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The Senior Instructors.
"Always know the
source of the water that you drink." (Chinese proverb)
Mark Bradfield…
“After a short period of study at the Wudang School with
Gordon McGowan, I began an earnest study of Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) in
1992 at Wutan Kung Fu International under the tutelage of Sifu Dave
Young (head instructor at Wutan Nottingham). I went on to study with
Sifu Sarah Scotthorne (founder of Wutan Nottm, founder of Wutan Bristol
& disciple of Master Wu Song Fa) & Master They Soon Tuan (founder of
Wutan UK, disciple of Wu Song Fa & former student of the late
Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao).
I was selected for instructor training after a period of
about 1 year, becoming one of Sifu Scotthorne’s assistant instructors &
attaining instructor status after another 12 months intensive study
including regular seminars with Master They. I went on to become a
member of the Nottingham Taiji (Tai Chi) demonstration team & the only
instructor authorized to teach outside of the school in the private
sector at that time.
I studied & taught 37 Step Yang style Taijiquan (right & left
style with applications), Tui Shou (Push Hands), Zhan Zhuang Qigong
(Standing Post Chi Kung), Baguazhang (Pa Kua Chang - Eight Trigrams
Palm), Rang Ya Tuan Kun (Fox’s Canine Teeth Short Stick Routine) & Miao
Dao (Corn Leaf Sabre).
In 1997 I was one of a select few Wutan instructors to train
in 42 Step Taiji with Professor Li De Yin (developer of the 42 Step
form) & his family. I went on to study this style further with Master
Wen Mei Yu (former Professor at Jing Wu Athletic College) who commended
my execution of this form.
Just after the turn of the century I studied Hung Kuen (Five
Animals Kung Fu) with Sifu Dave Levett & Sifu Colin Merrit (former
student of the late Master Chan Hon Chung) at the Golden Dragon Kung Fu
School. During my time at the Golden Dragon I met Master Chun Man Chen
of Taiwan’s Tai Ji Men & studied & learned some of her Taiji & Qigong
methods. I paid regular visits to the Fo Guan Shan Temple in Manchester
during this period & taught beginners Hung Kuen & 24 Step Taiji at the
school.
I left the Golden Dragon Kung Fu School after several years &
began teaching independently focusing on 37 Step Yang style Taijiquan,
Zhan Zhuang & Tui Shou.
In 2004 I was introduced to Sifu Ken “Junior” Mead (gold medalist in
Malaysian Tui Shou competition & student of Master Nigel Sutton) of
Zhong Ding International.
I
studied with Junior for approximately 2 years concentrating on Zheng
Manqing (Cheng Man Ching) Taijiquan, Tui Shou, Zhan Zhuang, Qigong,
Xingyiquan (Hsing I Chuan - Form & Mind Boxing), Baguazhang &
Xingyiqiang (Hsing I Spear). I also attended frequent seminars with
Master Nigel Sutton (founder of Zhong Ding International & disciple of
Masters Tan Ching Ngee, Lee Bian Lei, Lau Kim Hong, Ho Ah San & Gao
Jiwu) & trained in Taijiquan, Tui Shou, Baguazhang, Taijidao (Tai Chi
Broadsword) & Taijijian (Tai Chi Straight Sword). During my time at
Zhong Ding I also had the honour of learning from Master Foo Shang Hui
(former student of Grandmasters Yang Chi Hu, Yang Zhen Duo & 20th
generation disciple Chenjiagou).
In 2006 I travelled to New Zealand where I met Master Tu Ky
Lam (former student of Master Ma Hong & student of Master Yao Cheng
Rong) who taught me the fundamentals of Yiquan (I Chuan - Intention
Boxing). I was also invited to the Tao Temple in Taupaki, Kumeu – one of
the “Golden Threads” (- pure lineages) of Taoism passed down through
“White Water Old Man”, where I regularly attended new moon & full moon
incense offering ceremonies. It was suggested that I help in the
interpretation of Taoist texts & teach Taiji at the Temple but my
imminent return to the UK made this impracticable.
