LFA Tai Chi Edinburgh
Restore Your Health.
Rebuild Your Balance.
From The Comfort Of Your Home.
Join Edinburgh's most experienced LFA Tai Chi instructor for live Zoom classes — a complete health system rooted in Chinese medicine, safe and accessible at every age.
No card required · No commitment · Max 10 students per class · Spot not confirmed until you register
From Pain
To Teaching
I never planned to become a Tai Chi instructor. Like many of you, I started this journey because I was searching for relief from my own physical struggles.
That personal experience of transformation is why I teach the way I do — meeting every student exactly where they are.
Twenty-eight years ago, my back was a constant source of frustration. My knees felt like they belonged to someone twice my age, and I could feel my balance becoming less reliable with each passing year. The doctors had their suggestions — pills, physio, maybe surgery eventually — but nothing addressed what I instinctively knew my body needed: gentle, healing movement that worked with my body's natural wisdom, not against it.
That's when I discovered LFA Tai Chi — a style deeply rooted in the time-tested principles of Chinese medicine. Unlike the martial arts demonstrations you might see in films, this was something entirely different. A therapeutic practice designed to restore the body's natural balance and energy flow.
"Within just a few weeks of practice, my joints felt smoother, my posture improved, and that nagging back pain that had been my daily companion for years began to fade."
More importantly, I felt like myself again — energetic, confident in my movement, and optimistic about my body's future. That transformation changed everything for me. I knew I had to share this gentle yet powerful practice with others who were facing the same challenges I had faced.
Qualifications
& Track Record
- ✓ Certified under the LFA Family Association (LFA) — one of the most clinically-researched therapeutic Tai Chi lineages in the world
- ✓ In-depth training in the Traditional Chinese Medicine principles underlying LFA Tai Chi — not just the physical movements
- ✓ Specialist experience adapting Tai Chi for joint pain, arthritis, post-surgical recovery, balance problems, and chronic fatigue
- ✓ Edinburgh-based, teaching across Nuffield Health Club, David Lloyds, Newtongrange Community, and live Zoom
- ✓ Recommended by Edinburgh physiotherapists for post-injury and post-surgical Tai Chi rehabilitation
What Makes LFA
Tai Chi Different?
After nearly three decades of teaching, I've learned that not all Tai Chi is created equal. The LFA style I practise and teach is specifically designed around the healing principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine — the same ancient wisdom that has been helping people maintain health and vitality for thousands of years.
In Chinese medicine, good health comes from the smooth flow of Qi (life energy) through the body's meridian system. When this energy becomes blocked or imbalanced — due to stress, injury, or the wear and tear of daily life — we experience stiffness, pain, and reduced vitality.
Every movement in LFA Tai Chi practice is designed to gently restore this energy flow. We're not just moving our arms and legs — we're opening meridian pathways, stimulating acupressure points, and encouraging the body's natural healing mechanisms to function optimally.
Why this works so well for people over 40: As we age, our bodies need a different kind of movement than what worked in our twenties. High-impact exercise can worsen joint problems and create new injuries. LFA Tai Chi's gentle, flowing movements work with your body's current condition — gradually improving strength, flexibility, and balance without stress or strain.
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✦De-stress naturally — Flowing Tai Chi movements melt away tension by activating the parasympathetic nervous system
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✦Cultivate inner harmony — Balance mind, body, and spirit through meditative, intentional movement
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✦Boost agility & prevent falls — Tai Chi rebuilds coordination, stability, and the deep balance systems that decline with age
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✦Sharpen focus — Mindful Tai Chi enhances mental clarity and concentration
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✦Energise your life — Increase vitality and feel genuinely rejuvenated after every session
The Chinese medicine approach also recognises that physical symptoms often have emotional and energetic components. Many students are amazed to discover that as their joint pain improves, they also feel calmer, sleep better, and have more mental clarity. This isn't coincidence — it's the natural result of restoring balance to the whole system.
Why I Moved
To Online Classes
For many years I taught exclusively in-person classes around Edinburgh. But I noticed something troubling: many of the people who needed Tai Chi most — those dealing with mobility issues, transportation challenges, or feeling too self-conscious to join a group class — weren't able to access the benefits of this healing practice.
The shift to online classes has been a revelation. Students practise in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, without worrying about keeping up with others or feeling judged. The intimate nature of our Zoom classes means I can give personalised attention to each student, offering modifications and encouragement based on their individual needs.
No Commute
Practise from your living room. No driving, no parking, no rushing. Just you and 45 minutes of gentle movement.
Total Privacy
No feeling watched or judged. Many students feel far more comfortable learning at home than in a group studio setting.
Personalised Attention
Small class sizes mean John can see every student clearly and provide real-time corrections tailored to your body.
Class Recordings
Every session is recorded. Miss a class or want to practise again? Access the full recording within 24 hours.
My Teaching
Philosophy
"After 28 years of helping people rediscover the joy of pain-free movement, I know this: your body has an amazing capacity to heal and improve, regardless of your age or current condition."
Lives Changed.
Every Week.
I hadn't been able to walk more than 10 minutes without my lower back seizing up for three years. After six weeks of John's class, I walked a full mile with my daughter. I actually cried on the way home.
David, 68 — chronic lower back pain
At 74 I'd given up on being physically active. My arthritis made most movement painful. Within a month my GP commented on how much better I was moving. I feel stronger than I did at 60.
Frances, 74 — osteoarthritis & hip pain
I started John's class at 68 with two bad knees and zero experience. Within six weeks my balance had improved so much my daughter noticed before I did. I've now been coming for two years. Best decision I've made.
Margaret, 68 — Wednesday Nuffield class, Edinburgh
Start Your Own
Transformation
After 28 years of helping people rediscover the joy of pain-free movement, I know this: your body has an amazing capacity to heal and improve, regardless of your age or current condition. You just need the right approach — one that honours where you are now while gently guiding you toward where you want to be.
Join me for a free first class — in person at one of our Edinburgh venues or live on Zoom — and experience firsthand how LFA Tai Chi can help you feel younger, stronger, and more balanced.
Or visit the full class schedule to find the day and time that suits you best.