Taking the middle path with Chester Tai Chi teacher

Feb 11 2010 by Gil Lightfoot, Chester Chronicle

Taking the middle path with Chester Tai Chi teacher

WHEN it comes to health, Peter Newton believes in aiming straight for the middle.

The Tai Chi Sifu, or teacher, has researched ancient wisdom and now teaches a specialist therapy called Middle Path Tai Chi which he believes is beneficial to people suffering from a wide range of ailments.

“What I teach is the original meaning of the art,” said Peter. “I discovered it while I was doing research for the book I have written about Tai Chi. I knew there was something in the art that was calling out to me. My research led me back to 1200AD when a group in China studied the middle path philosopy. I started to recognise the hidden meaning of Tai Chi. It was a real Eureka moment. The words ‘Middle Path’ were what I had been searching for.”

Peter, now known as ‘The Health Whisperer’, has been teaching Tai Ch since 1994. He says that working on the core posture can have a surprising effect on people’s health. “Improving core posture, using my method, can have an incredible impact on health. The reason it has taken off so well is because it has an immediate effect. It goes straight to the core and people see immediate benefits.”

Peter says he has helped people with a range of illnesses from arthritis and rheumatism to circulation problems.

“This therapy helps people to cope with their symptoms and helps them deal with the side effects of their conditions. It tunes into the body’s own healing system by going to the core itself.”

Peter, of Penrhyn Bay, teaches at the United Reformed Church hall in Handbridge, Chester, Total Fitness in Chester and Thornton Hall and Craxton Wood health clubs in Wirral.

He also works with heart patients at the Flintshire Cardiac Rehab Unit and mental health patients in Mold.

Peter says that his methods are now accepted by the medical profession and he is called on to help North Wales police and fire service staff with health problems such as stress and back pain.

Peter says his own health problems were alleviated when he started attending Tai Chi classes.

“When I look back I realise that my posture was poor,” he said. “Within two years my rheumatism had gone and my circulation had improved.

“My Middle Path therapy teaches people how to move their bodies naturally so lymphatic, circulatory and respiratory systems all function naturally.”

Now Peter, a senior national coach and the honorary vice-president of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britainis going to run his first ‘Health Whisperer’ weekend retreat in August in conjunction with a holiday firm.

For further details visit www.chinabridgetaichi.co.uk