About Me (Tai Chi Mat)
About Tai Chi Mat
Matthew Ward
Asian Martial Arts have been a serious passion of mine since 1982. I began studying Tai Chi and Chi Kung in 1997 and have been training in these arts primarily ever since. I began teaching my own classes in 2003 and founded my own school 'Inner Harmony' . I am fully insured and am a registered instructor with the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain. I have also studied and continue to study many closely related arts including Karate, Ninpo, yoga and Taoism as well as various breathing and meditation techniques.
I currently teach my own private classes, work for West Sussex County Council and the Friends Centre project as an adult education tutor. I have experience of teaching a wide range of students and teach all age groups and I teach classes specifically designed for the elderly. I have created and taught specially adapted seated exercise classes that are suitable for those who are less able and/or unable to stand.
Through West Sussex County Council I have recently completed a PTTLS teaching course, am fully CRB checked and am a qualified emergency first aider. I have just completed year one of a Cert Ed teaching diploma which I am studying for part time. This means that I am half way to becoming a professional qualified teacher and of course this continues to have a huge influence on my developing teaching style.
Over the years I have trained with many teachers notably Simon Robins for many years. Simon studied with John Eastman who was one of Cheng Man Ching's senior students. I have attended seminars with other teachers including Sam Massich and Franco Mescola and have played 'pushing hands' with the European champion, as well as the Italian, Swedish and Dutch national champions at various Tai Chi events. I am continuing with my study of Traditional Japanese Martial arts and have been training in Genbukan Ninpo and Kokusai Jujutsu at the Samurai Arts Centre with Sensei Stuart Allison since 2008.
In the future as well as continuing with my professional teaching studies, I am looking forward to continuing my yoga training with the talented teacher Sabine Dahn, and attending workshops in other styles of Tai Chi and Chi Kung, various Tai Chi weapons forms as well as in the closely related art of Bagua.
My Classes
My classes are taught in a down-to-earth and professional manner. There is nothing esoteric or mysterious and everything is taught in a Western and scientific way. There is vary little Chinese to learn and no religion to convert. Absolutely anyone can learn this wonderful art and learn practical self-help skills to relax and enrich their lives.
Students can choose to study both martial and/or medical Chi Kung and the 'Cheng Man Ching' (Yang style) short form. I also make use of warm-up exercises and 'standing Chi Kung' as well as many meditation and breathing techniques in all my classes. Students can learn the Martial applications of the art and practical self defence with 'Pushing Hands' (Tai Chi's partner work or gentle sparring).
How To Join
Anyone interested in attending classes can contact me for dates and times. I am always looking for new students to join my existing classes as well as the opportunity to start new classes. I am also available for smaller group work or one-to-one private lessons. County Council and Friends centre classes run for either 10 or 20 weeks and further details are available through these services or through me. New classes and private lessons are also available. Please contact me for further details or enquiries to arrange these.