MASTER DING ACADEMY – TAI CHI CHUAN IN FLORENCE

An elixir of long life through harmony of body, mind, and spirit. Though the roots of Tai Chi Chuan lie in Taoist philosophy and in the ancient martial practice of the Shaolin temple, this ancient Chinese discipline is also much more. In fact, it is a therapeutic method based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine that, through the search for correct postures and movement and proper breathing, practising Tai Chi Chuan can re-establish a harmonious flow of energy in the body, helping to remove the blockages that are often at the root of many ailments.

The Florence branch of the Master Ding Academy is a small oasis of silence and well-being in the heart of the Oltrarno, a historic working-class district in the city centre.

Lessons at the Master Ding Academy, under the guidance of Instructor Cedric Randolph, who has been teaching martial arts in Florence since 1984, take place in a relaxed and friendly environment. The school offers a complete programme of instruction in the traditional Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan, from beginner to advanced level.

Classes are held at the gym facility of the Pio X Artigianelli Institute complex, a former convent founded in the 13^th century, in the San Frediano district near Porta Romana.