Instructors
Principal Instructor
Alan Baker BSc PGCE (FE) MRTCM
Member of Chinese Internal Arts Association
Member of the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts
Beginning his Taiji (Tai Chi) study in 1985 Alan originally studied Yang Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) in Oxford under Richard Druitt, now of Puerto Rico. Since then he has studied under various teachers both in the U.K. and China (visits in 1996, 2001, 2003). For the last twenty five years he has been studying Chen Style Taijiquan with Karel and Eva Koskuba of the Chinese Internal Arts Association. In 2018 Alan became an indoor student (Descipal) of Karel and Eva, 20th generation Chen family lineage disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang. Whilst working as a tutor for Oxfordshire Adult Learning (1990-2007) Alan undertook professional Teacher Training, graduating with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Further Education) in 2000. This was very useful training for all aspects of teaching, with well structured lessons catering for all learning styles.
Alan has attended annual seminars and workshops with some of the top Taijiquan practitioners in the world, including Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang, Master Chen Bing, Master Chen Yin Jung, Master Wang Hao Da, Master Jan Silberstorf and Mike Sigman.
Training seminars with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang 2006 - 2014 and even earlier when still not grey :)
As well as Chansijin (silk reeling) Tui Shou (Push hands) Ta Lu and Qigong, Alan can teach:
Yang Style Short Form
Yang Style Long Form
Chen Style Laojia (Old Frame)
Chen Style Xinjia (New Frame)
Chen Style Xinjia Pao Choi (Cannon Fist)
Taiji Jian (Straight Sword)
Taiji Dao (Sabre)
Chen Bing Thirteen Posture form.
Chen Bing Harmony Form
Training seminars with Master Chen Bing 2014 - 2024 (Greece, Poland, Bulgaria, UK, Turkey and Argentina)
Indoor Student (Disciple) Status Ceremony - with Karel and Eva Koskuba 2018
The hills are alive with the silence of..... Qigong
Although Alan leads classes, students are often split into small groups and sometimes taught by more senior students. If you attend classes you might, at some point, be taught by more senior students/instructors.
Louis sword.MOV