1.a.-information-for-next-beginners-class Section

Information on the Next Beginners Classes

at Limerick Taijiquan Club

My Next Beginners Classes will start on

Tuesday 9th January 2024 at 6.30pm

My Beginners Taijiquan (Tai Chi) classes last 1.5 hours. They include learning how to identify where the body is stiff and how to loosen the body. These classes train how to move without stiffness and develop internal (loose) strength (neijin). The classes include standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang), warm up and energy circulation (Qigong or Chi Kung) and reeling silk exercises (Chan Si Gong). Approximately half of each class is composed of teaching of  taijiquan postures and principles, with corrections of previous postures, sensitivity exercises and plenty of opportunity for questions and answers. Improver classes last 2 hours.

Beginners’ classes are non-strenuous, relaxed and largely informal. Comfortable, non-restricting clothes with flat-soled shoes (or a thick pair of socks) are best worn to the class. The beginners’ form to be taught will be the Cheng Man Ching’s shortened Yang Style Taiji Form. The focus of the beginners’ classes is to help students learn how to loosen and relax their bodies and to understand the loose, internal strength or neijin that is the foundation of Taijiquan. Traditional Chen Style is taught after the conclusion of beginner’s classes.

Classes are organized in 10 week terms. Each 10 week term costs €150. This should be paid prior to the class commencing without exception. Concessions are available on an individual basis for those on low income (€90), for a couple (€220) and for those under 18 (€70). Please ask about concessions before the class begins by calling me (Nick) at the number below. I will do my best to accomodate everyone who is interested in learning whatever their financial circumstances.

I will be starting one new set of beginners' tai chi classes this January. It will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm until 8.00pm starting on Tuesday 9th January 2024. They will continue every week at the same time and day. The classes will be enrolled on a first come – first served basis. A non-refundable deposit of €50 will secure your place in a class. This can be paid digitally by Paypal, Revolute or bank transfer online or returned by post with a completed registration form (enclosed). Classes are usually filled before the night of the first class.

All classes are held at the Mechanic’s Institute in Hartstonge St, close to People’s Park. Hartstonge St is one street west of Mallow St. The Mechanic’s Institute is opposite the end of Catherine St, beside the St. Vincent De Paul’s building. It is a long low building with a set of double doors and a false arch with “Mechanic’s Institute” over it.

About Nick Gudge: For those interested, I have been studying taijiquan for over 38 years (since January 1986) and I've been teaching taijiquan for over 35 years ( I taught my first class in 1989 at the British Tai Chi Chaun Association.) I received my first teacher’s Certification in 1989 from the BTCCA. I am a student of Wang Hai Jun who has taught me almost everything I know about taijiquan. I spent around 25 days each year in study with him for 15 years. I trained for six years with Chen Xiao Wang (in laojia), three years with Zhang Xue Xin (in xinjia) and have also trained with Chen Zheng Lei, Zhu Tian Cai, Li Tai Liang, Dong Zhen Chen, and Wu Kwong Yu, Mike Sigman and Aarvo Tucker. Many of the teachers currently teaching in the west of Ireland have studied taijiquan with me.

Contact Details

If you have a question or need more information please feel to call me on 061-923023 or email: nickgudge@gmail.com


Need Directions?

Directions and a map to the Mechanic's Institute can be found by clicking here.