Tai Chi
at Home:
health, mind & body
No matter your age or level of fitness, the practise of Tai Chi will bring amazing changes to your life.
It combines both physical and mental exercise that will invigorate and bring lasting heath benefits.
Welcome to Tai Chi at Home
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. I really hope that it will be able to help you in both mind and body and that we can have some fun along the way.
This website was originally built during COVID to help my students, friends and the greater community.
I teach regular classes at the Ballan and Darley Neighbourhood Houses and I take private and small group sessions at my studio in Ballan.
Visit me here online with videos for both beginners of Tai Chi and advanced students.
Feel free to check out my youtube channel for more and make sure to subscribe.
Ohh yeah, keep an eye out for guest appearances in my videos by Fritz (Schnauzer) the Tai Chi at Home mascot.
Tai Chi for everyone
What is Tai Chi?
Originating in China, Tai Chi is the beautiful practice of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation, balance and health. It is an ancient tradition treasured by the Chinese for its gift of long life and harmony and this gift is freely shared with the rest of the world.
Tai Chi for health, mind & body:
Studies have resoundingly shown that Tai Chi has amazing health benefits:
- Live longer
- Improve muscle strength, balance and flexibility
- Boost cognitive function
- Improve COPD symptoms
- Get better night-time sleep quality
- Improve symptoms of fibromyalgia
- See improvements in cardiovascular fitness
- Reduce risk of falls… and even more!
Tai Chi instructor Patrick Bonello
Photo with thanks to Mick Davson Photography
Join a Class
Ballan Neighbourhood House
Thursday 6:30-7:30pm – Beginners
Thursday 7-8pm – Advanced
Darley Neighbourhood House
Wednesday 6pm
About Me
My Tai Chi journey approaching three decades
I began my Tai Chi journey in Geelong in 1993 when I took up a short course to learn the basic Yang 8 form. My instructor was an elderly man who had taken up Tai Chi when he developed crippling arthritis, the regular exercise helped to such a great extent that he regained movement and began to teach the form himself. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to offer more advanced classes so I began looking for a new teacher.
A brief stint at another school helped me understand that some teachers are not the right fit, technical skills don’t mean one can teach. I thought my journey was over, but something kept nagging at me to persist and not to let go of Tai Chi.
It took me 12 years to take up Tai Chi again, this time in Melbourne where I learned the Yang 10, 24 and the 32 Sword form. My wonderful teacher had a large class of enthusiastic students and trainers and the next two years rekindled my passion for this wonderful martial art.
When I moved away from the big city to the rural township of Ballan I discovered Patrica Kent and the Lilac Moon Tai Chi school. I was and continue to be awed by her skill, compassion and enthusiasm. Patricia has become more than a teacher, she is my Tai Chi master (Lǎoshī).
I have been honoured to spend eleven years training with Patricia, we have visited China together three time to train with her master and grand master. She constantly inspires me to greater things and convinced me in 2016 to use my training skills to teach Tai Chi.
I am very humbled to share Tai Chi with my students and forever appreciate being part of the Lilac Moon Tai Chi family… It is this humbling journey I want to share with you, the visitor to my website.
What no charge?
My reason for setting up this website has been to share tai chi with my students, to keep them active and healthy and to gift these lessons to anyone who wants to take part online.
I ask no fee, but, if you feel that these lessons benefit you and you are in a position to contribute to me by way of a donation, that would be greatly appreciated.