A tai chi instructor in Mansfield is throwing a spotlight on the martial art — highlighting its health, exercise, and relaxation benefits as well the self-defence aspect.

Dave Ashbey has been practising the ancient Chinese tradition, which combines slow movements and breath for mental and physical wellness, since the mid-90s and wants to sweep away any misconceptions.

“I started because I was curious about the strange movements I saw people doing in films, and had heard it was something to do with martial arts,” he said.

“I stayed because it’s so varied — you can work hard, take it easy and relax, play with a partner on your own, wave swords around, and drink tea!

“A lot of people might think it’s just waving your arms about vaguely, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Does it turn you into Bruce Lee? Sort of, but not really!”

Dave wants learning the martial art to be fun for people, adding: “Some classes I’ve been to have been very formal and serious. That really isn’t my style and I love it when people ask, ‘why’?

There are a lot of legends about the origins of tai chi, involving cranes, snakes, and immortal monks. Dave said the most likely story is that it was invented in the 16th Century by a family who wanted to create a martial art based on the traditional Chinese ideas of chi energy flowing around the body.

“Because the movements are often practised slowly to develop balance, co-ordination, and awareness of what you’re doing, most people see tai chi as just gentle exercise and relaxation — almost a moving meditation,” he added. “But for those practising the martial art side, it’s still a very effective form of self defence too.”

Some classes are aimed at people with mobility issues or at risk of falling, so focus on health, gentle exercise, and relaxation. Others are more physically demanding and aimed at learning the self defence side.

Dave, who runs weekly Dragon River Tai Chi classes at St Peter’s Centre, Mansfield, as well as in Nottingham and Alfreton, said: “Personally, I’m greedy — I want to do everything, but I know not everyone else does.

“So daytime classes I teach are aimed at providing easy exercise that pretty much anyone can do. It improves balance and co-ordination, and it’s pretty relaxing. The general rule is, if you can walk through the door, you can do tai chi. You can stop to rest as many times as you like, and nothing is compulsory.

“Evening classes are a bit more dynamic — more stretching, more complex, and physically demanding movements; more self-defence techniques and practice.

To find out more about the classes, search online for Dragon River Tai Chi or text or call Dave on 07981 488890 or email [email protected]