I have been delighted with the yoga classes. Having been diagnosed with hypertension in my mid-fifties I decided to try
yoga and signed up for 5 weeks. That was over 6 years ago and it has altered my outlook on life both physically and mentally. Unlike another class I once attended, (very
briefly), your calm and encouraging teaching benefits all of us. I can honestly say that I feel healthier now than I did 10 years ago. Thank you.
B. D.
Seven Stars Tai Chi is an incredible school run with dedication and thought to the structure of students of all
ages and abilities.
Headed by Sifu Andy Cullen this is one of a select "real deal ' schools in the UK
Thank you for all your guidance and tuition over the Years
J. L. – Reflexologist
Seven stars yoga and tai chi has enabled me to forget about the problems and worries I have on an everyday basis for an
hour a week. It allows me to become more focused on today and less on tomorrow; keeping my stress and self expectation to a minimum. This has enhanced role as a mum, wife and friend for which I
am massively grateful.
V. P.
I have trained with Seven Stars Yoga for many years in London. It was a great experience and drastically improved my
well being on a daily basis. I even trained to become an instructor and training under Andy Cullen is both a pleasure and a privilege. I feel blessed I had his teachings which stay with me to this
day. There were also some great Yoga retreats in Spain and that was so much fun too. I am always recommending friends to train with Andy and his team.
M.
I have trained with Andy at Seven Stars Internal Arts since 1996. I started Tai Chi by
accident, without any expectations (so I don’t think it’s placebo!). At the time, I was doing medical research, shy and bullied by my boss. I had collapsed arches since infancy, and more recently
knee and back pain. At first, Tai Chi gave me an awareness and understanding of posture, and tools to correct it, which I carry on using in everyday life to this date. With (a bit of) hard work, I
now have a perfect straight gait and no pain; all from doing fun, beautiful, flowing moves! But beyond the physical, my emotional well-being drastically improved. The two man work, and being allowed
to teach in class increased my confidence, allowed me to rebuild my boundaries, based on inner strength and breath, softness and flexibility, rather than defensiveness. Hard lesson to learn. The best
thing is that these principles, which we practiced physically in class, are completely transferable to everyday life. Without conscious mental effort, I started to transform the way I connected with
people and myself. No more shy and bullied, I really think Andy’s Tai Chi teaching eventually made me a better manager, gave tools to live a calmer happier life. I eventually retrained as an
acupuncturist, and I am passing on the teaching to my patients with mental health issues. They now comment how useful these tools are. So from my own perspective, Tai Chi with Andy has been a truly
transformative experience on all levels. Time to say thank you!
J. P. - - Psychological Practitioner (NHS)
There is so much evidence out there to highlight the benefits yoga can have on health and
wellbeing. I often recommend Yoga to my clients as a way to ease muscle tension, improve breathing technique and to encourage present-moment focus. For me, attending the classes has been a great way
to switch off from the stresses of the day and to maintain a healthy posture after a week behind a desk.
M. V.
I started learning Tai Chi with Andy in 1997. Since the very first class I knew this was
the kind of training I had been waiting for, and it was with great joy that I started a regular practice. I trained with Andy for more than 6 years, going through a truly transformative process. My
body gained strength, flexibility, and the ability to move gracefully and powerfully. I learned how to become grounded and make good contact with the earth. Andy taught me how to develop body
awareness and the capacity of focusing on the breath and the sensations. I could learn how to breathe properly and feel the life force, the chi, flowing through my body. I also learned how to sit in
silence and observe my mind, starting a meditation practice that is still active today. The martial arts applications of Tai Chi gave me confidence and an understanding on how to resolve conflict
without unnecessary force. I learned discipline and discovered the benefits of developing a daily practice. This practice helped me to become happier and healthier, able to enjoy life with increased
vitality and optimism. It was also a heart opening process for the students, while training together we became good friends and had a great time going out after the class. I am inmensely grateful to
Andy for his dedication to theteaching of this art, it was truly a blessing having the chance to be one of his students.
