I took my first tai chi classes at university when I was 19. The slow, focused movements left an impression, but my preferred discipline was karate, which I practised for several years. I helped to teach self-defence classes, during this time.
In my professional life I trained as a teacher and briefly taught modern languages, before joining the Metropolitan Police. I served as an officer for over 30 years.
Towards the end of my service I re-discovered Tai Chi. This time age and experience gave me a different perspective. I loved the focus required – the connection between body and mind. The calming effects of tai chi had a real impact. Improvements to posture and breathing led me to explore qigong techniques alongside tai chi and I began to take separate qigong classes. Retirement gave me the opportunity to pursue what had become a passion. I undertook instructor training with Tai Chi for Better Health and then went on to qualify as a Qigong teacher with the Shiatsu College, completing their two year training course; this gave me the opportunity to develop my teaching skills, to study anatomy and physiology, as well as aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I am a Level 3 instructor with Sifu Wing Cheung and certified to teach all 3 of his Tai Chi Qigong Courses. More recently I was fortunate to spend 4 months training at a tai chi school in China, which gave me the opportunity to focus on the foundations of my own tai chi practice.
I love to travel and I try to attend tai chi or qigong classes wherever I go in the world. I have taken lessons in China, Vietnam, Thailand and beyond. Tai Chi and Qigong are vast and fascinating subjects – we are only just beginning to recognise the benefits in the West and there is much to discover.
07941 796635
dmtaichi@icloud.com