I have trained with many
instructors including yourself where I know that I want what they have (Peter
Young,
Chris Chappel,
Master Ma,
Mikhail Ryabyko,
Wai Lum Choi, Alex
Kozma, etc).
However, you have a training method that works and have students with real
abilities.
This is very rare in the internal arts.
Thanks again.
(Tim)
I like the classes because I know I'm entering a healthy zone.
I've done a lot of travelling, learning, and philosophizing in my life and what
I like about your classes is their integrity. I like the total absence of
bullshit. It encourages me to embody what I know, to enact the conclusions I've
arrived at, and practice walking the walk, however bizarre the walk may appear
at times!
By observing the way my body does or doesn't move each week, I'm able to see
where the problems are in every other aspect of my life. For this I'm very
grateful.
(Ian)
My progress simply proves that your methods actually work. An understanding
of the basic
principals presented in the beginners syllabus is fundamental to progress. If
they are not
understood, or if misinterpreted, progress will be restricted. Tai chi has no
place for those
wishing to impose their will onto others. It appears to be a totally receptive
art, which
means it is only really restricted by your own level of receptiveness (that is
the only plateau).
It is very easy to misinterpret much of the material, as it often takes on the
appearance of
something quite different to what it actually is. If we look at the material and
attempt to
interpret it based on our past experiences it is likely to be wrong. I have
learned that 'letting go'
of pre-conceptions and becoming open to the possibility that maybe we can't
understand what is being presented in terms of past experience is a huge but
vital step in making progress.
I feel I have a strong foundation now, I can feel the internal strength
generated through neigong,
I understand that energy can only flow freely thorough loose joints, and correct
body alignment is
vital to generating a strong connection, and that softness is the path to being
receptive.
I believe the reason why my practice continues to improve is that the more I
become familiar
with the material the easier is gets and as I have a strong foundation the
benefits of this manifest
without any real effort, which I am guessing is what you had planned with the
beginners syllabus.
I look forward to continuing on my journey, and thank you sincerely for your
continued guidance
and support.
(Jeff)
Nick when I watch you
teaching and demonstrating in class you seem to exude 'drowsy power'.
(Ray Young)
I very much enjoy your sessions - without any false flattery, you have been one
of the best teachers I have had for any martial art. Your commitment, patience
and dedication to the art and your students is something that I believe many
teachers should aspire to.
I won't
pretend that all of it made sense (after all, you often told us that it
shouldn't at our stage!), but I have taken some vital lessons about martial
arts, tai chi and humility away with me...
To your credit Nick, you have shown me something that has I did not expect to
find in tai chi... a comprehensive fighting system in itself. I wish the rest of
the MA community would wake up and see what you see.
(Stuart Sadler)
Learning tai chi with your school has become a major aspect of my life.
The tai chi I have learned with you is of a quality I have never encountered
before. I do not mean this as false flattery, it is simply fact that in 3 years
of studying tai chi in the South East and West of England I effectively learned
nothing compared with what I have learned with your school in less than a year.
I have seen a positive development in both my skill and my character, the latter
being, I have found, just as important as the former.
(Rob Veater)
I could not even begin to name or number the
amount of skills I have developed whilst attending classes and various
workshops held by Nick.
The class has opened my eyes to a lot of things not just concerning self
defence but my life in general be it health or otherwise.
With Nick's classes you are not just a number or an entry fee but a
potential long time student.
He gives a lot of time and effort to helping you understand martial arts the
tai chi way - which I don't believe is on offer in many classes elsewhere.
If any.
I have found a complete system with an instructor who has the ability to not
only demonstrate but to explain in detail what he is doing and what you
should be doing.
(Jason)
Learned more from Nick in 6 months than I did in almost 2 years with
my previous school.
(Mick)
The session with you was rewarding. I have much to think about and
practice.
Perhaps one feature is the gravity striking and the associated looseness of
the body. So I'm starting with that.
(Peter Southwood)
What you are doing is very
special - nothing like it in this area!
(Steve)
I'm thoroughly enjoying the training; it is on a completely
different
level to anything I've done previously.
