Traditional martial arts date back centuries and can be found throughout Asia – they include arts such as Tai Chi Chuan, Angampora, Kalarippayat, Muay Thai and Kung Fu. What makes these arts traditional is that they are deeply ingrained within the cultural, philosophical and spiritual traditions rooted in the country of origin.

Whilst I have spent lengthy periods travelling throughout Asia studying and living with dedicated practitioners of these arts, I make no claim to ‘knowing’ them. I was merely a visitor in their world where I was honoured to be welcomed into their lives to share their training spaces and practices.

Me with Ian Cameron

It was, through many years of practising with the only person I can truly call my teacher or ‘Sifu’ in the martial arts, Ian Cameron, that I gained the confidence to go and try other styles. Doing so, reaffirmed the demonstratable high quality of the training I had received from him and made me appreciate his determination, strong character, values and embodiment of the tai chi principle even more. Spending so many years learning from Ian has played a huge part in my own personal, physical and spiritual development.

Tai Chi Chuan, as with other art forms, are at their core, solitary in nature. It is you who is responsible for your own growth and development. However, they are also fundamentally based on the formation and development of human relationships – we grow individually and together through our practice.