Devised by Hannahs staff, Eau Chi combines Tai Chi with water-based exercise

Great British Life: The Health & Wellbeing Centre at HannahsThe Health & Wellbeing Centre at Hannahs (Image: Archant)

Tai Chi is an increasingly popular exercise class here in the UK, but staff at Hannahs at Seale Hayne have taken it one step further and introduced it as a water-based exercise.

Eau Chi, as they call it, was developed by Richard Ford and Abigail Cozens. The moves used in classes are based on ancient Daoist principles, adapted to be performed in the warm waters of Hannahs’ hydrotherapy pool - one of the only ones open to the public in the South West.

Eau Chi is the perfect blend of ancient and modern ways to improve your overall health and wellbeing.

The classes are easy to follow, meaning people of all ages and abilities can do it.

The water provides support so that people with mobility issues, who may have issues with Tai Chi and other land-based exercise classes, can enjoy the freedom of movement and reap the benefits.

The Health and Wellbeing Centre at Hannahs have been running the Eau Chi classes for 18 months, seeing some remarkable results in that time.

One attendee who lives in constant pain found it a tremendous relief: “This changed my life,” she said. “My partner and I are now able to go out and do things that I never thought I’d be able to do again.

“More people should know about Eau Chi and it should be on the NHS.”

Students have experienced greatly increased mobility and reduced stiffness in their joints.

People suffering from knee and hip complaints find the support of the water particularly helpful, enabling them to gradually build up their strength and flexibility in an enjoyable way.

Eau Chi, like Tai Chi, is extremely calming and relaxing - making it a great way to de-stress and unwind.

The gentle, flowing movements are deceptively powerful and, while you may not feel as though you are exerting yourself, the effects are far-reaching.

Being based on Tai Chi Qigong, the exercises work with the natual energy flows in the body, stimulating healing and bringing balance and harmony to the system.

Health and beauty editor, Gemma Clapp headed to Hannahs to try out the class first-hand:

“The class was extremely easy to follow, even for a beginner such as myself. The whole process is extremely relaxing and the warmth of the hydrotherapy pool was an added bonus.

“After the class I felt de-stressed and well stretched. I’d thoroughly recommend attending!”

To find out more about Eau Chi or about the Health and Wellbeing Centre, visit discoverhannahs.org