I have been practicing Tai Chi Chuan since 1999, starting in North Wales with Shon Devy a student of Richard Farmer. Around that time I also studied Shoalin Kung Fu. Whilst I am not part of any traditional linage, I have had the opportunity over the years to learn from a number of respected international teachers including Mario Napoli, Paul Silfverstale, Sam Masich, Gianfranco Pace and Faye Yip. With Ken Van Sickle I have studied tai chi fencing. Ken studied with Cheng Manching. I have also studied with students of grandmaster William C. C. Chen who was also a direct student of Cheng Manching. I also practice Sun Style Tai Chi and Baguazhang, an Internal Kung Fu similar to Tai Chi as well as being familiar with QiGong . Since 2007 I have been a registered instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain.
The form I teach is commonly seen in the UK, and is described as Cheng Manching's Short Form, although it has the reintroduction of needles at sea bottom - fan through back - turn body to chop from the original Yang style long form. This was done by John Kells and Chi Chiang Tao in a reconciliatory move with Yang Shou Chung, then head of the Yang family. Thus this form is also described as a "Yang Style" short form. Dr Chi Chiang Tao was a senior student of Cheng Manching in Taiwan and taught John Kells and Richard Farmer. Cheng Manching later taught in New York from where his teaching also lives on, with William C. C. Chen amongst others.
I have attempted to learn and practice Tai Chi Chuan as a practical martial art. Furthermore I have experience how it functions as a real and potentially demanding physical exercise.
See also
The benefits of Tai Chi
What is Ting Jing...
Tai Chi as an Exercise for Strength ...
Tai Chi Martial Applications...
Mindfulness and Tai Chi...
Tai Chi Sword...
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