The team at Pure Kombucha Limited, based in Basildon, are experts in using natural ingredients and traditional processes to create their nutritional, energy-boosting kombucha drink, gaining fans across the county since 2017. Founder, Paul Sherring, has since made it his mission to further support the community’s physical and mental wellness, regardless of barriers, using traditional methods. To do this, he’s been teaching the art of Pai-Da Gong.
Pai-Da Gong is a Chinese thousand-year old martial art practise that is taught and learned to help improve body health. Similar to the more known Chinese practice and slow movement, Qi Gong, which incorporates aspects of movement, meditation and controlled breathing, Pai-Da Gong is simple to learn, can be practised anywhere and can provide immediate benefits.
With our Find Your Active fund, we were able to support Paul and the gang at Pure Kombucha with tools to help spread the word about Pai-Da Gong. Calling on the support of their Kombucha customers, the free-to-attend sessions, which involved gentle but consistent exercises and movements using a tool, gained in popularity and encouraged more people to try out the classes through word of mouth. Paul said: “Eventually, the immediate energy and health benefits the participants experienced became the motivation to introduce more friends and family to join. Even they don’t come to every class, because it is so easy to do at home, but they still want to participate when they have time as a group.”
So, what is it about Pai-Da Gong that has our Basildon residents raving? Paul says: “It’s very easy to learn and get immediate results to help circulation, enhance Qi, and boost energy. This exercise can be done once learned anywhere with a tool to create free body energy. It takes about 20 minutes to do it properly, or it can be separated into small sessions every day.” According to Paul, there are almost no barriers to taking part in this activity.
Part of the Pai-Da Gong ethos and experience is to help people who may find activity difficult to find a gentle and consistent way of regaining strength and movement, to lead happier, more active lives. Paul said he wants to help others achieve a healthy lifestyle. He commented: “I’m excited to share this effective way with other people who are in need, especially for many people who may think physical activity is hard to do on a regular basis. I want to get more people to participate in an indoor venue, or in a few venues, and to help people of all abilities become more active.”
Regular participants of the group, aged between 40 and 87, have seen benefits since taking part and learning the art. One participant said: “I’ve noticed a big difference in my health,” and another agreed by saying: “It regenerates me.” After using the practice to help himself overcome physical pain and struggle, Paul is pleased to see it helping others, too. He said: “This project has made a big impact on participants to believe in what they can achieve in an easy way, and to be excited to be active again, even after years of illness or in pain.”
If you are interested in taking part in Pure Kombucha’s Pai-Da Gong sessions, you can check out Pure Kombucha Limited’s website for more details. And to find out if there are similar activities in your area, check out our Find Your Active campaign on the Active Essex website here.
