Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
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Hope to see you in the next tai chi class 🙂
Book Your Class
At White Crane Academy, we offer a structured yet accessible syllabus designed to guide students from the very beginning of their Tai Chi and Qigong journey through to more advanced practice.
New students start by learning a foundational Qigong sequence, Eight Pieces of Brocade, which helps to improve coordination, flexibility, balance, and gentle strength. Regular practice also supports relaxation, stress reduction, and greater body awareness, making it an ideal introduction to internal training.
From there, students progress to a short 10-move beginner Tai Chi sequence, carefully designed to introduce the essential principles of Tai Chi in a clear, approachable way.
As confidence and understanding grow, students are gradually introduced to longer Tai Chi forms drawn from the White Crane, Chen, and Yang traditions. These forms deepen internal coordination, structure, and flow, while building strength, resilience, and long-term skill.
For those who wish to continue beyond the basic level, the syllabus offers ongoing progression into more demanding and refined forms over time. Alongside form practice, classes may also include Qigong, meditation, gentle stretching, and push-hands, helping students develop both health and internal martial skills at a pace that feels sustainable.
Our teaching emphasises consistency over intensity, encouraging steady progress, injury resilience, and enjoyment of the practice — whether your focus is health, mindfulness, movement quality, or deeper exploration of Tai Chi as a traditional internal martial art.
Give it a Try
If all of that sounds a bit overwhelming for now… don’t worry, the benefits of Tai chi are pretty much the same, whatever class(es) you decide to join, and you will always be taught with patience, respect, and a good dose of humour.
The best thing to do is to give a class a try!
At White Crane Academy, we always ensure that new students are made to feel welcome. We understand that starting a Tai Chi class can sometimes feel rather daunting, especially as a complete beginner but what you should always keep in mind is that the whole class, including your instructor, was a beginner once, so everyone knows how you will be feeling.
You can join classes in both the Haywards Heath and Horsham areas. Click here to view the full timetable of classes.
Call Mark on 07834 375776 or email mark.stevenson@whitecraneacademy.com for more details
Tai Chi App
Many students also subscribe to Tai Chi App to help them remember what they have learnt in class. The app features videos, courses, and follow along lessons that are designed to help you with your practice at home. White Crane Academy students receive a 25% discount. Speak to your instructor for more details.
Not just for the kids!
I’ve been training with Mark for almost 3 years now, starting off with kung fu and then joining his tai chi classes too. Being a slightly older female new to martial arts I was reassured to find all Mark’s classes very friendly and supportive, with a mix of ages and abilities. Attending regularly, it didn’t take me long to notice improvements in both my strength and flexibility. Alongside the physical fitness aspect, my brain is also getting a good workout from memorising tai chi and kung fu forms. Taking up martial arts to gain confidence, focus and skill is not just for the kids, but perfectly valid and doable for people of all ages, and I’m forever grateful that I took that first step of contacting Mark and turning up for my first taster class – I’ve been hooked ever since.
Best decision ever……
I was recovering from a long illness and desperate to get back into keeping fit. I had read Tai Chi could help me recover. If by luck Mark Stevenson was starting a new local weekly Tai Chi class. That was over 10 years ago and i have achieved more than I thought possible. Mark’s passion and energy for Tai Chi is infectious that you cannot help but enjoy every class and come out feeling full of energy too. I have fully recovered thanks to Mark’s dedication to Tai Chi and this year even find myself joining Mark and fellow Tai Chi students to China, beyond my wildest dreams 10 years ago.Best decision ever I
made to join Mark’s Tai Chi class.
Highly recommended
I’ve been attending Saturday Tai Chi classes since last summer. The classes are warm and inclusive and enable me, someone who often feels uneasy in groups, to feel comfortable and supported. Mark is clearly an expert and experienced teacher, and this manifests in his patient and steady teaching. I particularly like the blend of warm-up, Qigong, and forms practice that compose the average class. If you are thinking of Tai Chi and looking for a place to practise and learn, I heartily recommend White Crane Academy.
More than just a teacher!
Mark has taught my kids kung fu, kickboxing and sparring for many years now. I can honestly say he has played a major part in their formation, teaching them discipline, persistence, respect and the joy of a fit body. More recently I have started tai chi classes, after a break of many years, which brings me huge joy.
Mark is accomplished as a practitioner and teacher – he clearly lives his art. But on top of that, he really holds his community with his reliable, trustworthy and generous presence. During lockdown he offered free online classes, teaching Mandarin to the kids. i was very touched by this, it was above and beyond what anyone expected and I remain grateful to this day.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Mark as a teacher, and as a generally good egg to have in your’s and your kids’ lives.
Patience, Encouragement and always a ‘good listener’
I first met Mark some 11 years ago when I had recently been given the news, after a few years of tests etc, that I had a long term neurological disease. I felt relieved when told, which may seem strange, but I was beginning to think I was imagining things and going crazy. All this had knocked my confidence in many ways and I had become very insular. I started a one to one ‘back to fitness’ course with Mark which then gradually became one to one Tai Chi, followed by joining classes, most of which went well. (I still can’t handle that fan it always ends up biting me). Well I am still having classes with Mark and in all this time he has never bcome impatient with me, always encouraged and sometimes stretched me that I now say ‘I can do this and I will do this’. On top of this he is a great listener.
Excellent Tuition and Knowledge
Mark is an excellent teacher of several Tai Chi forms, qi gong and Strength, Mobility and breathe work. His knowhow and patience in teaching the accurate forms in tai chi produces great results. The classes are friendly and inclusive. It’s a great way to increase body awareness and mindfulness, as well as helping your brain remember the form. Totally recommend.
great classes.
Been attending the Saturday Tai Chi class for about a year. Have seen much improved flexibility and balance as a result. Good banter in the class, good class size, very friendly.
Mark, and others, always willing to help and coach.
Have tried to learn Tai Chi several times in the past, this is the only one I have really progressed in and wanted to learn more
Thoroughly enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.
🙂
All the benefits have made me so much stronger mentally and physically.
I have been learning the White Crane Tai Chi form with Mark for just over a year. During that time my health has improved in a number of ways, which has been a very pleasant surprise. I try to attend three classes a week and really enjoy the Qigong as well as the Tai Chi.
Before starting the classes I had problems with my left knee, it just did not move properly and there was constant pain – all better now! My sense of balance has improved so much and I’ve also lost two inches off my waist!
The most wonderful thing is that the tinnitus which I have had for about twenty years has calmed down so much that I am hardly aware of it.
All the benefits have made me so much stronger mentally and physically. I look forward to improving my under standing of this art of Tai Chi.
I would recommend his classes
On the advice of my doctor because of balance problems I joined Mark’s Tai Chi classes. I was quite nervous at first not knowing what to expect but I can honestly say I have not looked back. Mark is an excellent teacher. My balance has improved and I look forward to each lesson. I would recommend his classes.
Classes are relaxed and very friendly
Eighteen months ago I had my first ‘back to fitness’ session with Mark and appreciate everything he has done for me. I have a long term degenerative problem which affects my balance, concentration and thought process all of which has improved greatly since starting Tai Chi, Quigong and a general fitness programme with Mark. The classes are relaxed and very friendly. I definitely would recommend giving them a try.