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Wuji Taiji.com

Tai Chi classes and courses
in Paignton, Torquay, Brixham, Torbay, Totnes, South Devon

Chi Gong, Qigong classes and courses
in Paignton, Torquay, Brixham, Torbay, Totnes, South Devon

Tai Chi and Chinese Martial Arts Classes

Cheng Man Ching Style Tai Chi Zhong Ding Taiji

Lau Kim Hong, Koh Ah Tee, Nigel Sutton

Aramis Rencontres Jasnieres Tai Chi Festival

Tai Chi / Taiji Classes in Paignton, Torquay, Torbay, Totnes, Brixham, Devon Chinese martial artsRencontres Jasnieres Tai Chi fesival

Tai Chi / Taiji Classes in Paignton, Torquay, Torbay, Totnes, Brixham, Devon Chinese martial artsRencontres Jasnieres Tai Chi fesival

Colin David Stevens
Founder and Senior Instructor

 

Like most people of my generation, the introduction to martial arts came through the television series Kung Fu,starring David Carradine. I was always interested in martial arts, but it wasn't until I suffered a rather severe back injury that I started my first lesson. A Chinese friend, who I met through my building business, suggested I take up Tai Chi Chuan as it would improve my lower back injury.

I met my first Tai Chi teacher, John Fowler. Like all students of martial arts, I owe a debt of gratitude to my teacher for pointing me in the right direction. That was in the days before Zhong Ding was born. Through John we met and started to train with Nigel Sutton, Chief Instructor and founder of Zhong Ding. I trained under him and John for a number of years, eventually being graded as a Junior Instructor. Through Nigel's wife, Feng,we were introduced to Master Tan Ching Ngee, everybody flourished under his guidance,as most of us had never trained with a Chinese Master before.

When Nigel and Feng moved to Batu Pahat in Malaysia, other Masters became known to us, notably Master Lau Kim Hong and Master Koh-Ah-Tee - true exponents of the Cheng Man Ching 37 Posture Form.

During my training with these Masters, I found a different kind of strength was required to perform and execute the moves correctly. This required a different way of training and study. The CMC form comes from the inside. This was something I had to research and find out for myself by actually feeling the form rather than doing it mechanically. This is now my study. After all, CMC said, after a lifetime of training he only understood everything up to first cross hands.

Eventually, after further study and training, I achieved full Instructor level, starting my own classes three times a week. In 1998 I was part of the 10th Anniversary Team that toured Malaysia under the leadership of Chief Instructor, Nigel Sutton. There were times when we had to perform and demonstrate CMC, Dao, Sanshou and Tai Shou in front of our Masters and their students. I hope we didn't let anyone down!

Tai Chi comes from the inside to the out. Total relaxation is required, energy/ chi moves the body. The mind is the messenger, where the mind goes the chi will follow. This I believe is mind and body in harmony.

My goal is to see my students perform this way. Even our Masters are human. If they have obtained the knowledge, so can we. Train hard, study hard, above all else be open to others, they may know more than you.