K. B.
"Tai Chi came into my life at a crucial time. A spinal injury was slowing taking over my drive and self confidence.
After my surgery I believe that the classes and Andy's teachings played a large role in my full recovery, both physically and mentally. My consultant backed that by saying she hadn't seen someone
recover and gain the posture and strength as quickly as I did. She said she would recommend Tai Chi to her future patients.
Today I enjoy Tai Chi at a new level and couldn't imagine my life without it. As a Sport and Remedial Massage Therapist
I almost weekly recommend Andy's Tai Chi and Yoga classes to my clients as the practices will undoubtedly help them with their flexibility, posture and self awareness."
T. B.
When I started classes at the Seven Stars Yoga & Tai Chi school I was on dialysis for chronic renal failure. I
found the classes gave me some much needed inner peace and the strength to cope with my health problems both physically and mentally.
As a retired nurse I am well aware that conventional medicine is only part of a patients recovery and reducing stress
levels and encouraging a positive attitude is also extremely important. After my kidney transplant it has helped, amongst other things, to improve my level of fitness, my sense of well being and
has aided in boosting my immune system.
On a more general note at the age of 66 I find it helps with my balance which will hopefully reduce the risk of falls
as I age, it keeps my mind and body active and the social interaction with my fellow students plays an important part in my mental well being.
In conclusion I am convinced that tai chi & yoga has made a positive impact on my life but perhaps most importantly
it is very enjoyable & great fun!
G. D.
I started doing yoga with Andy in April 2013. I was advised by my doctor to find a local yoga group as I have been
diagnosed with chronic stress and all though on medication for this she felt a form of meditation would help me to switch off. Since attending Andy’s classes my stress levels have improved a great
deal. Friends, family and work colleagues have all commented and I believe myself without the help of Andy and his classes my stress would have been out of control. From my 1st class I was made to
feel at ease and was confident enough to go alone (something I never would of done b4) I have now made an extra group of friends and I look forward to attending every week.
Andy feel free to use from this what you want.... Thank you yoga has helped improve my life 100%
R. H.
I attended the Seven Stars yoga and tai chi classes for over three years during which time I was able to learn how to
stretch and keep flexible, skills I still practice on my own and which have contributed to maintaining a healthy and relatively pain free lower back. before I started practising yoga I was suffering
periods of intense pain and at times couldn't walk easily. While I still suffer some discomfort the techniques I have learnt from Seven Star classes help me keep active and mobile. In addition I have
been diagnosed as ADHD and I find that the meditation techniques taught by Seven Stars along with the tai chi practices have taught me to relax and focus my attention in ways I never dreamt possible.
Not only have I now come off my medication but I am practising these techniques on a daily basis. I am currently living in China but when I return I hope to rejoin the school and learn more tai chi
and yoga.
J. B.
Seven Stars Yoga and Tai Chi School is an amazing place to learn not only about Yoga and Tai Chi but also about
yourself.
I suffer from depression and both classes are very helpful to me.
Also I have no left hand, not that that matters, Andy (teacher) is always there if you need help.
J. B.
After some fairly major disasters in my personal life a few years ago, it became time to improve life again and try
something I'd wanted to do for a while, so I looked for a local yoga class to join.
It was great to hear a friendly voice on the phone and hear that anyone of any level of fitness could join and
beginners were always especially welcome, so I gave it a go and can honestly say it’s the best thing I've done.
I started to feel physically better from the beginning, discovering I could do more than I thought and improved quickly
with regular practice. I've become physically stronger and fitter, learnt about calming the mind to help with stress, and to be more positive. The social life is great too and through the regular
events organised, I've met some wonderful people and made some friends for life.
The instructors are fantastic and very welcoming - it's amazing to never stop learning and improving and it's great
that I can now help beginners too.
These classes are a major positive in my life and have been invaluable in improving my mental and physical well being.
They saved me from a trip to the doctors for anti depressants and I can't recommend them highly enough.
