Get into the flow with healthy moves at Willard Beach

Moving slowly and purposefully his body flows from one posture into the next, always staying firmly rooted in the sand while the sun rises behind him.

With a black belt in Wudang Kung Fu and a passion for the power of Tai Chi, Matthew Pickles will be teaching these ancient movements at sunrise sessions at Willard Beach starting on Saturday, November 10.

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“I started Kung Fu and Tai Chi eight years ago for conditioning during rugby off season. I was skeptical at first, but once I started I was hooked and never played a game of rugby again,” said Pickles, who is the head teacher at Ming Kung Fu in Durban and an instructor at Virgin Active Moses Mabhida.

“While these exercises and postures work with the whole body, the focus is on the legs as there is a direct correlation between how strong your legs and core are and long life.”

He said the whole family can do Tai Chi as he is focusing on the health side of it, not the combat aspect.

“This is not a self defense class – it is focused on slow strength building while improving flexibility through low impact training without any explosive work. It is great for kids because it will not stunt their growth, while older people will enjoy that it is gentle on the joints. I have seen a 91-year-old man in a Tai Chi class in China, so really, anyone can do it,” chuckled the 31-year-old financial manager for BMW.

Improving your body’s flow of energy through these specific movements can also help with problems such as arthritis and improve your blood circulation.

“Martial arts is designed on the natural movements of the body. The Chinese refer to the flow of blood as energy, as blood transports oxygen and nutrients through your body. The postures we do open up those lines to increase blood flow, which leads to a good build up of energy.”

While many might think that Tai Chi is all about meditation, it is not just a case of sitting cross legged with your eyes closed.

“You need to learn to move before you can meditate. Meditation should not be mistaken for thinking about nothing – it is about pure focus and learning to hone your mind and train it to think about one thing. Like everything, it comes with practice and patience.”

First class is on Saturday, November 10 from 6.30am to 7.30am. Your first class is free, thereafter it is R100 a lesson. For more information, contact Pickles at 084 555 5944.

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