membership

Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong Classes

Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong are therapeutic exercise systems that can benefit any age or level of ability. The fact that we have students from their teens to over eighty proves the versatility of our classes.
Once again these systems work on the holistic health of the body, whether it be on a physical ,emotional or spiritual level. Students will take what they need.
New students are often very nervous about joining a class, they are worried about embarrassing themselves or not being able to keep up. At Shining Tree, we have small classes and give lots of support to our new students , all our students learn and grow at their own pace without feeling pressurised or inadequate.
Because both Kim and James are therapists, all new students will fill in a health questionnaire, so that we are aware of problems and injuries that students might have.
The classes are held in a large spacious purpose built mirrored and air conditioned studio.
All our classes contains both Qigong & Tai Chi Chuan.


What is Qigong?
Qigong means cultivating energy or life force. There are numerous Qigong systems, some are stationary, as in the holding of static poses with gentle breathing (this can be standing, sitting or even lying down) or dynamic, combining breathing with movement and self massage. Some of the Qigong systems that we train with are (click the link for photo/video clip examples);

• Standing Poles

• Eight Section Brocade

• Eighteen Stances

• Five Meridian Qigong

What is Tai Chi Chuan?
For those of you who is aware of Tai Chi Chuan, it is perceived often as a gentle form of exercises performed by elderly china men in parks wearing silk pyjamas.
Although the above can be true, there is more! Tai Chi means "Supreme Ultimate", and Chuan means "fist". It is a martial art, which is reputed to have been created by Chang San-Feng, a Taoist monk who lived in the Wudang mountains (1324-1419).
Our System of Tai chi is Wudang Tai Chi Chuan under Master Dan Docherty. The components of our system consists of (click the link for photo/video clip examples);

• Hand Forms (short & long)

• Tou Shou (pushing hands)

• Weapons (sabre, spear & sword)

• San Shou (self defence 1, 2, 3)

• Eight Section Brocade Qigong

• 24 Yin & Yang Nei-gong

Yoga Classes

Yoga means union; union of mind body spirit. Therefore the nature of practise must have stillness and movements. Most people associate Yoga with floor work; this is Hatha or physical Yoga. In fact the word Yoga can be applied to every aspect of your life. When a student is guided properly by an experienced teacher, Yoga can be a profound and deeply healing experience. Floor work though is not as versatile as standing practise of Qigong or Tai Chi because there is a substantial number of people who do can not work on the ground (although the versatility of Qigong & Tai Chi is that if a person is not well enough to stand up, the techniques can be adapted to sitting or lying practise.)
The challenge for a teacher is students with physical health issues, such as chronic pain problems. Often the gentle and gradual stretching will strengthen and resolve problems by correcting alignment, balancing energy and correcting body biochemistry; this of course must be practised as part of a healthy life style.
Shining Tree Yoga draws from Tibetan, Japanese, Taoist as well as Hatha techniques, so giving our students a much wider base of knowledge. Also, as both Kim and James are experienced health practitioners, they will use Yoga as a medium of healing for those who need it.
Come and join us.

N.B.
Please let us know if you would like to attend a class before coming so we can go through a consultation with you. Most classes are suitable for beginners.

The Teachers

James Wong With a life long interest in the martial arts, James is a qualified Wudang Tai Chi Chuan Instructor and also holds a 1st dan in Shotokan Karate. He has over twenty years experience of teaching. His students age has ranged from seven years old to over eighty, and abilities of his students has ranged from the able bodied to the wheel chair bound.


Kim Garton has practised yoga, qigong and different styles of tai chi chuan for over 25 years. She is involved in community education and has given classes in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. Her students’ ages range from school children to senior citizens. Kim teaches qigong in a fall prevention unit in Newmarket hospital. She is qualified as a yoga, qigong and taoist tai chi Teacher.

Click the picture to see the complete form

*Classes subject to change, please confirm times if new to a class.

Classes are £7 for the 1st class and £55 for a block of ten weekly classes. Feel free to call us if you have any further queries.

Call 01366 386711 to book a class or for more details.

The private indoor heated swimming pool (20ftx40ft) and sauna is for the exclusive use of members, guests, regular patients and regular students

The Pool The pool serves two main function:- exercise and relaxation. The water temperature is set around 30 degree Centigrade (public pools run at 28 degrees), so swimmers always feel warm and relaxed. The pool is 4ft deep all round so that the nervous swimmer will never feel out of their depth. Our members use the pool to exercise in as well as to swim in . For people with musculo-skeletal problems, the water is an ideal medium to exercise in, as it gently supports the joints but offers resistance to tone up the muscles of the body.

Sauna Traditionally, the sauna has been used as a method to cleanse the body. In the modern world the relief of aches, pain and relaxation are some of the main benefits. Studies have shown that circulation, lymphatic and respiratory functions can improve along with detoxification of the body.

Opening times for pool complex

The Terrace
The Terrace is our large decking area outside the pool and sauna complex facing the wildlife gardens.
For the use of members to relax, read, chat or even to have a picnic in.