I've done some martial arts before including tai chi but Sifu Waller's syllabus is so beyond anything I've seen it's ridiculous! Practically all my previous training has not helped me at all and I'm just grateful I found Sifu Waller when I did.

(Tim)

Student feedback

Feedback from students is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and feelings:

 

Before I came to Sifu Waller three years ago I had spent six years at four different classes trying to learn tai chi. None of them had a syllabus of any kind. Most were offering tuition of the simplified 24 step Yang style tai chi, with no self defence and no regard for the health of knees or back. The classes were for one hour only and cost about the same as ours.

(John Bell)

 

After some months of questioning and reflecting on the true nature of internal martial arts I was recently, along with a number of Sifu Waller’s students, given an energetic and skilful introduction to the world of baguazhang. My first reaction was it’s everything I thought it would be, and clearly so much more.

To be on the receiving end of an application of bagua from Sifu is to be permanently cured of any lingering doubts as to its effectiveness as a profound martial skill. I certainly harboured those doubts coming as I do from a background of predominantly external martial arts. (Where’s the flamboyant stances, where’s the crack of the gi as you snap out a gyakuzuki???) But as I gingerly picked myself up off the floor after a particularly enlightening application from Sifu those doubts have died away like the echo of a scream from someone on the receiving end of ‘cavity press.’

As a general rule when Sifu remarks ‘Hey, this will make you laugh!’ I have come to understand a particularly vigorous application is approaching! It is in these applications that I am beginning to recognise firstly the skill and depth of Sifu’s learning, and secondly how my own learning skills and experience are woefully inadequate to the task of learning bagua and tai chi.

It’s certainly sobering when after all those years of training, facing Sifu I feel about as effective as an old lady throwing marshmallows.

Sifu is constantly stressing relaxation. As I was reflecting on this it occurred to me that watching Sifu perform bagua is for me like trying to read a book without my reading glasses. Once I learn to relax everything will become a little clearer.

I feel very grateful to Sifu for an introduction to a form of martial arts that as I understand it is not that widely available to western students in its authentic form. And, as Sifu recently pointed out bagua is part of the black belt syllabus, I feel he has generously presented us with a wonderful opportunity.

It is also I suspect in my own case something of a double-edged sword. As part of the Mc generation I am as guilty as anyone of wanting everything now, and being very demanding in terms of my own needs, of looking straight to the highest teaching and grasping after it. It’s interesting to reflect after the introduction that this is clearly the opposite approach that is required by a martial art like bagua, and then it follows that an introduction to bagua at this time may simply be utterly beyond our capabilities. As Adam Hsu says in his book, The Sword Polishers Record, ‘kung fu literally means time and hard work, there are no shortcuts.’

Certainly bagua cannot be seen, as perhaps it could be argued some other aspects of martial arts are, as simply another medal to pin on the chest of ego.

For those of us who’ve been involved in martial arts for some time, and have some experience of Chinese arts and teachers, I feel we can be confident that with Sifu we have stumbled upon a treasure trove of authentic Chinese martial arts. It’s tremendously exciting as the lineage and history is abundantly clear in his approach. It struck me, the first time I saw Sifu demonstrate it, that 5000 years of Chinese culture and history is somehow woven into the lethal beauty of bagua.

Having reconciled myself many years ago to an understanding that I have no flair for Chinese martial arts, in fact I am hopelessly inadequate and uncoordinated, I must confess to feeling a little intimidated by the skill required to approach tai chi and bagua. A friend, an excellent choi lee fut practitioner, once remarked as I struggled through a set from shaolin long fist that ‘ you look like my father disco dancing at my wedding.’ I can’t help feeling that Sifu’s generosity and skill may be utterly wasted on me and I should put all my energy in learning to be an expert at falling well! Right now that would be a profound achievement.

(Graham)


Dear Sifu,

I feel very lucky to have found your school and have had the opportunity to be your student.

