Our free martial arts classes help people find the right balance

Sometimes we introduce a health and wellbeing session to our Get Active programme that has far more impact on participants than even we could have hoped for.

When we launched weekly free Tai Chi, Health Qigong (using sticks) and Qi Wuu (using fans) classes at outdoor locations in the north and south of the park this summer, dozens of people of all ages signed up to give these ancient martial arts and practices a go. Participants travel from as far as Brixton in south London to the beautiful outdoor setting at Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire to take part in what many describe as the highlight of their week.

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority funds the sessions, that run until November and are delivered by Dao Lu CIC, adding to the wide variety of free and low-cost opportunities to be active in the Park.

Grandmother Wunmi attends the sessions from her home in Brixton every week. “I love the fresh air and being by the water. You feel very free. This has become the highlight of my week. It takes me a while to get here from Brixton but it’s a whole day out and so worth it. I attend both the sessions and really look forward to them. I’ve done a little Tai Chi before but never outdoors in this setting. It’s very special. I’d not visited Lee Valley White Water Centre before, but it’s incredible and I’ve ventured out to explore the park as well, which is fabulous. You just don’t get this sort of open space in the centre of London.”

The Authority’s Get Active programme delivers more than 20 free activities a week throughout the Park – from walking groups, chair yoga, exercise classes, Nordic walking and cycling for wellbeing and the addition of Tai Chi, Qui Gong and Qi Wuu delivers yet more opportunities to be active.

Childcare worker and hypnotherapist, Bhavisha, 33, from Tottenham, says: “I love the sessions. I can feel such a difference to my physical and mental wellbeing. I work with children so coming along each week makes me feel calm and re-energised. I’ve never done Tai Chi or Qui Gong before, so this is my first experience of both. It was recommended by a family friend.

“I love the community environment. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and there are participants of all ages which is lovely. London is noisy and nonstop, so this has become an important time in my week to travel to this wonderful space, to stop and reset.”

Teacher Itricia, who leads the classes in the grounds of Lee Valley White Water Centre, says the sessions have been a huge hit: “They’ve been phenomenal. It’s great to be part of this learning experience with people trying Tai Chi for the first time. It’s such a beautiful setting. This community group is so receptive to being in the moment, it’s beautiful to see. The sessions have been very well attended from the outset, with many people coming to both the Tai Chi and Qi Gong.”