Joe May has been practising Tai Chi for 32 years. Joe started teaching Tai Chi 20 years ago. He has taught in schools, in retirement homes, at workshops, events and festivals. Joe’s teaching was acclaimed by Her Majesty’s Inspectors for Schools in the UK. 

Joe is also a professional physical performer. He can ride a 7ft tall unicycle; balance on a slackline while balancing a globe on his head and juggling at the same time! Balance and movement are important skills in his life.

Why Tai Chi?

• Gentle and easily attainable for virtually anyone.
• It is a low-impact, highly effective exercise.
• Feel results within 15 minutes of starting. Truly.
• No need of special clothing or accessories. Just loose comfortable clothing.
• All you need is your body and a bit of space. You can even do it while standing in a queue.
• Regular practice improves your flexibility, posture, breathing and strength.
• Regular practice increases calmness and reduces stress.
• Regular practice boosts your immune system and general health.
• Regular practice improves balance and, according to some studies, reduces risk of falls.

Proprioception — the ability to sense the position of one’s body in space — declines with age. Tai chi helps train this sense, which is a function of sensory neurons in the inner ear and stretch receptors in the muscles and ligaments. Improved muscle strength and flexibility make it easier to recover from a stumble. Fear of falling can make you more likely to fall; some studies have found that tai chi training helps reduce that fear.