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93 Educators providing Other courses in Snodland

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

sir joseph williamson's mathematical school

Rochester

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School was founded in 1701 in accordance with the last will and testament of Sir Joseph Williamson, who bequeathed five thousand pounds “towards the building and carrying on and perpetual maintaining of a free school at Rochester for the instructing and educating of such youth there who were or should be the sons of freemen these towards the Mathematics and all other things which fit and encourage them for the sea service and arts and callings leading and relating thereto”. Sir Joseph Williamson served as a leading politician and diplomat during the reign of King Charles II. He was first elected as MP for Rochester in 1690 and held various offices (including Secretary of State aged 41) until his retirement in 1699 when he settled to live at Cobham Hall. At one time he was President of the Royal Society, Keeper of the King’s Library at Whitehall and Editor of the Oxford Gazette. He receives mention in the diaries of Samuel Pepys. Williamson’s life and work is not without controversy. He was an investor and administrator in the Royal African Company, a trading company set up in 1660 and led by the Duke of York (future King James II). This company held the monopoly of the English slave trade from Africa to the West Indies. Professor William Pettigrew from Lancaster University, in his book ‘Freedom’s Debt: The Royal African Company and the Politics of the Atlantic Slave Trade, 1672-1752’ (2016) writes that the Company ‘shipped more enslaved African women, men and children to the Americas than any other single institution during the entire period of the transatlantic slave trade’.

Taiji & Qigong (London & Kent)

taiji & qigong (london & kent)

Tai Chi is both an exercise for improving and maintaining good health, as well as a martial art designed for self-defence. It is also often spoken about as a form of ‘meditation in motion’ or ‘meditation in movement’ as it promotes a sense of inner peace and tranquillity.  Whether you refer to it as ‘T’ai Chi’ (the Wade Giles method of Romanising words), or ‘Taiji’ (the Pinyin or modern way), it is short for ‘T’ai Chi Ch’uan’ or Taijiquan, which both can be translated as ‘Supreme Ultimate Fist’.  Tai Chi is a popular form of exercise for people of all ages and abilities, offering a wide range of physical, mental and emotional benefits to those who practice it. There is a range of Tai Chi benefits to enjoy, whatever your age.      Depending to a certain extent on the type of Tai Chi being practiced, it is considered very safe for people of all ages, as it exercises joints and muscles without placing too much stress on them.   Therefore, this also makes Tai Chi an ideal form of exercise for people with either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, as well as offering a wide range of other benefits: Relief of stress, anxiety, tension and depression, increased levels of relaxation, calmness and confidence, gently improved muscle tone, co-ordination, balance and good posture.   Research also suggests Tai Chi reduces falls in the elderly Tai Chi is effectively having your own personal gym without needing any equipment (unless you’re learning movements with weapons), and you can practice it either in groups or on your own.  There is a range of Tai Chi styles to suit your needs.  Whilst Tai Chi is often talked about as being an ancient martial art, it first appeared in records from the 1700s onwards.  Whilst there are many different family styles, there are five major styles practiced throughout China and the West: Chen style, Yang style, Wu-Hao style, Wu style, Sun style to name but a few.  At Taiji and Qigong, we teach a wide variety of Tai Chi forms, as well as Pushing Hands, Da Lu, Applications of the Forms, and Fa-Jing techniques.   If you’re interested in taking Tai Chi classes in London or Kent, take a look at our Classes & Prices to find what you’re looking for.