I really do enjoy all the lessons and learning about the art. I know what I have learnt from you will always stay with me.

Thank you Sifu for your generosity and the passion you put into teaching.

Warmest wishes for the coming months and the future.

(Yu-chun)


Lessons are taught in a friendly and fun manner with the instructor quick to respond if a person is struggling with a concept. Concepts are clearly taught at the appropriate level of the person and their learning level. I have completed the induction course and decided to join the school. I wanted something for better health with a self defence component, so I will go down this road and see where it leads me!

(Spencer)


I am a new starter, a total beginner and I have been made to feel very welcome in Sifu Waller's class. This class offers so much more than your average martial school and from my snippet of experience so far, it has depth beyond measure. The class revolves around core principles of trust, hard work and patience. Each class is a new learning experience. I have also started reading more since starting class. If you put in the effort, Sifu will put his wisdom into teaching you.

(Barnaby)


What I find most amazing about the syllabus is how everything is interlocking and interconnected.

(Tim, maths teacher)


I started the ‘health only’ class in January 2011 after 2 years of poor health which included issues with mobility. After previously being very active (hill walking, cycling etc) I have found the classes have been invaluable in getting me back on my feet. Sifu Waller’s experience and knowledge are apparent and I have found the attention to detail in all the exercises very useful and they always give me much to think about.

The three things I specifically enjoy are the structured nature of the classes (I’m now working towards my silver belt :-) ), the emphasis on application of the exercises to everyday life and also the friendliness of the people and helpers (Rachel has been very helpful as I work toward my first belt) in the classes. It is also worthwhile noting the additional resources available to the students such as the website, blogs etc. which have pointed me to some useful reading (e.g. Zen material) that aids my tai chi study.

(Leigh)


Good morning Rachel,

I just wanted to again express my thanks to you for inviting me into your home and to Sifu a truly inspiring workshop. I can say that it was one of the most educational and enjoyable workshops I have ever attended, and I've been doing martial arts since I was 15!

Please pass on my thanks to Sifu for allowing me to attend even though I am ungraded, I really appreciated the opportunity.

(Graham) 


What I really like about the class is its friendly atmosphere with excellent teaching and a clear syllabus that means everyone makes progress. It’s challenging but accessible. Everything is explained to the level you want and obviously Sifu Waller really demonstrates what is possible in the art.

(Tim)


Having looked around for Tai Chi lessons for mainly health but also martial applications, what I found immediately obvious with Sifu Waller was the practical "Real" teaching; None of the flowery waving arms about, but real scientifically provable methods to aid health and engage martial capability.

Having joined the class I find it great to train in an environment where everything I do can be explain in an absolute and scientific way; be demonstrated to be workable and when actually done see the results for myself.

Don't get me wrong there is a place for Tao and Zen for some people (both of which I study) but it supplements the training in our school, rather than confuses as in so many other schools.

In my life free time is in short supply; I want a class where I get value for money and concentrated pure teaching, Newcastle Tai Chi meets both these objectives.

(Damian)

 

There are so many different dimensions to what Sifu Waller's class offers, it is hard to know where to start. The main thing for me is that it is great fun - I never expected that learning to hit and be hit, escape holds and put each other on the floor would make me laugh so much. 

This comes from Sifu Waller's unique approach, sharing his vast knowledge in a down-to-earth and non-macho way, which I think leads to the whole class being a warm and supportive place to be. 

The key thing is that it works, such simple things that have a really dramatic effect on your body, not a spiritual, abstract set of moves but real 'I do this, he falls down' stuff.  I can feel my own body responding now too - getting firmer, more balanced, more in control - and I think the qigong exercises are making my mind much calmer as well.

