Taiji & Qigong

Taiji & Qigong Tai Chi & Qigong classes for all ages and abilities, from beginner to advanced. James Drewe has been studying tai chi since 1975, and teaching since 1990.

He is a qualified teacher, and acupuncturist, and is the author of 3 books on the tai chi. Classes in London & Kent. London: East Finchley, West End (Tottenham Court Road), Westminster. Kent: Sevenoaks, Longfield (near Dartford)

Internal Balance (1)The Meaning of 'Balance' in this Context: I'm using the word 'balance' to mean an 'internal balance'...
01/08/2026

Internal Balance (1)

The Meaning of 'Balance' in this Context: I'm using the word 'balance' to mean an 'internal balance' both in body and mind. This is homeostasis. This is both an internal physical balance (from the point of view of bodily health), but is also an emotional balance. It is about how all parts of you work collectively, with no part of you working harder than any other part, and what you can do about it to make that happen. Your ability to balance on one leg is the smallest part of your 'internal balance', and is almost a byproduct....

The Meaning of ‘Balance’ in this Context: I’m using the word ‘balance’ to mean an ‘internal balance’ both in body and mind. This is homeostasis. This is bo…

Working From The Centre (Part 3)Energy Circulation. There is an esoteric side to focusing on using the centre; this is t...
01/07/2026

Working From The Centre (Part 3)

Energy Circulation. There is an esoteric side to focusing on using the centre; this is to do with something called the 'Microcosmic' and 'Macrocosmic' 'Orbits'. One of the reasons that so much importance is placed on the Dantian is because, in Chinese thinking, it is considered to be the energy storehouse. The Chinese refer to this area as a 'cauldron', and in some images you can see it depicted as a shallow witch's cauldron which steams....

Energy Circulation. There is an esoteric side to focusing on using the centre; this is to do with something called the ‘Microcosmic’ and ‘Macrocosmic’ ‘Orbits’. …

Working From The Centre (Part 2)If you have tried the exercise from the previous blog: "With a finger on Qihai (Ren 6), ...
05/06/2026

Working From The Centre (Part 2)

If you have tried the exercise from the previous blog: "With a finger on Qihai (Ren 6), extremely gently try to contract the area under your finger, but inside your abdomen, and only this area", you might have found that it's almost possible, but not entirely. What happens is that when you try to contract only that area, other areas also contract, or to be more accurate, other areas are drawn gently inwards towards the centre's contraction. This is exactly what you want to happen, but the important point here is that the drawing in is being led by the centre....

If you have tried the exercise from the previous blog: “With a finger on Qihai (Ren 6), extremely gently try to contract the area under your finger, but inside your abdomen, and only this are…

Working From the Centre (Part 1)The Magical Number '3' You've probably noticed that things work in threes; any more than...
01/05/2026

Working From the Centre (Part 1)

The Magical Number '3' You've probably noticed that things work in threes; any more than that, and the brain starts to find it harder to juggle the concepts. For example, and not in any order:- ......

The Magical Number ‘3’ You’ve probably noticed that things work in threes; any more than that, and the brain starts to find it harder to juggle the concepts. For example, and not …

Fasciaf you've ever opened up a chicken, you will know about fascia. It's that elastic, stretchy substance wrapped aroun...
01/04/2026

Fascia

f you've ever opened up a chicken, you will know about fascia. It's that elastic, stretchy substance wrapped around e.g. the breast of the chicken. Through the microscope it looks more like this, but what you cannot see from this photo is that the fluid is constantly moving within those lines, and that the structure is never constant, and is always changing....

f you’ve ever opened up a chicken, you will know about fascia. It’s that elastic, stretchy substance wrapped around e.g. the breast of the chicken. Through the microscope it looks more …

‘Sōng’ (松) – It’s all about ‘Relationship’Both tai chi and qigong are opportunities to practise and change how we relate...
01/03/2026

‘Sōng’ (松) – It’s all about ‘Relationship’

Both tai chi and qigong are opportunities to practise and change how we relate to anything outside ourselves, i.e. the rest of the world. This is possible when doing solo exercises, but becomes much more apparent when working in contact with someone else. Sōng (松) Sōng is our ability to become an empty vessel, where events that happen to us are allowed to pass through us, without our absorbing them....

Both tai chi and qigong are opportunities to practise and change how we relate to anything outside ourselves, i.e. the rest of the world. This is possible when doing solo exercises, but becomes muc…

Pulling & Pushing Joints, and Perceptionyou've ever been to an osteopath or an Alexander Technique teacher, you will pro...
01/02/2026

Pulling & Pushing Joints, and Perception

you've ever been to an osteopath or an Alexander Technique teacher, you will probably have had the experience of having your legs 'pulled out'. It's a great feeling. You lie on your back on the couch, the practitioner takes hold of your ankles, and very gently leans away from you, as though trying to pull your legs from your body. For those of you who haven't experienced it, it might sound slightly bizarre, but, if you are able to release your hips, knees, and possibly ankles, it's a wonderful feeling....

you’ve ever been to an osteopath or an Alexander Technique teacher, you will probably have had the experience of having your legs ‘pulled out’. It’s a great feeling. You lie…

Stepping 90º in Tai Chi & QigongIn Tai Chi and in Qigong, it is not uncommon to have to turn and step at 90º to the left...
01/01/2026

Stepping 90º in Tai Chi & Qigong

In Tai Chi and in Qigong, it is not uncommon to have to turn and step at 90º to the left or right. This is where balance, good posture, and leg strength become very important. Falling into a step: What tends to happen when stepping to the left or right is that people tend to 'fall' into the new step, they do not step under control. This means that, for the briefest of moments, just before the stepping foot arrives on the ground, they are falling and therefore unable to stop the step until the foot lands....

In Tai Chi and in Qigong, it is not uncommon to have to turn and step at 90º to the left or right. This is where balance, good posture, and leg strength become very important. Falling into a step: …

Sōng and Qì"The relationship between sōng (松, release/relaxation) and qì (氣, vital energy) is one of the most fundamenta...
01/12/2025

Sōng and Qì

"The relationship between sōng (松, release/relaxation) and qì (氣, vital energy) is one of the most fundamental principles in Taijiquan. They aren’t separate—sōng is the condition that allows qì to manifest, circulate, and be directed." (Courtesy of AI). To put it into more tangible terms, if you are tense either physically, mentally, or emotionally, or all three, your tissues contract. When you've been outside in very cold weather and you come indoors. Your body shivers - a natural reflex to loosen the muscles, enhance blood flow, and reduce contraction in the body.......

“The relationship between sōng (松, release/relaxation) and qì (氣, vital energy) is one of the most fundamental principles in Taijiquan. They aren’t separate—sōng is the condition that allows …

In Tai Chi & in Qigong, we are always moving forward, backward, left and right. If you can understand the differences an...
05/11/2025

In Tai Chi & in Qigong, we are always moving forward, backward, left and right. If you can understand the differences and similarities between 'ordinary' walking, and Tai Chi & Qigong walking, it makes learning those arts easier....

In Tai Chi & in Qigong, we are always moving forward, backward, left and right. If you can understand the differences and similarities between ‘ordinary’ walking, and Tai Chi & …

Address

55 Huntingdon Road
London
N29DX.

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

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+447836710281

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