L. R.
I started yoga two and a half years ago because I was suffering from lower back pain. I went to my doctor and he gave
me some stretches to do to ease the pain. My friend told me that these stretches were involved in yoga so I thought that I would give it a go. I also have a stressful job as a teacher so I thought
that it might help me to relax. My back pain has improved considerably since I started yoga and I feel healthier and have more energy. It helps me to switch off from work and to meet new people. The
quality of the teaching is excellent and the atmosphere is safe and supportive. I really enjoy the classes and feel that it is extremely beneficial to my mental and physical well-being. I would
highly recommend to the classes to anyone.
S. F.
I have found every class enjoyable and beneficial. It was amazing to start as a new anonymous student and I am so
grateful to train as an instructor. I hope when I teach students can also find their own strength and peace through relaxation as I learnt at Seven Stars. It has been great seeing other students
develop through their practice of yoga and tai chi, make new friends and learn techniques that are helpful for finding calmness among everyday stressful situations.
Including yoga practice as part of my daily routine was incredibly helpful for overcoming a dependence on anti
depression and sleeping medication. By being willing to learn and practice continuously without expectations has helped me live more freely and comfortably within myself.
M. M.
I had the privilege of being taught by Andy Cullen at the tender age of seventeen, I was young and impressionable and
despite being of East Asian descent, there was much to be learnt from this master. A combination of Andy's deep felt spirituality, down to earth humble honesty and his sheer skill in communicating
and presenting the innate power within all of us to open our minds to something more deep, more fundamental and altogether more engaging than the material world we subsist in, left a lasting
impression that is simply unforgettable. I will never forget how fortunate I was to be able to learn the triple burner, to be able to 'shut off the chattering monkey' and to simply live to appreciate
my mind and being at 'one'. Of course, this was some time ago now and my being in my mid thirties and having left the life benefits of such a powerful movement as tai-chi c'huan leaves much to be
desired for. I have recently been in touch with Andy in search of more classes in East London since my soul of late, cries out for tai chi.,,,,,
M. C.
I have been doing tai chi now for more than a year and my health and well being has improved immensely.I had arthritis
in my hands,knees and shoulders.Although it still remains it is less painful and my mobility is much improved.I also was stressed a lot of times but the breathing exercises I have learnt has almost
rid me of stress and taught me to control it.
I would recommend tai-chi to anyone and believe it should be recognised as beneficial to everyone. I am 65 years of
age
G. V.
I took Tai Chi lessons in 2010 a couple of months after having a Hip Operation and for
over a year I continued and gained alot of benefit from the experience both mentally and physically. I am sure it helped me recover quicker than otherwise post op and found that my balance and
co-ordination was much better from the exercises. It helped me be positive and relaxed as well as taking my mind off the everyday problems that everyone has to deal with. I think these courses would
really be a fantastic method of helping people get back to good health quicker after dealing with an operation as it did with me.
J. R.
The NHS states that "Whatever your age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help you
lead a healthier and even happier life".
The problem is that people need to do the exercise and stick with it for it to work, of course.
I had that problem myself, never finding the time to use the free weights I had because I found it
boring.
I solved that problem by going to Seven Stars Yoga, which provides me with an exercise that I truly enjoy and thus
actually practice regularly and frequently.
It also has a social side benefit in that the relaxed ambiance of the classes and the wide variety of backgrounds of
the attendants means that I get to meet people that I wouldn't have met otherwise, and developed friendships from it.
P, N.
I've been attending classes at the Seven Stars Yoga and Tai Chi school for just over 3 years. For me, the meditative
techniques taught by the school have been useful in dealing with work related stress.The practice of Tai Chi has helped me improve my balance and through Yoga I've noticed my flexibility, strength
and stamina improving.
P. C. - Chiropodist
Tai chi and yoga has helped promote my health to a better place; in particular my balance and mobility. I
recommend tai chi to everyone as is beneficial both physically and mentally!
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