LONDON, March 5 (UPI) -- An English rector evicted a tai chi class from his church hall after deciding the exercise routines were not compatible with Christianity, authorities said.

The Rev. Jonathan Frais of St. Marks Church in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, served the class, led by Richard Odell, with less than a month's notice, The Daily Telegraph reported Friday.


"Tai chi is a practice from the Taoist religion. Although the relaxation techniques are not teaching a different religion, it advocates practices that come from a different faith," Frais said.

"It got to the point where it struck me as inappropriate on Christian premises for an expression of another religion to be hosted."

Odell called Frais' decision "ridiculous."

"We have been here for quite a few years. It's insulting and effectively saying the church is now not prepared to tolerate our presence."

Student Jean Mills was a regular class attendee.

"Our classes focus on the health benefits of deep breathing and slow exercise. We all consider ourselves Christians with several of us regular churchgoers," she said.

"For almost four years I have attended tai chi lessons and from the onset Mr. Odell made it clear to us that he did not teach a religion."