Monday

I've done some martial arts before including tai chi but Sifu Waller's syllabus is so beyond anything I've seen it's ridiculous! Practically all my previous training has not helped me at all and I'm just grateful I found Sifu Waller when I did. Having trained (on and off) for over 14 years in tai chi I know that Sifu Waller is one of a kind in his commitment to his students, and really respect his approach. What I really like about the class is its friendly atmosphere with excellent teaching and a clear syllabus that means everyone makes progress. It’s challenging but accessible. Everything is explained to the level you want and obviously Sifu Waller really demonstrates what is possible in the art. As a school teacher I am continually impressed with Sifu Waller's teaching system, resources and the time he takes with classes. I often feel like emailing him to thank him for another outstanding lesson but a) this could happen most weeks and b) I do actually feel guilty for not being a good enough student. What I find most amazing about the syllabus is how everything is interlocking and interconnected.

(Tim, maths teacher)

I feel stronger and much more supple. Get less aches and pains, flexibility greatly improved. Also feel mentally stronger and more relaxed. More relaxed when dealing with attackers. Unlike other martial arts, Sifu Waller's taijiquan is extremely pragmatic with regards realistic attacks. The training is friendly and relaxed yet still effective. There is no pressure put upon the individual. You train at your own pace and progress as you wish. Everyone in the class is treated the same, there are no favourites or cliques like most martial arts classes.

(Dave Gibbons) 

I have been training for just over a year and taijiquan to me has become a lot more than a weekly class, the complex movements have increased my awareness of my body at work and during mundane tasks around the house. When lifting heavy loads at work I have found that I can adjust my posture to spread the load across more muscle groups to relieve stress from my shoulders and lower back, reducing strain and injury minimises fatigue and by the end of the day I feel more energetic and not like I've been beaten up.

(Steve)

The class has opened up a completely new world to me. The experience has been and continues to be quite fascinating, learning something new with every class whilst revisiting previous applications and improving on existing skills. I am stronger, more supple, possess more stamina and have an overall feeling of well being. Niggling minor injuries - elbow, knee, groin have cleared up. My weight has remained fairly constant about 14st 7lb but my BMI has reduced from 28/29% to 24/25%. I used to have regular acupuncture treatment for a long standing back problem although this is no longer necessary (saving £150/£200 per annum). Training the taijiquan martial arts has given me an inner calm, confidence and awareness. If I was confronted in a hostile situation I feel much more capable of dealing with this either mentally or physically than I ever did. The class is challenging both mentally and physically. It is not for the faint hearted or the weak willed. Sifu Waller is firm, fair and very encouraging with those students who make an effort.

My objectives when wishing to take up taijiquan were to improve my fitness, flexibility and learn some basic self defence skills. These objectives are being achieved and are ongoing and improving. taijiquan is now a significant part of my daily life both training the physical aspect and also incorporating the associated thinking and mentality. I consider it to be a pleasure and a privilege to be part of Sifu Waller’s taijiquan class.

(Ray)

I enjoy the taijiquan class, training under Sifu Waller, working in a very professorial atmosphere with friendly students.

(Vivienne) 

I feel extremely lucky to have found a martial arts class where integrity and being a nice person matters, this is missing from every class I have ever attended.

(Dave G)

Having looked around for Tai Chi lessons for mainly health but also martial applications, what I found immediately obvious with Sifu Waller was the practical "Real" teaching; None of the flowery waving arms about, but real scientifically provable methods to aid health and engage martial capability. Having joined the class I find it great to train in an environment where everything I do can be explain in an absolute and scientific way; be demonstrated to be workable and when actually done see the results for myself. In my life free time is in short supply; I want a class where I get value for money and concentrated pure teaching, our class meets both these objectives.

(Damian)

Sifu Waller is one of these men that you respect as soon as you meet him just by his behaviour. 

(Cedric)

Definitely worth studying and in terms of practicing the art, Sifu Waller is bewildering (in a good and incredibly impressive way).

(Dr David Cousins)

Sifu Waller and Rachel treat everyone in the class with great politeness and respect.

(Dave)

I like that there's no macho, aggressive attitude in the class, and that everyone is helpful and respectful of one another.

I also like the structure of the class, and the clear syllabus that lets you see how you're progressing.

(Joel)

Working with Sifu Waller is excellent, we really enjoy it and it is so interesting to see how the form and foundation work develops into the martial work. It's interesting that the more you learn the more everything makes sense! I felt great after the class and couldn't actually sleep as I was going over the things we had learnt in my head! It was very empowering to be able to complete the same exercises as the larger males and not feel at a disadvantage. My height came in quite useful in some of them! I was surprised how little force was required. It's a great group of people to work with.

(Amelia)

Your school is unlike anything else I have experienced. In over 12 years of studying taijiquan and qigong at various schools around the UK, only Sifu Waller's class demonstrates and is able to teach the integral, internal aspects of taijiquan that allow it to be used to its true potential as a martial art. It has been a rare privilege to experience the depth of knowledge and practical skill offered by Sifu Waller, and I would recommend anyone who has the good fortune to be able to attend his classes to do so without hesitation.

(Rob)

I like the classes because I know I'm entering a healthy zone.

I've done a lot of travelling, learning, and philosophizing in my life and what I like about your classes is their integrity. I like the total absence of bullshit. By observing the way my body does or doesn't move each week, I'm able to see where the problems are in every other aspect of my life. For this I'm very grateful.

(Ian)

I very much enjoy your sessions - without any false flattery, you have been the best instructor I have had for any martial art. Your commitment, patience and dedication to the art and your students is something that I believe many instructors should aspire to. To your credit Sifu Waller, you have shown me something that has I did not expect to find in taijiquan... a comprehensive fighting system in itself. I wish the rest of the MA community would wake up and see what you see.

(Stuart)

I'm thoroughly enjoying the training; it is on a completely different level to anything I've done previously.

(Simon)

Sifu Waller teaches a complete syllabus which develops body mechanics, martial application and mental development in a way which I would not have believed before starting! Like so many others in the class, I just wish I had found it earlier!

(Dr Ben Beattie)

Our class is like Alexander the Great teaching Dad's Army. Sifu Waller's not even trying. It's unbelievably powerful and looks like nothing. It's beyond impressive. 

(Karen)

One of the good things about the class is the atmosphere of respect and camaraderie. It is good to feel safe when practicing a martial art. It has affected my day to day life in the fact that I'm more aware of how I use and misuse my body on a daily basis which is particularly relevant to me because I have a physical job. It has also helped me to remain calmer in certain stressful situations.

(Marc)

Sifu Waller is not only an exceptional martial artist, he's also a skilled and very patient teacher. His approach to teaching is structured and methodical but is also rational - founded on physics and biomechanics rather than mysticism and esoteric concepts of energy flow. His taijiquan works, he can explain why it works, he proves it works, and he can teach you to make it work too!

(Eddie)