Instructors

Michael Acton - Head instructor / Director

Shifu Michael Acton began his study of Taiji quan (Yang Style) in 1976  in London. Shortly afterwards he became a student of Seow Poon- Shing a Wu Style practitioner from Malaysia whose teachers carried the banner of Chen Wing Kwong, a highly regarded taiji boxer and student of Wu Jian Quan, founder of the Wu School of Taijiquan.

For several years Michael studied form,  pushing hands (Tui Shou) and basic gong fu attack and defence as well as  martial Qi Gong before his teacher returned to Malaysia. Later Michael explored other styles and visited and worked with several London based teachers of Taijiquan . Michael met Fu Hua of Shanghai (Student of the renowned boxer Zhu Gui Ting)  with whom  he studied Hsing Yi,  Ba Gua and the traditional Yang form of Yang Cheng Fu of the Yang family system.

In 1992, convinced that there was a significant missing ingredient from all the western teachers he had met, Michael went to China to explore Tai Ji Quan within a Chinese context. In Guangzhou he was able to study Qi Gong and practice free style boxing with Chen and Shaolin stylists. 

In Shanghai Michael met with Master Li liqun, a 4th generation master of Tai Ji Quan and a master of traditional Qi Gong healing. Master Li was able to show Michael the missing ingredient in his Tai Ji Quan and forced him to re evaluate all the taiji he had learned to date. Michael has said it was like starting all over again, but worth every minute.

Master Li is a close indoor student of Master Ma Yueh Liang who was Master Wu Jian Quan senior disciple and inheritor of the Wu Jian Quan Taiji boxing system. Master Ma was one of the great Wu Shu 'Treasures" of China and a priceless source of traditional knowledge and renowned for his exceptional Taiji boxing skills.

Michael stayed in China  for three years studying traditional Wu style long slow form, double edge sword, broadsword, spear and pole along with advanced attack and defence hand manipulations and stepping strategies. He also studied the Dao Yin qi gong methods of Master Li and was given permission to teach the Wu Zhang Dao Bu Fan Hui Qi Gong of Master Li (One of only 21 therapeutic Qi Gong systems officially recognised by the Chinese medical qi gong governing body). Michael became Master Li's representative in the  UK and on Master Li's request began teaching the traditional Wu system of Tai Ji Quan, Michael returns frequently to China to further his studies and in 2006 hosted a visit by Master Li in London.

Michael has also studied meditation in India.

In addition he is the author of a recently published book on the methods and strategies of Qi Gong and Tai Ji Quan called "Eternal Spring- Qi Gong, Taijiquan and the Cultivation of Health, Happiness and Longevity" (Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London and USA)

 

LYNN HALLER BA,  DO MSCC,  registered Osteopath (25 years), Trustee and Teaching member of post graduate Sutherland Cranial College, International lecturer in Osteopathic Medicine and Paediatrics.  Lynn runs a private Osteopathic practice in North London.  He first began his study of TaiJi Quan in 1973. He  teaches beginner and advanced Tai Ji Quan at YMCA Hornsey Club Crouch End London. Sunday 10:45AM–1:15

CATHERINE LEDDER BA, UKCP Reg., BACP Snr. Accred., an Integrative Psychotherapist with 30 years experience, began studying Taiji in 1975. She teaches begginers and advanced TaijiQuan at the Laboratory Spa and Health Club, Muswell Hill, London Each Wednesday 10:00AM212.

FAISAL MIAN, Massage Thearapist and Personal Trainer. Co-founder of The Seven Heavens Accupuncture and Qi Gong Clinc. Faisal Teaches Taiji Quan in the local community and schools in North London and also provides massage therapy in Old Peoples Care Homes as well as Therapeutic Massage at the Seven Heavens Clinic.
He teaches Taiji Quan privatelyon a one to one or small group basis.
www.sevenheavens.co.uk

AWAIS MIAN BSc (Hons) MBAcC
Qualified biochemist and acupuncturist,  co-founder The Seven Heavens Accupuncture and Qi Gong Clinic. Awais lectures on the Integrated Accupuncture Masters course at South Bank Universityand and is a complimentary care
consultant for St Joseph's Hospice, Hackney.
He also teaches Taiji  at Westminster's University's TaiJi Students Society.

Classe: Qi Gong on Wednesdays 5-6pm St Josephs Hospice, open to all.
Taiji quan on Thursdays 6-7.30 Westminster University (students and alumni members
only).

Private classes from Seven Heavens Clinic.
www.sevenheavens.co.uk

JAMIE BROWN, BSc Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Taijiquan Classes: Lewisham Library (Mon 6.30 - 7.30); London Ambulance Service (Wednesday 6–7pm (LAS staff only)); Private tuition in South East London areas. 07843 387 630
southlondonwustyle@yahoo.com

JEREMY MARSHALL, BSc Traditional Chinese Medicine and Accupuncture.- has over thirteen years of tai chi and qi gong experience. He currently runs his Acccupuncture practice and teaches  Taiji Quan and Qi Gongin Brighton and Lewes, East Sussex.
www.acupunctureandtaichibrighton.co.uk