Using slow movement to increase your health and energy

Talking Sport with Stephen Glennon

Every martial art – from karate to capoeira to muay thai – has a certain appeal to those interested in pursuing them and, yet, the most popular, Tai Chi, which is regarded as a gentler form of this activity, does not seem to enjoy the same high profile as its counterparts in the western world.

In many respects, Tai Chi has been overshadowed – or at least lost in translation – by the rise to prominence of the more explosive martial art sports, which, arguably, coincided with their introduction into Hollywood action movies in the 1970s and ’80s.

Since then, these forms of self defence have established a firm foothold in the Irish fitness industry and the West of Ireland has proven to be no exception. Indeed, today, Galway is home to the likes of karate, kickboxing, judo, Taekwondo and even Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

One of the longest running martial art schools, though, has been Niall O’Floinn’s Galway Tai Chi Academy, which he set up 17 years ago and is primarily based in Galway Rowing Club in Woodquay in Galway City, although other venues are used. That it has been on the go for nearly two decades – and continues to grow – certainly bears testament to its success.

In any event, the Academy returned this week for a new term and 37-years-old instructor O’Floinn, a Clonmel native who moved to Galway 20 years ago, is enthusiastic as ever about the sport, particularly as he, along with three-time national Chinese champion Master Wang Hai Jun, recently returned from China where he led an Irish team to three silver and three bronze medals.

It was the first time ever for an Irish team to compete in a Tai Chi event, and to come back from the largest international Tai Chi competition, which took place in Jiaozuo City in the Henan province, with medals represented a massive achievement.

What’s more, two of the medal winners hailed from Galway Tai Chi Academy, with Keith Ryan claiming two silver and Maureen Rabbitte securing two bronze. In all, the Irish team was made up of 10 competitors, including the other medal winner, John Hayes from Ennis, who won a silver and bronze.

Interestingly, O’Floinn confesses that competitions previously held no appeal to him – mainly because he was only concerned with the ‘gong fu’ or skill aspect of the sport – but following a discussion from his own teacher, Master Wang Hai Jun, he was persuaded to prepare a team for competition.

“He thought, because I teach internationally as well – in Brazil, Italy, Spain and Argentina – that it would be good for my profile,” says O’Floinn. “A lot of people when they take a class with you know you are good but they also want to know what you have achieved.”

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.