About me
My Tai Chi journey started around 2003 shortly after becoming incapacitated by the weirdest of illnesses. Most probably caused by an infection, this illness was classified as a neuro-otological condition. It manifested as a balance disorder which caused me significant problems just being able to function on a day-to-day basis.
I already had an interest in Tai Chi, but the initial impetus for starting was as part of my treatment and rehabilition. Soon after starting, Tai Chi got under my skin and I became fascinated by its history and underlying principles. Not only did this fascination lead to obtaining a Masters Degree, I also completed a 3 year Tai Chi Teacher training course with the Chinese Internal Arts Association.
To put it mildly, I’m passionate about Tai Chi. It has played an instrumental role in my life. Not only in the rehabilitation and ongoing management of my disordered balance system, but also heavily influencing how I approach my entire life and interact with the world around me.
My experience of Tai Chi coupled with a disordered balance, has subsequently lead me down a path of deep exploration of 2 subjects we in the West separate as distinct areas. The principles of Tai Chi see them as one and the same, however. These areas are the healthy and sustainable function of mind and body as a unified system.
So in my classes, you’ll find an approach heavily influenced by Chinese Classical Thought mixed in with a good dose of aligned modern science of human movement and the nature of mind.
My Tai Chi Lineage
Within the Tai Chi community there is respect for heritage and ancestry. As such, a teacher’s lineage is considered to be important.
I learned Yang-style and Wu-style before meeting my current teachers, Karel and Eva Koskuba of the Chinese Internal Arts Association. Karel and Eva are 20th Generation lineage disciples of Master Chen Xiaowang. Master Chen Xiaowang is the current worldwide standard bearer of Chen-style Taijiquan.
I have been learning Chen-style Tai Chi Chuan for over 14 years and have completed a 3 year Chen-style teacher training programme.