after a few clumsy slips he can stand aside breathe regain himself and again join the group. These are monumental shifts in his mental growth, developing flexible thinking in a mind hard wired for very rigid thinking. Up until Sept he was home schooled for a year because he simply could not perform an activity after failing once. He is a very gifted coder and lego builder so has a very sedentary lifestyle added to a restrictive sensory diet has lead to him been overweight. Recently l purchased him a fit bit to encourage activity and was amazed to see him sprint the prom taking breaks to do shoulder rolls, waves, gentle circles. Just wonderful to witness how quickly tai chi can ingrain in a child's response to stress or activity.  It's only been in the last 18 months that Oisin has allowed other people touch or hug him so you can imagine it's been a difficult journey and one of huge learning of the sensory challenges endured by Autistic children so lm very relieved oisin has accepted tai chi and dare l say genuinely happy and excited to attend."