Tai Chi - The Rainbow School

The Rainbow Tai Chi Chi Kung School, near Ashburton, was established in 1998 by Peter Chin Kean Choy, essentially to teach teachers. There are currently more than 100 qualified Rainbow Tai Chi Chi Kung teachers in the UK and around the world, and Peter Choy's teachings have touched the lives of more than 10,000 people. Christine O'Reilly describes the principles of Rainbow Tai Chi and looks at some of the school's work.

The Rainbow Tai Chi School sits on top of Pitley Hill, surrounded by rolling hills and magnificent valleys reaching out to Dartmoor and the sea. In days gone by, Pitley Hill was used as a beacon for communicating important messages and, in many ways, the school continues to do just that. Today, the message is the awakening of healing and rejuvenating Chi energy.

To those unfamiliar with the term 'Chi', it is the intrinsic 'life force' found in all things and Tai Chi is the dance, meditation in movement, that unites Yin and Yang forces to find the Tao, or creative solution.

Peter Choy, founder and teaching director of the school, has more than 30 years' experience of teaching Tai Chi. "If you want health and rejuvenation, you need Chi energy," he said. "The physical fact is that you have more than 70% fluidity inside your body, and your fluidic movements make you a perfect conductor of Chi. That is why a beginner is able to sense Chi during the first hour of my classes."

What sets Rainbow Tai Chi apart is that it provides seven major transformative tools, corresponding to the seven colours of the rainbow. Peter explains: "We focus on violet for healing; indigo, leadership training; blue, Trilogue system of development and Swimming Dragon Chi Kung; green, organic gardening (inner and outer); yellow, study of Tai Chi classic gems of wisdom; orange, comedy; and red, Tao of love and sexual circulation."

Another unique feature of Rainbow Tai Chi is a set of 15 exercises (eight Tai Chi and seven Chi Kung) known as the Fundamentals, which feature in Peter Choy's book, '15 Ways to a Happier You'. They give the practitioner a fundamental understanding of Tai Chi and Chi Kung energies and are effective tools for solving problems in daily life, says Peter. Health claims for Tai Chi and Chi Kung include increased heart and lung capacity, and improved mental clarity, flexibility, balance and muscle strength.

The Rainbow Tai Chi School is presently the only place in the world offering the study of Tai Chi in water, which Peter says can offer a whole range of benefits, from weight loss to improved posture.

The school was established primarily to teach teachers. Peter Choy said:
"A teacher can reach hundreds of people, whereas a weekly class can only reach so many. I feel so inspired by all the work and nuggets of wisdom already discovered by graduates and trainee teachers over the years."

The FTT (Foundation Taoist and Tai Chi course) runs over one or two years and involves study of Peter Choy's two books. Some students study purely for personal development, while others are training to teach Tai Chi.

As well as regular monthly homework, trainees practice the fundamentals daily and keep a journal of personal insights. "Many graduates have applied their training to creating happier lifestyles and integrating what they learn into their chosen occupations," says Peter. "The course is also a springboard for many students to discover their true vocations."

The FTT group meet monthly for an intensive weekend of study and practice at The Centre. The Zhineng Chi Kung course runs concurrently with the FTT. Students regularly practice a set of exercises designed to increase and channel cosmic energy into healing the practitioner and his/her student.

Other courses include the F3T, which studies the Tai Chi Short Form to teach, Swimming Dragon Chi Kung and the Trilogue (inner family) Intensive for personal transformation.

The school has received many kind words from participants over the years. This, from Barbara Hage, who attended the 2001 Summer School, is typical: "In the silence I found my heart maybe for the first time. I feel a new wholeness and peace within and a gentle quiet acceptance to hold myself with love. I have learnt so much from this workshop, words cannot describe."

A school for growth
As well as working 'organically' on personal transformation, the school's five acres of land is currently in conversion to Soil Association organic standard to grow vegetables and fruits for students studying at the Centre, as well as flowers and herbs for organic perfume and healing preparations.

The school also produces a large annual crop of potimarron vegetables for students and soup kitchens in Exeter and Plymouth.

Fluidity - in bottles
Inspired by the "physical confirmation of the beauty of Rainbow Tai Chi energies", Peter Choy decided to produce Rejuvenating Chi Water. The school's own natural spring water is bottled, chi-energised and distributed throughout the country. It is available in Devon from Greenlife at Totnes, or direct from the Rainbow Tai Chi School.

Inspired by the search for an authentic, natural scent, the school last year also began production of organic perfume. Organic and wild-grown essences from around the world (and UK!) are used to create the most beautiful, pure aromas. Unique designs are also created for individuals looking for their own unique scent.



For further details contact the School or visit Health Foods Unlimited (near PC World) in Exeter; Poppadums Health Food Store in Dawlish; and Green Life in Totnes.

Contact The Rainbow Tai Chi Chi Kung School at Creek Farm, Pitley Hill, Woodland, Ashburton, Devon, TQ13 7JY Tel: 01364 653810 Fax: 01364 653618 Email: peterchin2@aol.com or visit their website at: www.rainbow-taichi.org.uk

Peter Choy is the author of '15 Ways to a Happier You' and '37 Steps to Happiness with An Introduction to Aqua Tai Chi'