Simon Robins

When I first started Tai Chi almost 20 years ago (thank goodness it keeps people looking young!) it was because my body was in poor shape. I had been on crutches several times with foot and ankle injuries, ripped my back muscles and had internal bleeding; sawn off the tip of one of my fingers (although I like to tell small children it was a shark!); been run over by a transit van as it span off the road; injured a shoulder (it's still a bit clicky) and had a few whiplash injuries from car accidents; impaled my foot on a spike; come off my bicycle in a variety of painful and amusing ways ... The list goes on and, if you've managed not to wince through this, I'll tell you the rest in person. In short, I've had more injuries than a squirrel has nuts!

I had loved my Judo, was passionate about Aikido and enjoyed Ju Jitsu - but my body was too broken to continue with those arts. Initially, I only saw Tai Chi as a way to get my body fit and healthy so that I could get back to training again. However, as I continued there were other changes...

My mind became calm and still. As you may be able to work out from the list of injuries above I had been the kind of person who trained hard, played hard, generally lived life in a "hard" way. My emotions became more stable. I'd had enough relationships to have learned, but hadn't learned. My question became not, "Is there a relationship", but "What is the relationship, and how is it happening?" And there were other changes, too. The promise of Tai Chi became real to me through a series of profound experiences. I realised this was a journey in wisdom.

Simon is qualified as a Senior Instructor and insured with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, a member of the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association and is fully CRB checked.

Training History (with thanks to all my teachers)

   
2002-present

 

certificateSince 2007 I have been studying intensively with Master Sam Masich and am honoured to organise and host his UK dates. Sam is a disciple of both Dr. Yang Jwing Ming and Grandmaster Shouyou Liang as well as having studied privately with the Yang Family (Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo and Grandmaster Yang Jun). 

Sam visits during 2012 will be to deepen our knowledge of Tai Chi Sabre (an often neglected part of training, I think), and later in the year to revise Pushing Hands drills including moving step.

Other teachers I have had the privilege of studying with during this period have been: Grandmaster Yang Jun, Master Mei Mei Teo (Disciple to Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo), Master Faye Yip, Master Dan Li Jun, Master Wee Ki Jin, Murray Douglas and (for Chen style) Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang and his lineage disciples Jan Silberstorff and Karel and Eva Koskuba.  Annual Pushing Hands meetings in Hannover and Tai Chi Caledonia each summer have allowed me to study with and be influenced by many excellent teachers and practitioners from around the world including Mario Napoli, Flavio Danielle and Ken van Sickle.

Being asked to teach Yang Style Principles and Chi Gung at Caledonia in 2009 was a great pleasure.
1999
 Simon was travelling round the Americas studying with traditional wisdom teachers, particularly Maestro Tlakaelel of Mexico.
1996-present
 Private Yoga tuition with Susan Eastman
1994-9
 Cheng Man Ch'ing style Tai Chi with John Eastman, a direct student of Professor Cheng. Occassional study with Murray Douglas (Qigong and Principles) and Hao Style and Hsing I with Master Dan Li Jun.
1992-4
 Yang Style Tai Chi in Brighton with Michael Richmond, a workshop with Murray Douglas and one with John Ding
1991-2

Lee Family Tai Chi with Alex Cox
1988 - 90
 Judo, Aikido and a little Ju Jitsu at various Leicester, West Midlands and Bristol clubs (I had a girlfriend in Bristol so went to the class whenever I was there...)
1976-80
1988-89
 Judo at V&E club in Cheshunt and then again at Leicester Poly (won Bronze with them at the National University Judo Competition)

To see Simon in action, visit our YouTube channel.

 

 

Cher Robins

cher_in_pushWhen I walked into my first class, I knew that it was the perfect place for me to be. I couldn't train enough; the more I did, the better I felt and the more my body became something to be listened to after decades of ignoring it. The effect was so remarkable, that within weeks my body felt tingly with life.

As a Secondary teacher of English and a Master Practitioner of NLP and Hypnotherapy, I aim to make my Internal Arts classes a discovery of your own sense of personal space and power. Oh, and please be prepared to find the whole thing funny - even when you feel like you're tying yourself into a human pretzel!

Having recently given birth to our first child, I used Tai Chi and Qigong to maintain my health and fitness in a gentle and supportive way and even to manage my labour. Tai Chi is an excellent way to manage pregnancy, labour and post-birth recovery. If you are thinking of using Tai Chi in this way, please contact me on 01903 369501.

Training History

2002 - present

 

I am registered as an Advanced Instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, is fully CRB checked and a qualified first aider.

I train with Simon in all areas of his Internal Arts curriculum and develop and manage the Instructors' course, and also, since 2007, have had the pleasure of hosting and training with Sam Masich

Other Teachers: Tai Chi Caledonia 2004: Ken Van Sickle (Cheng Man Ch'ing Sword form) and Cornelia Gruber (San Shou); Dan Li Jun workshop (Hao Style); Aarvo Tucker workshop (5 Animal Frolics); 1-2-1 Yoga with Susan Eastman 2006-7; Tai Chi Ruler workshop with Michael Richmond

1985 - 2002

ME/CFS prevented me from physical practice and training, but during this time I studied comparative religion, philosophy and spirituality by reading voraciously anything I could find on these subjects. I also began my practice of meditation and yoga. 

1983-5

Judo at Blandford Army Camp - I love the throws in Tai Chi because they build on the theory I learnt here.