I became interested in learning T’ai Chi after having some treatment with a form of therapeutic bodywork called Polarity Therapy. Polarity is a  bodywork system that utilises the meridians and acupressure points of Chinese medicine. As my treatment progressed I became aware that I could sense the subtle energy flows that were happening in my body. This increased my curiosity about energy work and led me to decide to try T’ai Chi.

I had come across Lee Style T’ai Chi in Coventry during the 1980’s. At that time Chee Soo, who was the person who popularised the Lee Style, was living and teaching in Coventry. Although I never met or trained with him during that period I did see him teach at Alderman Callow school.

 I also met a number of people who had trained with him. This included two Americans who had apparently come over to England just to study with Chee Soo one summer. They were effusive in their praise for Chee Soo and his abilities. When, some years later, I decided I wanted to learn T’ai Chi it was therefore natural that I looked for a Lee Style T’ai Chi class.

I started to learn T’ai Chi in Coventry in 1993. My teacher from 1994 until 2005 was Mike Stanley. Mike trained with Chee Soo and became an instructor under his guidance remaining with Chee Soo’s association until Chee Soo died in 1994. Mike was a generous and talented teacher and I am still grateful for everything I learnt from him.

After Mike left Coventry I continued to train on my own and run a small T’ai chi class. In 2010 I joined Howard Gibbon’s East West Taoist Association, and trained to be an instructor. I continue to train regularly with Howard and run a T’ai chi class near Loughborough. Over the years with Howard I have tried to improve my T’ai chi practice and to learn about the Feng Shou self defence arts taught by Chee Soo. It is a privilege to have access to one of Chee Soo’s most senior students and learn from such a knowledgeable and talented teacher.