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17
Mar 2024
‘Tai chi teaches you about yourself’ – the Valley Gardens class honouring martial arts principles
If you find yourself walking through the Valley Gardens in Harrogate on a Sunday morning, you might spot an unusual sight – one that seems out of place in a Yorkshire town.
In the shelter of the pavilion, people perform a set of intentional and graceful movements, like a slow dance.
Every Sunday this group meet to practise tai chi – an ancient martial art known as a form of gentle movement, self-defence and moving meditation.
Guided by Paul Gitsham – the founder of martial arts school Bamboo Forest – the hour-long class is held in the gardens, come rain or shine. Hosting sessions outside is a way to ‘bring the natural world back into our lives’, according to Paul.
He explained:
One of Bamboo Forest's Escrima, Staff & Stick classes
Passing the art to the next generation
Embracing nature is one of the many benefits Paul believes that tai chi can offer. Born in Doncaster, he didn’t take up martial arts until he was in his early twenties, and at first only considered it as a form of self-defence.
However, Paul soon found that studying tai chi offered him innumerable benefits, and he went on to train under the tutelage of one of his heroes, Nigel Sutton of Zhong Ding International.
He has travelled extensively to learn more about the cultural philosophies underpinning the practice, including visiting training centres in Penang, Malaysia.
With two decades of teaching experience across Yorkshire, he then set up his own business in Harrogate three years ago, as a way to continue the legacy of tai chi.
A younger Paul at a training centre in Malaysia
He believes that in the UK it can be often overlooked, due to the popularity of taekwondo, karate and judo.
Paul said:
The name Bamboo Forest hold special significance too – firstly it works as a nod to the concept of Wu Lin (martial forest), which symbolises how all martial arts are distinct but intertwined.
Secondly, Paul believes that bamboo represents ‘strength, flexibility, and adaptability’ – all key principles in martial arts, particularly tai chi.
A familial structure
Paul's classes attract a broad demographic – one of his youngest regulars is 30 years old, and the oldest is 79 – a true veteran of the art, having trained for many years.
He explains that a traditional Chinese class structure is one of family, rather than strictly student-teacher, to encourage a sense of community.
Paul runs two classes on a Sunday in the Valley Gardens: Applied Tai Chi, and Escrima, Staff & Stick which explores movements with traditional Asian wooden weapons.
The classes take place in Harrogate's Valley Gardens
Reported benefits of tai chi have been increased flexibility, strength and posture, as well as improving cardiovascular fitness.
Paul himself highlights a ‘greater understanding of his body alignment’, which is helpful to people of all ages, but particularly older people, who may be more prone to trips and falls.
He added:
Bamboo Forest's Applied Tai Chi classes take place every Sunday in the Valley Gardens, from 9.30am - 10.45am, followed by Escrima, Staff & Stick from 10.45am - 12pm.
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