With a background is in Science and Engineering I became interested in the bio mechanics of movement quite early in life. I find the human musculoskeletal structure and neurological system that senses and controls it fascinating. I also had an interest in human psychology from a young age. I have long been intrigued by the relationship between our mindset and how we experience the world around us and our very existence.

In the late 1990s I discovered Tai Chi Chuan. It was exactly what I had been looking for. Martial arts have the potential to offer great benefits in health and wellbeing, as well as self defence of course, but I found Tai Chi in particular emphasised the depth of mind-body connection that I was looking for. It suited me perfectly and I was quickly hooked. I trained under Mark Peters, Principle Instructor of Kaiming Association for Tai Chi Chuan, and became an Instructor in 2006. I registered with the Tai chi Union for Great Britain (TCUGB) and today I am listed as Senior Instructor. My teaching experience ranges from delivering gentle seated sessions for those with limited mobility to club classes with an emphasis on technical detail and martial awareness. Most of my classes over the last 14 years have been community based for clients typically aged 50 plus, focusing on falls prevention, improved mobility, flexibility, and general wellbeing. I enjoy working with this group because the improvements they can make to their movement and general wellbeing through greater awareness, greater understanding, and enhanced mindfulness are hugely rewarding. Anecdotal evidence from thousands of clients across thousands of classes delivered convinces me that my classes have been well worth the effort. I am confident that many class members significantly reduced their risk of falling or injury through their diligent attendance and training.

From 2009 to 2019 I delivered an NHS backed Pulmonary Rehab programme for South Doc Services in south Birmingham. Patients diagnosed with COPD attended a six week course of two sessions per week to improve their fitness and exercise levels, ultimately to enhance their ability to manage everyday life. More recently I delivered weekly Cardiac Rehab sessions for the cardiac team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Seeing patients who believe that their exercise potential is very limited progress to realising that they can actually do far more than they thought is extremely rewarding.

During 2016 and 2017 I was privileged to be involved in a Chi Gong/Tai Chi research project at Birmingham University. The research looked at a number of stress indicators when exercising; in particular endothelial function, which relates to heart and blood vessel response when stressed by exercise. Chi/Chi Gong/Tai Chi exercises were compared to a control group consisting of Zumba Gold classes. The results surprised many as a session of, what is perceived as being slow and gentle, Chi Gong/Tai Chi proved to be as effective as Zumba Gold. The results were presented by Michael Mosley on BBC's Trust Me I'm A Doctor in October 2018.

In 2011, I embarked upon training to become a Hypno-Psychotherapist with the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy. Working one-to-one with clients tuned out to something that I didn't want to do in the long term, but I firmly believe that my psychotherapy training enhanced my group Tai Chi sessions a great deal. My previous Midlands based clients would tell you that my classes are very much more than just movement, and include a great deal of mindset work.

When Covid-19 hit the UK in 2020, and we were instructed to stay home, my classes stopped overnight. When it was periodically permitted to run outdoor exercise sessions I did so in public parks to help keep as many of my existing clients active, and minimise their feelings of isolation. I also took the opportunity in 2020 to train as a Nordic Walking Instructor with British Nordic Walking. This was something that I had wanted to do for some years but had never found the time. Covid-19 created the time. Nordic Walking is an excellent framework for emphasising the mechanics of movement, and it sits nicely next to my Tai Chi training. I have enjoyed introducing people to Nordic Walking and the fantastic benefits it can bring to their physical health, their pattern of walking, and their connection with nature.

Recently I moved to East Devon, a truly beautiful part of the world, where I am keen to build the same level of rapport and relationship with clients that I am used to from the last 14 years.