Maidstone Tai Chi

Tai Chi & Qigong in Maidstone

Move better. Feel steadier. Find a little more calm.

Friendly, accessible classes in and around Maidstone, suitable for beginners as well as those with previous experience.

Whether you are looking to improve the way you move, develop your balance, find some time to slow down, or simply try something new, you are very welcome to come along.

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A Tai Chi class in a village hall, a group of adults moving together through a slow standing form
Tuesday morning class, Bearsted
MondayStockbury10.00 – 11.00am
TuesdayBearsted11.00am – 12.00pm
FridayBoughton Monchelsea6.30 – 7.30pm
New classMondayWateringbury6.00 – 7.00pm

What Tai Chi and Qigong can offer you

A gentle but surprisingly effective way to keep both body and mind active.

Balance and coordination

Through slow, controlled movement we work on balance, coordination, mobility and body awareness. Learning to shift weight, turn, step and move with greater control can also help us become more aware of the way we move in everyday life.

Breathing

We explore simple breathing techniques and learn to become more aware of how we breathe, combining slower, more relaxed breathing with gentle movement. This can help us slow things down, release unnecessary tension and bring greater focus to both body and mind.

A pause in the day

Tai Chi and Qigong are an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life. Moving slowly, paying attention to the body and becoming aware of the breath can turn even simple movements into a form of moving meditation.

Something to grow into

You do not need to be flexible, fit or coordinated to begin. You start with the body you have today and build from there.

How I teach

I believe Tai Chi should be something that people can actually use and enjoy in the real world.

My teaching is rooted in traditional Yang style Tai Chi, but I place a strong emphasis on functional movement — understanding how our bodies naturally move, and using Tai Chi to develop balance, coordination, mobility and control.

We are all built differently and bring different levels of mobility, strength and experience to a class. Rather than trying to force everybody into exactly the same position, I encourage people to work with their own bodies, while gradually exploring ways to move more comfortably and effectively.

I also like people to understand why we are doing something. We might look at how the feet support balance, how the knees and hips work together, how we transfer our weight, or occasionally explore the martial application behind a Tai Chi movement. The aim isn’t to make the practice complicated, but to make the movement meaningful.

There is great depth to Tai Chi, but I don’t believe you need to understand complicated terminology or theory before you can benefit from it. Relaxation, repetition and regular practice come first. Greater understanding can develop naturally along the way.

Above all, I want my classes to be welcoming places where people feel comfortable learning, asking questions, making mistakes and enjoying their Tai Chi.

More about how I teach Tai Chi

Charcoal drawing of two students moving through a Tai Chi posture
Students in the Tuesday class, drawn in charcoal by Andrew’s daughter

Classes near Maidstone

Classes are friendly and welcoming, and beginners are always welcome. There is no need to book a course or commit to a block — you can simply pay as you go.

What should I wear?

There is no special clothing required. Just wear something comfortable that allows you to move freely. I prefer to practise in socks, but there is absolutely no expectation for you to do the same — comfortable trainers or other suitable footwear are perfectly fine.

Never tried it before?

Don’t worry if you have never tried either before. You don’t need to be particularly fit, flexible or coordinated to start. Come along, join in with what feels comfortable and gradually build from there.

Private tuition

One-to-one sessions are available if you would prefer some individual help, or would like to explore particular aspects of your Tai Chi or Qigong. These can take place on my outdoor Tai Chi deck or in your own home where there is enough space.

Ask about current prices

Full class details and gallery

Alongside the classes

Two people practising Qigong outdoors in a field at dusk

Dao Song Qigong

A path to relaxation through movement, breath and awareness.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice combining gentle movement, breathing and focused attention. Dao Song can be translated as a path to relaxation, which captures much of what I want to explore through my teaching.

I enjoy exploring the traditional ideas behind these exercises while also looking at what modern anatomy, physiology and neuroscience can tell us about the same practices. Understanding both can make the practice more interesting without losing sight of the most important part — actually experiencing the movement.

Explore Dao Song Qigong

A bare foot resting on a small balance ball during a foot training session

Toe Chi

Healthy movement starts at your feet.

Our feet are our foundation. They support us when we stand, help us balance and provide our connection with the ground every time we walk and move. Yet for something we rely on every day, we often give our feet surprisingly little attention.

Toe Chi is individual foot training. We begin with a practical assessment of how your feet move and function, then develop exercises appropriate to you — foot and toe strength, mobility and control, balance and stability, and how you stand, walk and transfer weight.

This is personal training for the feet and lower limbs, not medical diagnosis or treatment. Where something appears to need further investigation, I will recommend seeing an appropriate healthcare professional.

Enquire about personal foot training

Andrew teaching, demonstrating a slow Tai Chi movement to his class
Andrew, mid-form at the Stockbury class

About Andrew

I’m Andrew, a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor with a background in teaching and a particular interest in how the human body moves.

After more than 25 years as a teacher, I now bring that experience into my classes — keeping things clear, practical and accessible, while encouraging people to understand their own movement rather than simply copy mine.

My interest in the role of the feet has also led to the development of Toe Chi, my more focused approach to foot movement and strength.

Most of all, I enjoy helping people discover that Tai Chi and Qigong are practices they can make their own.

Get in touch

Thinking about trying Tai Chi or Qigong, or have a question about one of my classes? You’re very welcome to get in touch.

There’s no need to book — but if you’d like a chat before coming along, or want to check the current price, just send me a message.