Inner Depth
19 Jordons Brook
Totnes
Devon TQ9 5FR

01803 864950
07985 350214
07811 132866


Tai Chi Chu'an

Our Tai Chi classes and workshops are held In Totnes and Dartington, South Hams, South Devon.

At Inner Depth we teach the Lee Family Style of Tai Chi Chu’an – a style that demonstrates perfectly the "Yin" (soft/weak) and "Yang" (hard/strong) nature of the world around us. Its foundation is the Taoist principles of harmony and balance which are hinged in this Yin/Yang balance. It is not equal and opposite but rather one exists because of the of the other and everything is in constant change.

Tai Chi can really enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the world around you. It leads to decreased stress levels and provides greatly improved coping mechanisms.

The classes combine the following elements, many of which have exercises to meet specific ailments and illnesses:

  • Tai Chi Chu’an: a sequence of moves often known as "meditation in movement"
  • Tai Chi Dance: a sequence of dynamic flowing moves known as the “Flying Hand”
  • Chi & Li Kung work: internal and external energy development work
  • Kai Mein: ‘Open Door’ Chinese Yoga for flexibility and internal harmony
  • Tao Yin: Breathing Exercises for health and relaxation
  • Y Fu Shou: touch sensitivity work with a partner
Suitable for adults of all ages and abilities, our soft gentle classes work on harmonising Mind, Body and Spirit. The classes help improve postural alignment, balance and coordination. They are also particularly useful for those looking for long term health benefits.

Lee Family Style

Our particular style has a reputed origin of over 3,000 years and was brought to the West by Chan Kam Lee in the early part of the last century.

He passed on his knowledge of this traditional family style to Professor Chee Soo, his adopted son, who was later to become the Grandmaster of the Chinese Cultural Arts Association with thousands of students and teachers throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and even as far as Australia.

Professor Chee Soo died in 1994 but his legacy lives on with a number of Master grade level teacher who have studied in all sides of this comprehensive Art which also contains the "Eight Strands of the Brocade" healing system.

As a summary, the Lee Family system contains:

  • Tai Chi Chu'an - Including Tao Yin (Breathing exercises), Chi Kung (internal energy development), Li Kung (external energy development), Kai Mein (Chinese Yoga) and Tai Chi Weapons (Staff, Sword, Silk)
  • Feng Shou Kung Fu - a comprehensive fighting system of kicks, strikes and evasions alongside locks, breakouts and weapons (staff, broadsword, fan)
  • Chi Shu - a throwing art where the opponents' force is used to throw them off their feet. Often known as Chinese Aikido
  • Chin-Na - locking and seizing art
  • Chinese wrestling and floor grappling
  • Healing Arts - Amno (massage), Tui Na (pressure point release), Chang Ming Diet, acupressure work.
All sides of the Art inter-relate and encompass parts of the other.

The depth of knowledge displayed in this ancient Art can only really be appreciated by doing classes. Excellent teaching specifically tailored to meet your needs and learning will help you on a journey of understanding in many ways.

Workshops - we hold half-day and full-day workshops In TOTNES and DARTINGTON, DEVON, which are designed to give a more intensive training time to help progress learning. These allow time for deeper exploration of the individual parts of the whole Tai Chi system. 

Please see our Class/Workshop Details page for more information.

The Wu Hsing (Five Elements) Association

The Wu Hsing Association is open to anyone who participates in the Tai Chi, Kung Fu or Kung Fu "Dragons" classes. Once joining this Association, the participant has access to a full "Grading" syllabus which allows them to move to an Instructor in the Arts. Please see our Wu Hsing Association page for details.
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What They Say About Our Tai Chi Classes

"We're made to think small. This teaches you to think big, really BIG!!"

"It's difficult to explain, but if you can go beyond what you think you know, you've started your journey."

“I love the softness in the movement and the way you have to link your body to what is going on inside you”

"We seem to come and go in our lives. It's only when we stay that the roots begin to grow."

"Don't expect it to be easy - like all the best things in life, it takes time and effort - but if you persist, the discoveries you make can change your life."

"Life is a journey and it is made better by these classes"

“It is the most challenging thing I do” - Fitness Instructor