A BRAND new sport developed from tai chi is set to be launched in the UK for the first time at a martial arts clubs in Clacton, Frinton and Colchester.
Tai chi soft ball has been developed in China and has been described as a cross between the meditative martial art and badminton.
It combines three elements – a competitive sport played against another person, a graceful form and techniques for exercise.
Tendring-based Dragon Martial Arts School instructor Eileen Dwan has been to Beijing numerous times over the past two years to learn the sport, which is played with a specially-designed racket and ball.
She has also been given official accreditation from the China Beijing Centre for Cultural Exchange of Nationalities and will head up the UK’s official association for the new sport.
The first class takes place on Monday, October 17, at Clacton Leisure Centre, in Vista Road, from 12noon to 1pm.
Weekly classes will take place at Clacton Leisure Centre on Mondays at 12noon and Wednesdays at 7.45pm, and at Frinton’s McGrigor Hall, in Fourth Avenue, on Thursdays at 1.30pm.
Classes will also take place at Highwoods Sports Centre, Brinkley Lane, Colchester, on Tuesdays at 6.30pm.
Sifu Eileen said: “Dragon Martial Arts School has been running kung-fu and tai chi training across Tendring for 30 years, so this new discipline feels like a very natural progression for us.
“We have a strong tai chi network here and we hope the introduction of the sport here will be as big of a success here as it has been in Beijing.
“Our club has made many links with clubs in China in recent years and it is a real honour for us to be given the privilege of not only being the first accredited club in the UK, but to be entrusted with running the Tai Chi Softball Union of Great Britain.
“It is an amazing discipline, helping to improve health, aerobic fitness and wellbeing, but thanks to the three different disciplines it can cater to all ages and abilities.”
For more information call 07544 254113 or go to taichisoftball.co.uk.
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