Feature: Tai Chi – the Ancient Chinese Art That Can Help Us Live Healthier Lives

Published on: 8 Nov, 2026
Updated on: 8 Nov, 2026

Tai chi instructor Alla Bennett lives in Ash and teaches classes at various Surrey locations including Ash Vale Scout HQ

By David Reading

Tai chi experts have known for centuries that regular practice of this ancient Chinese art – with its graceful, flowing movements – can help provide the practitioner with more energy and flexibility, better balance and a sense of well-being.

Today many westerners are finding this out for themselves. Here in Surrey, a tai chi teacher living in Ash, Alla Bennett, is bringing the benefits of tai chi to local people. And she says there are rewards beyond good physical health.

Alla teaches Chen style, the oldest form of tai chi originating in the 17th century in the rural village of Chenjiagou in Henan Province, China.

Chen Tai Chi alternates between slow, flowing movements and sudden, explosive bursts of power.

“These explosive movements not generated by physical force, they come from a feeling within the body, especially the sense of relaxation,” she says. “While the graceful flowing movements of tai chi are important, a lot of time is spent in class helping students to feel tai chi and understand the principles from within.”

Alla adds: “There are also benefits beyond the physical. Tai chi is very humbling, very levelling. It doesn’t matter if you have millions in your bank or nothing, you still have to go through the same process. It’s amazing now it unites people of different backgrounds, different nationalities, different cultures, different religions.”

Alla, who is 52, was born in Russia and has been living in Ash for the past 14 years. She lives with her partner and two sporty dogs, a lurcher and a greyhound.

She spent many years in corporate jobs, particularly in marketing technology, before making the decision this year to fully focus on her tai chi and wellbeing coaching.

What are the physical benefits that people are looking for?

Alla says: “The answer depends on the needs of the individual student. When someone joins the class, I always try to find out what they are looking for. A lot come for stress reduction and we know tai chi is good for that because its slows down the body, and slows down the brain.

“Certainly a lot of younger people take up tai chi for stress reduction. They say ‘I can’t stop thinking, my thoughts are racing’ – that is their main concern. Tai chi can help in this respect.

“Older people would like to improve their balance, and good balance can certainly be a consequence of training. Balance improves because of weight transfer during the movements, improved co-ordination and improved agility.”

Further benefits can include stronger legs – which is associated with better heart health, says Alla – and a lowering of blood pressure, which has been demonstrated by medical studies.

It was while working in a busy corporate environment that Alla first taught tai chi to her own colleagues. She knows first-hand what a working day asks of people’s bodies and minds.

Her local classes include:

A class for beginners and more experienced students at 1st Ash Vale Scout HQ on Friday mornings.

A beginner’s class at Farnham Leisure Centre on Wednesday afternoons.

At Church Crookham Community Centre, a dedicated beginners’ class on Thursday evenings and a mixed-abilities class on Monday evenings.

Find out more:

https://www.revivetaichi.co.uk/