The Taoist Arts Organisation in Lincolnshire
Teaching Tai Chi, Qigong and Martial Arts
In Lincoln, Boston, Bourne, Horncastle and Spilsby

 The T.A.O. offers a wide range of different types of class to suit the needs of different students.

Our members in the U.K. France and Germany become part of our unique group of friends following a path of learning aimed at improving physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

We provide high quality teaching to help people of all ages learn to benefit from the gentle art of Tai Chi.

Li style tai chi consists of a range of Taoist practices that include Tao Yin (Respiration Therapy) Kai Men (Taoist Yoga), Tai Chi Forms, 

I Fou Shou or ‘sticky hands’ technique, Whirling Hands, Whirling Arms and various Qi and Li development exercises. Lee style tai chi consists of five main tai chi forms. They are;

Li Style Tai Chi  which consists of 140 movements which are broken up into 42 sequences – each having individual names, such as ”Single Whip”, “Brush Knee and Side Step” and ”Crane Exercises its Wings”.
Beginners generally learn the first 50 movements as a Short Form which is broken up into 15 sequences.

Li Style Tai Chi Flying Hands form (once called tai chi dance) which is a larger and more expressive frame consisting of 184 moves.

Li Style Tai Chi Sword requires a greater sense of balance and control due to the weight of the sword and the demands of the movements. This form consists of 164 movements.

Li Style Tai Chi Fan is a relatively short Form of 86 movements requiring greater flexibility, dexterity of the hands and wrists.

LiStyle Tai Chi Staff  requires greater control of the central core movement to perform this form well. It contains 160 movements.

Li style tai chi training has five distinct areas of development that comprise the whole Art: 1.Physical, 2.Mental, 3.Breathing, 4.Sheng Qi (Internal energy) and 5.Ching Sheng Li (External energy).

Li style tai chi was first brought to the West in the 1930s by Chan Kam Li. It was then made popular by Chee Soo who was the President of the International Taoist Society from 1958 until his death in 1994. After Chee soo died the International Taoist Society ceased to continue as there was division among the three remaining most senior students. The most senior and experienced student was Master Tony Swanson who’s martial arts experience now spans some fifty years. Master Swanson trained under Professor Chee Soo from 1968 until Chee Soo died in 1994. His understanding, experience and level of expertise in Li style tai chi has developed from forty four years of personal commitment and study of the Li Family System of Taoist Arts.

Li Style Tai Chi is commonly known as the Yin and Yang Style, as everything within it is in complete harmony and in perfect balance.

Kai Men

A form of Qigong, each exercise has a basic 'Sequence' which is performed to a set breathing pattern, and an 'Extension' to natural breathing.  Each Extension has five variables which can be adjusted to suit the capability of the practitioner.

  Tao Yin (Respiration Therapy)