(Robin)


I have just returned from hospital and whilst there the physio asked about my tai chi lessons with Sifu Waller, how often I did it etc. He told me there was nothing further he could show me that would be better than the exercises I showed him from class and doesn't want to see me again for two months. He said it was ideal, slow yet dynamic and was happy for me to use it as my only ongoing therapy to finish my recovery. I have asked if he would mention Sifu Waller's class to some of his patients and he has agreed to do so. My point is, how can you possibly put a price on that? You can't. £6.00 per week for improved health, wellbeing and a stronger body. It wouldn't even buy a tub of "magic cure-all" we so often see in Health Food Shops these days.

(Margaret)


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 never get the chance to talk to you as we leave in a hurry after class but I would like to say in this email how much we admire and respect you, your clarity and common sense approach to many aspects of the martial arts cuts through so much crap taught by others; we are humbled and honoured for you allowing us to train with you, I do not think some of the other students understand the difference between other classes and yours, believe me we do; I guess because we involved with other stuff we can appreciate just how awesome the art is you teach.

I was talking to Jonothan going home tonight and we remarked on just how deep tai chi penetrates into every aspect of our lives, moving, thinking, interaction with others, it really pervades everything you do when you allow it to.

It must be frustrating to have all this cool stuff and not be able to get it across to the general public.

(Damian)


Learned more from Sifu Waller in 6 months than I did in almost 2 years with my previous school.

(Mick)


When I try to tell people about the kung fu training we do, no one seems interested or even curious. The martial arts world seems totally unaware of the 'internal arts'. It is as if you are learning a myth; a martial art that people think does not even exist!

Quite soon after joining Sifu Waller's class, I saw him do things that I'd thought impossible. Having seen many kung fu movies in Malaysia during my youth, I thought it was all special effects and wire work. I didn't really think you could knock someone clean across the room or inflict incredible pain with such total ease. But you can. And he does. And this is part of what we are learning every lesson.

(Rachel)


I'm thoroughly enjoying the training; it is on a completely different level to anything I've done previously.

(Simon)


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) 
 

(Jonothan)


I very much enjoy your sessions - without any false flattery, you have been one of the best instructors I have had for any martial art. Your commitment, patience and dedication to the art and your students is something that I believe many instructors should aspire to.

To your credit Sifu Waller, 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)


I think the shredding of pre-conceived ideas of what 'tai chi' is was very important (and still is) in the early/beginner stages.

My health has improved - not just physically - also an increase in general wellbeing.

I have a lot of respect for the school and the instructor and the helpers/senior students. It's a joy training with people who have real passion (I don't use the word lightly) for the art and teach it with respect and integrity. As a student you feel privileged to learn. The value of the art is apparent in both the teaching and the learning. There are no illusions about how long the journey of the student will be but one can be confident it will be undertaken in a safe environment.

(Rachel) 


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 strength has increased tremendously. I can now garden without getting backache.

(Sylvia Soulsby)


I first became interested in tai chi about 6/7 years ago following some amazingly successful acupuncture treatment for a back and elbow injury.

I did attend a different tai chi class in Newcastle. I signed up for a terms evening class at a local comprehensive with my daughter who is a language teacher. After the first lesson my daughter confirmed my thoughts that this guy is hopeless. He was everything that Sifu Waller is not. He was late for class every week, there was no weekly agenda let alone syllabus and at the end of term he gave us a certificate indicating some proficiency in tai chi. Unfortunately it has coloured my daughters judgement of tai chi forever and although she lives out of the area now is not interested in joining any local tai chi class as she says her memories of the last class are enough. However I did find some of the science/physics most interesting and was determined to keep looking.

By chance I came across Sifu Waller’s class. So imagine my surprise and bewilderment when I walked into the hall on the first night to see people standing shaking, fighting with knives and newspapers, trying seemingly to beat each other with sticks, and performing these quite complicated movements quite easily. I thought that I could never do that but quickly realised that these people must have been like me and come into class cold at some time. I was quite fascinated and have remained so ever since.

(Ray)


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)


Despite doing a lot of yoga my balance was very poor. Sifu Waller's tai chi has improved my balance immensely. Strength has improved without exertion. Much more body awareness.

(Chris)