About Wild Horse Tai Chi
Wild Horse Tai Chi is operated by Carol Gascoyne. Carol is an experienced Tai Chi and Health Qigong Instructor with a particular interest in using these ancient Chinese arts to help improve health and wellbeing.
Carol holds a professional teaching qualification, having graduated from the University of Derby in 2009. She also holds the Wright Foundation Level 3 Referral Consultant Qualification for GP Exercise Referrals, Level 4 Specialist Qualification in Exercise for Long Term Neurological Conditions, Level 4 in Mental Health Exercise Referral, Level 4 Obesity & Diabetes, Level 4 in Pulmonary Rehab and Level 4 Exercise for Arthritis.
She is continually working to improve her own experience and knowledge and her most recent Tai Chi and Health Qigong qualifications are listed below:
Instructor Member of Deyin Taijiquan Institute – (Yang and Sun style)
British Health Qigong Association Level 4 Instructor and qualified to teach Yi Jin Jing (muscle tendon strengthening exercises), Wu Qin Xi (five animals), Ba Duan Jin (Eight Treasures) , Liu Zi Jue (Six Healing Sounds), Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong 12 Method (Daoyin 12 Health Preservation Exercises), Tai Ji Yang Sheng Zhang (Qigong Stick Routine), Mawangdui, Da Wu, 12 Seated Exercises and Ming Mu Gong (Qigong for the eyes)
International Health Qigong Federation – Duan 6
International Health Qigong Federation – Health Qigong International Referee
Chinese Health Qigong Association – Training Certificate of Health Qigong Seminar for International Instructors
Tai Chi for Health Institute – Tai Chi for Arthritis 1 & 2 and Tai Chi for Falls Prevention
Member of CIMSPA
Carol is not only passionate about helping people to improve their quality of life but also firmly believes in the importance of using these gentle exercises to maintain this. She has a wide range of experience having worked with learners with a variety of health problems which include mental health issues, older and less mobile learners, Fibromyalgia, ME/Chronic Fatique Syndrome, MS, Heart problems, Parkinsons and Arthritis. All classes focus on the importance of reducing stress and the connection between stress and poor health.
Most classes include both Tai Chi and Chinese Health Qigong exercises. Health Qigong is not so well known as Tai Chi but is becoming very popular worldwide due to the routines often being easier to learn with many associated health benefits. The Health Qigong routine Yi Jin Jing (muscle tendon strengthening exercises) is particularly popular due to the many health benefits it can offer and the fact that it can be practised safely by all age groups and abilities by using slight adaptations where necessary. For safety reasons however, as with any exercise programme, it is important that it is taught under the supervision of a qualified instructor. (To check whether an instructor is qualified to teach this or any other Health Qigong routine, please check on the British Health Qigong website www.healthqigong.org.uk).
The Health Qigong is normally preceded by safe warm up exercises and followed by Tai Chi. Although Tai Chi is an ancient chinese martial art and it is important to understand the martial implications behind the movements, all these classes are health focused so if you are wanting a more martial class, then these classes are not for you.
There are often social events organised throughout the year as most people consider the social element of these classes to be very important. All classes are very welcoming and friendly so why not come along and give it a go.
If you have any health issues, it is recommended that you take advice from your Doctor before taking part in this or any other exercise programme. Carol will always work with your Doctor or Medical Professional and is qualified to take referrals under the GP Exercise Referral Scheme.