(Simon)
Thanks for the opportunity to do the
5 challenges tonight. It came as a surprise but I was glad to do it.
As I said to Jess, it is quite humbling in one respect and empowering in
another. A year ago there is no way I would be able to deal with 5 attackers
but tonight it felt ok, though I lost my composure a little and was unable
to utilise the skills I know I can use when attacked by one person at a
time. It is good to see the progress I have made yet have the perspective of
the infinite development that still lies ahead. The subtlety in regards to
four ounces of pressure and no strength - that you constantly allude to -
escapes me at the best of times – and probably more-so tonight, in the heat
of battle.
I look forward to learning much much more in the intermediate syllabus.
(Sagara)
My strength has increased tremendously. I can now garden without getting
backache.
(Sylvia Soulsby)
I have been training for just over a year and tai chi to me has become a lot
more than a weekly class, the complex movements have increased my awareness
of my body at work and during mundane tasks around the house.
When lifting heavy loads at work I have found that I can adjust my posture
to spread the load across more muscle groups to relieve stress from my
shoulders and lower back, reducing strain and injury minimises fatigue and
by the end of the day I feel more energetic and not like I've been beaten
up.
(Dave)
Despite doing a lot of yoga my balance was very poor. Nick's tai chi has
improved my balance immensely. Strength has improved without exertion. Much
more body awareness.
(Chris)
I don't know how many people supply you with
feedback, but from my perspective I believe the Durham class is going from strength
to strength.
The evening has an excellent atmosphere for learning with a real sense of
camaraderie among attendees, be they regulars or first timers. It is
something I really look forward to and have now adjusted some of my work
commitments just so I can be there more regularly.
(Shaun)
Although the material I am
working with at the moment isn't that difficult, it isn't easy either but I
understand the massive difficulties within the syllabus and I am determined
to work my way through them.
I took in what you were saying at the end of the class about awareness, and
the better I feel to get, the harder it is to hide from yourself, the more
responsibility I feel to put on myself, this is of course a hugely positive
influence and I see why tai chi isn't for many people as it requires a
complete change. That excites me.
(Paul
'Grasshopper' Booth)
I'm sorry to say that I have decided
to leave Newcastle and move back to Brighton, so I won't be able to come to
class any more. Your tai chi teaching is one of the few things I'll miss,
and you have a really good group of students, very peaceful. Please pass on
my regards to Jess and the class. Thanks for the teaching, I have really
enjoyed tai chi, improved my health, and learnt a lot.
(Michael)
I have been influenced by your approach and I am now only
focussing on one kata, as you have made me question the value of knowing
so many.
(Stuart Sadler)
A very good teacher. I want
to learn and I feel more confident now. Nick has endless patience.
(Eunice)
Tai chi has improved my health and helped me recover from an operation.
(Barbara)
Feel more relaxed. Very enjoyable. Nick explains everything in detail in
order to understand the movements and what it does for health reasons also.
(Lillian)
I have noticed a vast improvement in my health which reflects on my day
to day activities. My confidence has also improved which I believe is due to
the relaxing exercises we are being taught. Nick is proving to be a
dedicated teacher bringing out the best in all of the class.
(Moyra)
I feel much more relaxed and can move more easily - and the class has been
very welcoming and friendly.
(Anne)
To work with Nick I feel that
I have had to forget the dance form of tai chi I had done for over 10 years.
But with concentration it is now coming together for me and I enjoy it more
than I did at first so I will persevere!
(Noreen)
Nick is a very good teacher. It has taken a long time, but thanks to Nick
we are getting there.
(Joyce)
I enjoy the form taught by Nick, and hope that he will continue in the
future, which will help to keep us all healthy.
(Jessica)
All of the topics covered were very helpful.
I really enjoyed the learning experience and look forward to further private
training opportunities.
(Dave G)
Better quality of life. Wished I had started training earlier in my life.
(Ann)
The class is very enjoyable. Not only a social occasion for some of the
group but also a positive learning situation. The teaching is excellent.
Nick is very patient and informative.
(Laura)
Tai chi keeps me moving and motivated. It's excellent even for me at my
age and with a very bad heart condition.
(Brenda)
Page created 6 June 2002