Real tai chi - low impact, gentle exercise - shallow, warm water - professional, friendly instructors.  Lighthouse Aqua Tai Chi ® is a copyrighted programme created by fully qualified tai chi and aqua exercise instructors David Pelling and Helena Kean.

The programme was initiated after working with seated tai chi classes for falls prevention and realizing that the sessions were not as effective as aqua based classes. It was also observed in general aqua mobility classes, that some people were not fully participating. After 2 years of further development and personal research, Lighthouse Aqua Tai Chi ® was offered a trial by Clive Escreet and Pendle Leisure Trust. There are currently three successful weekly classes for Bury and Rossendale Leisure as a result.

Aqua exercise has a reduced risk of injury, due to the nature of the medium and Tai Chi is a slow, mindful and relaxed exercise, further reducing the potential for injury whilst participating in the class. It provides cardiovascular training by gently increasing the pulse and breathing rate. It also strengthens and tones muscles, as the resistance of the water allows opposing muscle groups to be worked in each movement: water is 12 times more resistant than air.

Over the last 18 months, Helena and David have observed beneficial outcomes for people with a variety of conditions, including: knee & hip problems and joint replacement, back injuries, poor balance and falling, head injuries and recovery from RTAs, MS, Parkinsons, obesity, depression and insomnia. Some gains have been considerable and some have been marginal and incremental within an extensive care and rehabilitation programme; all have improved the quality of life and sense of well-being for those taking part.

Helena and David are insured as full members of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, with many years experience of instructing exercise, martial arts and tai chi.  They are both volunteers for East Lancs Health Champions Project, have first aid qualifications, training in postural anatomy awareness and are enhanced CRB checked. Helena has 7307 Adult Education Certificate and David has BTEC National Coaching Certificate. David also has qualifications relating to care work with dementia, autism, diabetes and disability.