What to Expect from Classes
Training to suit your area of interest
You can choose to attend a typical three hour training session as though it were one long class, however, training will be broken up into distinct hourly sessions with the focus of each hour being on either qigong, taijiquan, baguazhang, combat drills and applications, or weaponry, as per the scheduled timetable.
The purpose of this is so you could choose to train only in the 'healing aspects' of the art (eg. Qigong and forms), or the 'self-defence aspects' (eg combat drills and applications). Having said that, please realise that the internal arts are a complete package, and one part is empty without the other.
Learn as fast, or as slowly, as you like
You set the pace for your own learning. I have some students that even after years enjoy going over and over the basic forms. Others have the inclination and ability to absorb new information quickly, which is perfectly acceptable, and the tools are available to do this..
I personally like to present a range of training methods and drills in class, while giving plenty of attention to the foundation forms as well. It is not uncommon to feel initially overwhelmed and overloaded with too much information! However, please realise that this is a cumulative, circular kind of learning, in which time and repetition are the great teachers.
Whenever possible, we will train outdoors. Dress appropriate to the weather!
In order to better commune with nature, and enhance our qi, the fresh air and sunshine of outdoor training is King. It is much easier to attune to the natural cycles of the earth when training outdoors. Most classes are timed to be held during sunrise and sunset, as these are the best times for training.
Realising that some people may not have a constitution robust enough to manage outdoor training in all conditions, I run an indoor class on Friday mornings which is more gentle in nature, and also try to arrange an indoor alternative to use for all classes in the case of extreme inclement weather.
Thursday evenings at the Australian Shiatsu College, 103 Evans St Brunswick, are also indoors, but this is a magnificent space in which to train!
I am upfront about what I can and cannot do, and endeavour to hide nothing and pretend nothing.
Be warned though that the internal arts require internal learning, and accessing parts of ourselves that we may be unaccustomed to in day to day life.
I have heard instructors say that they cannot 'teach' taiji – meaning that they can show the movements, and describe the feeling etc, but that is not enough. To 'learn' taiji you copy and imitate at first, until you become the embodiment of taiji, and then the movement itself becomes the teacher.
No silk uniforms, bowing, formality or ranking
We are all brothers (and sisters!), and equals.
Each has their own story and specialities, but let's practice together in the light-hearted spirit of mutual learning.
We must train to better ourselves, not each other.
In class there are no pretentious silk pyjamas or other fancy dress ups. Just wear comfortable casual clothes as you would in your daily life. If you like, t-shirts with the official WTBA logo are often available at the national and international training camps.
No hidden memberships, fees, charges. Ever.
I charge no annual fees, insurance levies or any of the sort. I aim to be reasonable and transparent with my fees. Also, if people cannot afford to pay I would rather they come and train anyway and we can work something out – just be upfront about it.
I also provide a range of very reasonable payment options to suit your needs, including training from as little as $1.70 per hour!* This is an ideal situation, designed so that the more you choose to train, the better value you get!
* Based on monthly/unlimited plan ($110) and attendance at all 16 hours of classes per week
“No Nonsense” Self-Defence
We practice straightforward, realistic 'non-techniques' and combat drills, which teach reflexive counter-offensive survival based fighting.
This is not a sport. There is no room for points, rules, scoring, sparring, or tap-outs.
The Internal Martial Arts are ruthless and efficient – almost every movement assumes worst case scenario attacks by bigger, stronger, more skilled and more numerous opponents – in turn, we aim for dim mak (death-point) strikes, to the point of overkill.
About the Instructor
Tai Chi and Qigong Background
Steven first took up Tai Chi briefly during his final year in high school. At university he began studying taiji again, this time and completed the 'Advanced Yang Style Routine' in 2000 with the Celestial Tai Chi College of Australia. During this time he also completed studies in the 32 movement 'Classical Sword' (jian), 'Wild Goose Qigong', 'Broadsword' (dao). He also studied the 'Lohan 12 Qigong', 'Shibashi - sets 1 & 2', 'Daoyin Yangshengong', the 'Phoenix Fan', and 'Chen 56 Competition Routine' under Master Chin Min Lian; as well as the 'Long Pole Forms', the 'Lotus' and 'Crane' Qigong forms, Baduanjin, Tai Chi Applications and Instructor Training under Senior Master Eng Chor Khor. Steven trained up to instructor level with Celestial and taught from 2001-2004 at several locations in Brunswick and Moonee Ponds, and additional training at classes in South Yarra, Brighton, Fairfield, Malvern, Box Hill, Ashburton and Blackburn at different times with this school. Steven has continued to pursue further studies in Taiji, Bagua and Qigong, spending time with a number of different schools and teachers.
Steven has learned the Baguazhang Eight Mother Palms and Circle Walking, and Baguazhang Circular Form of Jiang RongQiao, and is currently learning the Linear Bagua Form and bagua weaponry. Steven has also learned some Xingyi Five Element drills to a basic level to complement his training.
Other Training
Steven has studied a number of martial arts including:
(to a moderate level) Hapkido (KHI) and French Vigny Le Canne - single and two-handed cane (Savate Australia); (to a very basic level) Aikido (Aikikai), Wing Chun (WWCKFA), Baton Militaire (Savate Australia).
Steven also includes other health, strength and flexability training into his routine such as Combat Conditioning by Matt Furey and follows the quality exercise principals of greats like Thomas Kurz, Roger Haeske and Pavel Tsatsouline that use the natural movements of the body and its own weight to cultivate 'relaxed strength', and finds this is in harmony with the Taiji principles. Steven has also spent some time studying Hatha Yoga; as well as pranayama, yogic breathing and laughter therapy with Warren Carey at Wellness and Cheer.
Meditation
Steven has had exposure to many styles of meditation including in particular Raja Yoga (Brahma Kumaris), Buddhist, Daoist, and others such as Twin-Hearts, chakra meditation, yoganidra, creative visualisations, self-hypnosis, State Enhanced Exploriation and Learning (SEEL) Techniques, and more. His teaching experienced is derived from time spent teaching volunteer courses in Raja Yoga Meditation and Positive Thinking for the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University in 2004-5, and through his studies in Transpersonal Counselling at the Phoenix Institute of Victoria.
