Some years ago Pat, a lady probably in her 60s who suffered from arthritis in her knees, hobbled into the class with a walking stick.

Pat had heard of the benefits of Tai Chi and was determined – very determined – to enjoy those benefits. She practised the Tai Chi walk in her home every day – she said that she wore a track in her carpet.

To everyone’s surprise and pleasure after some time she threw away her walking stick. Now, she is teaching Tai Chi. She puts her recovery in large part down to the Tai Chi Walk.