Sifu Waller
Kung fu instructor
     

classes     qigong     tai chi     kung fu     about us     reviews     a-z

  

Professional

• 54 years old
• 48 years martial arts experience
• Professionally qualified teacher (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)
• Differentiated syllabus
• Fully insured
• Teaching since 1995
• Committed 18 years to full-time teaching and practice


Kung fu (Chinese boxing) instructor
Sifu Waller is an experienced kung fu instructor. He has a background in judo, ju jitsu, karate, baguazhang and wing chun, and offers a very pragmatic tai chi syllabus.
His sessions are stimulating, fun and non-macho.
He only teaches martial students and has no interest in 'qi'.
 

Sifu Waller is not only an exceptional martial artist, he's also a skilled and very patient teacher.

(Eddie)

What does Sifu Waller teach?

Sifu Waller offers a wide variety of skills:

  1. An advanced version of the old Yang style tai chi chuan (dynamic balancing boxing)

  2. Chin na (seizing)

  3. Shuai jiao (take downs)

  4. Neigong (whole-body strength)

  5. Jing (whole-body power)

  6. Weapons

  7. Martial skill

  8. Biomechanics

  9. Self defence

  10. Martial principles

  11. Qigong

  12. Form

  13. Pushing hands

  14. Principles

  15. Taoism

  16. Brain work (meditation, awareness, metacognition)

  17. Zen

  18. Taoist yoga

  19. Core strength exercises

 

How it all started...

Sifu Waller's interest in martial arts began with the 1972 TV series Kung Fu (starring David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine). He was intrigued by the quiet, contemplative way of life, the polite manners, ancient philosophies... and of course the martial arts. His lessons began in 1975. In 1983 the TV documentary The Way of the Warrior introduced Sifu Waller to tai chi chuan, inspiring him to seek out instruction with the best instructor in the region.


A lot of practice

In the mid 1970's Sifu Waller started martial arts training; both in class and daily at home. During the 1980's and 1990's Sifu Waller attended up to five different lessons a week, sometimes travelling over 40 miles for tuition. He also attended a considerable number of workshops around the UK.


Martial arts experience

As a boy and a young man, Sifu Waller trained a lot of wing chun, judo and ju jitsu. He became very fond of the grappling arts. He enjoyed learning many different kinds of martial arts before focusing on the advanced version of the old Yang style tai chi. His studies included judo, karate, ju jitsu, aikido, iaido, pencat silat, tangsoodo, wing chun, shuai jiao, chin na, pak mei, yiquan, xingyiquan, bagua and various styles of tai chi chuan.
 

Sifu has an air of quiet, lethal confidence. A bit like a cat, sitting looking at you calmly and apparently friendly, but just as likely to attack and do serious damage....anyone with any sense should pick up on it.

(Julia Pattison)

Peter Southwood

For 20 years Sifu Waller was the lineage student of the renowned teacher Peter Southwood; undertaking his bai shi and tea ceremony in 1990. He had more than 500 private lessons with Peter, along with weekly classes and workshops.


Teaching experience

Instructor for Bradford Yang Style Association 1995-1999. Instructor for Dynamic Balancing Boxing 1999-2004. Instructor for Newcastle Tai Chi 2004-present day.
In 1996, Sifu Waller obtained a post-graduate professional teaching qualification from The University of Leeds.
He was an instructor with The World Taiji Boxing Association between 1997-2004 and The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain between 2002-2023.

What does Sifu mean?

Sifu means instructor/teacher. It is akin to the Japanese title 'sensei' but more informal and friendly.


Scholar

The practical fighting skills of tai chi will not work without the requisite principles underpinning the art. Tai chi chuan is based upon a complex theoretical foundation, and an instructor must have considerable understanding of the background material, anatomy and other martial arts. Sifu Waller holds an honours degree in literature and a post-graduate certificate in education. He is particularly adept at metacognition.


 Married

 Sifu Waller is married to Rachel.


Body work professional

 Sifu Waller also has decades of experience with yoga, Alexander Technique, Pilates, core strength, partnered massage and self-massage.


Sifu Waller’s skills are immense and it is a privilege to be taught at such a high level.

(Brian)

Webmaster

Sifu Waller is responsible for designing, building and writing the content of this website. He manages all aspects of the site; including hosting, marketing and keeping the material accurate and up-to-date.

        

contact details     Sifu Waller     rachel waller

Page created 8 May 1996
 Last updated 26 October 2023

▲