About Chris
Perhaps, I will start out by telling you what I am not so you get a better sense of who I am and my approach to Tai Chi.
I am not a master of Tai Chi or an expert on Tai Chi nor can I change your life with our products or services. That’s really up to you.
What I am is a fellow who is a teacher of Tai Chi and have a great passion for Tai Chi.
I believe my strength lies in being able to make the language and movements of Tai Chi easier to understand for those who are curious about or beginning Tai Chi.
I started my Tai Chi in 1987 by joining a Wu style club in Blackburn, Melbourne Australia. It was then a member of the Australian Federation of Wu Style Tai Chi.
I spent 7 years there, progressing through the ranks, and in 1994 set up my own Tai Chi club in Olinda, near where I live.
For the next 7 years I taught at Olinda. And I taught short courses in Tai Chi (the short form re; my book) , Chi Kung (8 Golden Treasures), Women’s Self Defence and personal development programs at TAFE colleges and Community Houses.
Around the mid nineties I was fortunate enough to help set up the Melbourne Push Hands Club which is still going today. The club is open to everyone, including internal and external martial artists to test their skills in freestyle push hands and is strictly controlled for safety reasons.
I also and still do professional speaking on the health and wellbeing and run Conference Energizer sessions for various organisations.
Around 2003 I started to develop and run workshops for secondary schools for Year 11/12 students on wellbeing the Tai Chi way. And now have programs for Year 9 and Year 10 students also.
Three years ago I created ‘Pozitive Kidz are happy kidz’ workshops and programs for primary school P-6 students; which builds self esteem from a Tai Chi perspective.
And I have adapted all the student programs when required to suit specifc students who exhibit difficult behaviours. These workshops have smaller numbers so more teaching time can be spent with students.
Oh, this is the ego part, I’ve also self published, Tai Chi: A Step-by-Step Guide to Complete Relaxation and developed a series of Chi Charts with Sue James’ help.
If you go to our business website BJ Seminars International you will see the work I do with my colleague, Sue James.
I hope this gives you an idea of who I am.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
like your message and approach. continued success!
Thanks. Always good to get feedback. I thought I was the only person reading my blog
I am a 60 yr old male. I have allways been interested in martial arts – in particular the more scientific & spiritual streams such as Aikido, Tai Chi . I have been researching “push hands” and I am really fascinated by the non violent i.e. self defence aspects of this martial art.
Am I dreaming to consider studying Tai Chi & the associated Push Hands at my age?
I am very strong and fit albeit a bit overweight and was a A grade athlete in a former life.
Any advice on how to approach learning without being considered
crazy would be welcome. I live in East Kew in Melbourne.
Cheers Ray
G’day Ray
You’re never too old to start Tai Chi and/or the Push Hands component of it. You may like to check out http://www.taichiinkew.com/ who run Tai Chi out your way in Kew. They’re friends of mine who I trained with, many years ago. Also this post may be of interest to you http://chrischi.com.au/a-guide-to-free-style-push-hands/
Regards
Chris
Hello my name is Joseph Franklin. I am a fellow pratitioner. I am a devote student practicing everyday when I can, family permitting and want to know if your when through some discomfort in your lower back when you became more advanced in the form? I am almost through the 108 long form of wu style. I make sure all my tenants are good, but my lower back is um hurting…probably should listen to my body and relax for a few days. Thanks
G’day Joseph. It’s good to meet a fellow practioner of the Wu Style Tai Chi. I haven’t had any back trouble practicing the Wu form since I started many years ago. I hope your back is better and good luck in your Tai Chi journey. Regards, Chris
Dear Chris,
Just wondering is the Melbourne Push hands Club still running at Box Hill? If so, when is it on and how much does it cost?? I don’t seems to be able to find any info on the net. I am very interested in starting to learn tai chi espeically push hands.
Thank you very much.
G’day Charlie
I’m not sure if the ‘Melbourne Push Hands’ club is still runnng at the Box Hill Community Arts Centre http://www.bhcac.com.au/ – it’s been a few years since I was involved. If you check your local area for Tai Chi you may find a teacher who also teaches Push Hands. Good luck in your search.
Regards
Chris