Featured Instructor

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Dan Docherty passed away on 9th December 2021. His memory lives on through this website, his articles, videos, podcasts and in the hearts, minds and teaching of his many students and friends throughout the world.

If you are looking for a teacher in this style, then please visit “Where to Learn” “Instructor Listings” page as although this is not being kept up to date it will provide contact details for a number of his main students.

The PTCCI practitioners Facebook page is useful should you have questions.

STEVE WOOSTER

Each instructor is asked the same set of questions:
1. How (and when) did you start?
2. Why Practical Tai Chi Chuan?
3. What is your favourite technique - and why? (in 50 words)
4. One piece of advice or knowledge you would like to give to fellow practitioners:
5. How do you train now?

1) How and when did you start.
I started Tai chi back in 1986 having previously practiced Japanese martial arts. I had heard that Tai chi was good for you and I wanted to learn it to improve my Karate, plus the famous Kanazawa Sensei was a student of Tai chi. At that time Sifu Docherty had just started teaching in sunny Southend-on-sea so me and my friends went along and joined up.

2)Why Practical Tai Chi Chuan.
My friend had taken me to his teacher who was a yang stylist and Shaolin boxer, and I must say the demo of Tai chi he gave me didn’t impress me much. As I said earlier I found mr Docherty’s class some ten miles away and from that very first lesson I found it to be very practical, plus in the following years I came across students from different styles of Tai chi and their knowledge and skills were lacking. I feel lucky that I came across this style of Tai chi and fortunate enough to be taken under Mr Docherty’s Wing.

3) What is your favourite technique and why?
I don’t really have a favourite technique but if I had to choose one then it would probably be running thunder hand, because it is very basic, can be learned quickly and is very practical.

4) One piece of advice or knowledge you would like to give to fellow practitioners.
The best piece of advice I would like to give to my fellow practitioners is the advice my teacher gave to me and subsequently his teacher gave to him, and that is “Don’t become lazy”. Very hard in this day and age.

5) How do you train now?
I train every day to various degrees with time permitting. We live in an age where it is often difficult to find time to Do the things we love so we must steal the time where we can.

MATAN GRINFELD

1. How (and when) did you start?
When I was a boy I saw some tai chi on t.v. and immediately knew I liked it.
I also used to go to my neighbors house and play with (ruin actually…) his father's metal swords. Some years later I went to see what he is teaching and became his student. His name is Dov Wiesberger and he was the first Wudang teacher in Israel.
After the army I went to London and became a student of Dan. I was there for a year.

2. Why Practical Tai Chi Chuan?
I think because started when I was 16 I never asked myself this question. This is my martial art, this is what keeps me in tuned.

3. What is your favourite technique - and why? (in 50 words)
I like Playing the Lute. It is very practical and very versatile.

4. One piece of advice or knowledge you would like to give to fellow practitioners:
Always ask yourself why are you doing tai chi. This way you know yourself better and also reduces chances of stopping (for me the reason is changing every few years).

5. How do you train now?
I have a family and I work too much, so I train when I can… I like forms best, then the rest.

Short C.V.

I'm 40 years old. Started training at 16.
I have a B.A. in Far Eastern Studies. I was a year in china, learning Chinese and traveling.

I did my M.A. in Movement Psychotherapy.

I competed in 2000 TCFE European championship, and did full contact in the 2003 British open.

My current work is Movement Psychotherapist- I work mostly in schools with children and teenagers with different mental problems. Of course I use elements from T.C.C. in my work as it utilize movement.

These days I teach T.C.C. only in private classes.

www.taichichuan.co.il is my website. And my Facebook page is Tai Chi North

To see other Instructors Featured in this series please click on their names:
Catherine Birkinhead