Classes

Helen runs weekly T’ai Chi classes for beginners and intermediate students in Witney on Monday & Thursday evenings in term time.

NEW Thursday class, Burwell Hall, Witney

For complete beginners looking to start classes in the Autumn Term, bookings are now open
New class starts Thursday 11 September.
Burwell Hall, 7.30pm - 8.40pm

HOW TO BOOK

Please submit your Booking Form and make payment using the secure PayPal link, or by bank transfer using details on the form.

Witney classes - Mondays

Monday classes take place at The King’s School, New Yatt Road, Witney.

See below for Thursday classes at Burwell Hall, 357 Thorney Leys, Witney

Autumn Term 2025 Timetable - Mondays

NEW TIMINGS for Autumn 2025 only

  • RISING Beginners’ class runs on Mondays 18.00 - 18.40 (40 mins)

  • NEW Beginners’ class runs on Mondays 18.40 - 19.50 (70 mins)

  • Intermediates class runs on Mondays 19.50 – 21.00 (70 mins)

Monday Term dates:

  • 8 Sep 2025

  • 15 Sep 2025

  • 22 Sep 2025*

  • 6 Oct 2025

  • 13 Oct 2025

  • 20 Oct 2025*

  • 3 Nov 2025

  • 10 Nov 2025

  • 17 Nov 2025

  • 24 Nov 2025

  • 15 Dec 2025**

*No class on 29 September, or 27 October 2025 (half term week). 

**Please plan that 15 December 2025 is our catch up week if we need that for any reason (e.g. snow cancellation). If it’s not needed as a catch up, this will be an FOC class as a goodwill gesture from me.

Witney classes - Thursdays

Thursday classes take place at Burwell Hall, 357 Thorney Leys, Witney

Autumn Term 2025 Timetable - Thursdays

Thursday Term dates:

  • 11 Sep 2025

  • 18 Sep 2025

  • 2 Oct 2025

  • 9 Oct 2025

  • 16 Oct 2025*

  • 6 Nov 2025

  • 13 Nov 2025*

  • 27 Nov 2025*

  • 11 Dec 2025

  • 18 Dec 2025

    *No classes on 25 Sep, 23 Oct, 30 Oct 2025, 20 Nov or 4 Dec.

    If we require a catchup class, please plan that we will run one of the later classes in the term as a 2-hour session.

New to T’ai Chi?

If you are looking to start T’ai chi classes please go ahead and book for the Thursday class, Autumn term starting on 11 Sept at Burwell Hall.

Have questions? Please get in touch using the CONTACT form, or send me an email or WhatsApp.

What to expect?

You will receive a warm welcome to your T’ai Chi class.

Classes are typically run as ten-week courses. This way, students can build on their knowledge week by week. There are three parts to the T’ai Chi Chu’uan Yang Long Form, and since there is a running order to the sequence of movements, it is important that students don’t miss too many classes when they are at the Beginners’ level.

There will be times for you to introduce yourself to others in the class, and Helen runs the occasional group discussion on a theme.

Otherwise, we try and keep distractions to a minimum to allow for full relaxation and mental awareness to develop. For complete beginners the first few weeks can be a challenge – to really “get” what you are supposed to do; what you are supposed to achieve. Helen will encourage you to stick at it – it can feel quite strange at first slowing down and really letting go (let’s face it – we are rarely encouraged to give something LESS effort!)

But in T’ai Chi terms – less is definitely MORE. By the end of the ten weeks, you will notice a difference to:

  • your balance

  • your mood

  • your stress levels

  • the strength in your legs particularly

  • your overall sense of wellbeing

  • your understanding of “letting go” and the benefits this can bring to your everyday life

  • the quality of your sleep on T’ai Chi day

The class is roughly divided into thirds. Use the warm-up to prepare your body and your mind for the practice which is to follow. Helen sometimes uses the warm-up to introduce some new moves.

The middle third (a short third) – is taken up by some meditation exercise (usually walking meditation).

In the final third, you will build up a sequence of T’ai Chi movements, known as The Form. There are three Parts to The Form, which when performed from start to finish takes around 18 minutes.

Students leave the class smiling – and most would report a feeling of relaxation and rejuvenation. Students also benefit from improved sleep the night after T’ai Chi practice.

What should you expect from T’ai Chi? Best to come with an open mind and see where it takes you!

Any questions? Do please get in touch.

What to wear?

For your comfort and safety please wear loose clothing, e.g. jogging bottoms and a t-shirt. Wearing a couple of layers would be a good idea. You will ultimately require some T’ai Chi shoes (cotton shoes with a flat espadrille sole), but for your first class please feel free to come in trainers – or better, plimsoles which don’t have a very good grip.

Please bring a small bottle of water with you – there will be a couple of water breaks in the class.

Any medical conditions?

Please let Helen know if you have any medical history you think Helen should know about. You can do this by using the contact form, or send by email. Thanks. In case of any doubt, it is recommended to let your GP know you are about to start T’ai Chi classes.

The T’ai Chi Room Policies

Privacy Policy

In accordance with the General Data Protection Act, please use the link below to access the T’ai Chi Room’s Privacy Policy, including how we keep your data safe; what data we hold and why.

Privacy Notice – May 2018 – Draft pdf v4

Coronavirus Policy

We have moved through the restrictions relating to the pandemic now thankfully. For reference, I will leave our covid recommendations here. I last reviewed on 7 December 2023. It is still good practice to stay home and rest up if you are feeling unwell. That keeps us all healthy.

We are running in-person classes.

I will presume that you are in class because you have chosen to be 😉

If you are feeling at all unwell – for everyone’s comfort PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CLASS. For clarity – if you are in class and have a cold, you will be asked to go home.

We are not requiring masks, but please know that you are welcome to use one.

On arrival, you may want to use the hand sanitisers which the school has installed.

Please observe the thorough handwashing rules, which we have seen on news sites, on the tv and on social media (using soap, 20 seconds)

For the sake of completeness – please adhere to any current self- isolation advice if you have a) contracted the virus or b) travelled to any of the countries currently listed as requiring quarantine measures.