I am currently assimilating & refining all that I have
learned & seeking new teachers to further my knowledge & understanding.
With this in mind I’ve recently been introduced to Sun style Taijiquan
by Master Faye Li Yip (daughter of Professor Li De Yin, co-founder of
Deyin Taijiquan Institute UK & former student of the late Grandmaster
Sun Jian Yun).
I strongly believe that Taijiquan is a great force for good &
am fully committed to consistently improving my understanding of this
wonderful art & passing this knowledge on to others unreservedly. My
goal is to improve the wellbeing of all of my students & contribute
towards the
realisation of a
better world.”
Mark is registered as an advanced (‘A’ grade) instructor with
the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and runs regular classes in North
Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire.
Email Mark at
whitecrowtao@gmail.com
or telephone 07968 819 629.
Wes Mollison…
“I began my study of Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Gung and Chinese internal martial arts in the spring of 2000 as a private student of Mark Bradfield. I was very fortunate to receive traditional training in all aspects of Tai Chi training from Mark, which is an uncommon privilege in modern internal martial arts today. Most of my first 3 years of training took place outdoors, irrespective of weather conditions and I amassed over 10 hours one to one training each week as I worked intensively under Marks tuition and guidance. When I wasn’t training, I immersed myself in the tai chi chuan classical texts and studied Taoist philosophy and meditation, which further developed my understanding of the deeper energetic and meditative elements of the art. Although my training was often very challenging, I gradually realised, as the seasons passed and reappeared, that I was slowly building a solid foundation in Tai Chi Chuan that would equip me for a lifetime of study. I was also astounded by how dramatically my health and general well being had improved, and I began to greatly appreciate the extra dimension that Tai chi had added to my life.
From 2002 to 2004 Mark and I shared a house, and I was able to further
deepen and develop my Tai Chi training, with conversations, experimental
sessions, pushing hands and freestyle sparring often going on long into
the evening. During this time I became an assistant instructor, helping
out in Marks weekly Tai Chi classes.
In 2006, Mark moved to New Zealand and I moved to Leeds UK. Later that
year I had my tai chi skills and abilities examined by the Tai Chi Union
for Great Britain's technical panel and I was subsequently awarded Tai
Chi Instructor membership with them. I also travelled to Southampton to
meet Sifu Lawrence Chapman (a senior instructor for Wutan
International, a British and European Competition judge for the BCCMA
and an 'indoor' student of Master Wu Song Fa and Master They Soon Tuan).
He met privately with me to further examine and guide my Tai Chi
development giving me invaluable insight into my form and application
work. I also spent time attending the classes of numerous tai chi
instructors from the Leeds and Bradford area to broaden my knowledge and
look at different teaching styles. During this time I received private
tuition from Joanna Zorya (founder of the Martial Tai Chi Association)
who focused on teaching me the essence of Reeling Silk technique and its
application.
The following year I began my study of the Yang Style Tai Chi Sword, and
received weekly one to one private instruction from Peter Southwood (a
former student of Master Chu King Hung and Peter Newton, student of
Master Yang Jwing Ming), eventually learning the Yang Style 67 movement
Straight Sword Form. I also began teaching Tai Chi in Leeds and set up
the Golden Thread Tai Chi School. As well as teaching weekly classes in
North Leeds, I also devised and delivered numerous Tai Chi workshops and
seminars in the area, focusing on relaxation and team building, to
several organizations throughout West Yorkshire ranging from a corporate
seminar for The Immigration & Asylum Tribunals Service to relaxation
workshops for the local Women’s Institute.
In 2008 I was given the advanced ('A') grade instructor status by the
Tai Chi Union for Great Britain.
Like many dedicated instructors, my own learning and development is
ongoing. Currently, I regularly attend seminars, workshops and retreats
throughout the UK to develop my skills in internal martial arts and
meditation, and I have trained with numerous internationally renowned
teachers from around the world. Since moving back to Nottinghamshire
Mark and I are able train regularly and I am beginning a study into the
fundamental principles of Yi Quan (Intention Boxing).
Contact Wes on
wes76@hotmail.co.uk.