My Name is Marion and I am a Registered Teacher with The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (http://www.taichiunion.com).
I Teach Yang Style Tai Chi Quan in Beverley, North East Yorkshire.
I lived in Beijing, China for 6 years and during the last 4 years there I studied Tai Chi Quan with 3 different teachers.
When I arrived in China it was amazing to see huge numbers of people of all ages diligently practicing various forms of Tai Chi every day. They looked healthy, happy and strong. I thought,” I want to look like them”.
It took me some time to pluck up the courage to start learning, especially as I spoke no Chinese and didn’t really know where to start.
I was very lucky; a young teacher Liu Ming Li, from the Beijing Sports University who’s major was Martial Arts started a new class near my home. He had studied Tai Chi from the age of 9. I found him to be an excellent teacher. He was patient, but also demanding. We practiced the basics over and over again. Almost immediately I felt the benefits of studying Tai Chi Quan. I had expected physical improvements, but what amazed me most was that I was also feeling more mentally alert and became more positive. I was hooked.
Some of my classmates with Teacher Liu Ming Li.
I had the chance to start an extra class with a new teacher, Zhang Jian Liang, who became a very close personal friend. He too is an excellent teacher. He encouraged me to practice, practice and then practice some more. He has won many Tai Chi competitions and medals in China. I am extremely grateful to him for all his help and encouragement.
Teacher Zhang Jian Liang on the Great Wall.
Liu Ming Li, graduated from university and moved to a full time job and I was without a teacher. A friend told me about a respected teacher, Zhang Laoshi (Teacher Zhang) who taught every morning in Hong Ling Jin Park. He was 67 years old at the time, is a level 6 teacher and had been teaching for over 30 years. He moves like a man half his age. He asked me to do the Yang Style 24 Step for him. I was extremely nervous, especially as the rest of his class was looking on. Afterwards he spent 30 minutes pointing out my mistakes, but then to my relief said I could join the class next day. He is a brilliant and dedicated teacher. I learnt so much from him and miss him daily.
Some of Zhang Laoshi's older students. Zhang Laoshi is at the centre front.
I continued learning with Zhang Laoshi nearly every day until I left Beijing to return to England in 2011. I will return to Beijing at regular intervals over the coming years to further my knowledge of Tai Chi.
I am now a member of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain. Below is a list of what I teach.
Yang Style Tai Chi Quan.
8,16,24,32,40,42,48 Step Tai Chi Quan
Yang Style Sword.
16,32,42,56 Step Sword
Wu Style Sword.
36 Step Sword.
Dragon and Phoenix QiGong - taught by Master Joe Lok. Accredited teacher since September 2016.
