More than a form
The slow sequence is a container for learning to stay connected, responsive and settled as movement becomes more complex.
Heaven Man Earth Internal Arts
T’ai Chi in Linlithgow
Traditional Yang style T’ai Chi (Taijiquan), taught through a clear, progressive syllabus—developing awareness, balance and genuine internal skill.
The art
Awareness in movement
T’ai Chi, or Taijiquan, is an internal martial art centred on deepening awareness of the body and gaining control over movement—our own and that of others.
The martial art comes first. Improvements in balance, coordination, awareness and the ability to release everyday tension can follow from training the art properly, but they are not separated from its martial purpose.
Classes follow the Heaven Man Earth method: a structured approach that builds from foundational standing and Qigong into form, partner work and martial application.
Structure first
Training begins with where the weight sits, how the joints align and what the spine is doing before choreography is added.
Release, not collapse
Sōng 鬆 means releasing the tension that fights good structure while allowing the structure itself to remain.
Tested together
Partner work develops listening and sensitivity, revealing whether the principles remain when another person applies pressure.
Weekly class
T’ai Chi classes in Linlithgow
A mixed-experience class covering all aspects of T’ai Chi. Complete beginners are welcome.
Day
Sunday
Time
10:00–11:30
Venue
EH49 Hub
6–7 The Vennel, Linlithgow
The EH49 Hub is in central Linlithgow, a few minutes from the station and easily reached from Edinburgh, Falkirk and Stirling. New students can arrive five or ten minutes early, say hello and begin with standing and a few basic movements.
The syllabus
A complete path of practice
Standing
Build structure, release excess tension and develop whole-body awareness.
Loosening
Repeated movements develop release without collapse and begin to change habitual body mechanics.
Qigong
Open the joints and coordinate attention, breath and movement through basic skill exercises.
Hand form
Learn the 37-posture form in sections, with the purpose of each movement explained alongside its shape.
Push hands
Test structure, listening and sensitivity with a partner who is not simply following the form.
Application
Test whether connection, structure and release remain available when the pressure increases.
The stages are taught in order, but none is completed and left behind. Standing and loosening begin in the first session; form, partner work and application deepen as the underlying structure develops.
Your teacher
Ian Burgess
Ian’s background in external martial arts, meditation and Daoist philosophy brought him to the internal styles in the 1990s. First-hand experience of the martial side of T’ai Chi transformed his understanding of the body’s mechanics.
T’ai Chi became a core personal practice—improving physical balance, body awareness and the ability to recognise and release everyday tension. In the Heaven Man Earth school he found a structured, gradual approach aligned with the T’ai Chi classics.
Heaven Man Earth
Founded by Sifu Adam Mizner, the school encompasses the traditions of Huang Sheng Shyan and Yang Shao Hou.
See the practice
T’ai Chi in motion
A short introduction to the qualities and movement explored through HME training.
Start a conversation
Interested in training?
Follow HME Edinburgh on Instagram or send Ian a message through Facebook to ask about the Linlithgow class.