Ged Hawley is a registered instructor with both the International Taiji & Qigong Federation (www.ITQF.com) and the Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain (www.longfei-taiji.co.uk). He is recognised by friends and students as an easy-going Yorkshireman. Although he came to London over 35 years ago the accent is still a giveaway!

Ged has been interested in the martial arts for over forty years and has previously trained in both Shotokan and Shukokai styles of karate.

However, as life has progressed he increasingly sought a more sustainable martial art. Something he could just keep doing. Tai Chi and Qigong have provided the answer.

Ged has trained in both the Yang and Cheng-Man Ch’ing styles of Tai Chi for over 12 years. In this time he has had the opportunity to practice with some of the most senior instructors in the UK, including Simon Watson (Longfei TaiJiQuan Association) and Faye Li Yip (DeyinTaiJiQuan Institute).

Ged is adept in both short and long forms for both styles, and especially enjoys practising the sword, sabre and Taiji-Kung Fu fan forms. Ged also encourages the practice Qigong, regularly introducing these exercise sets to his students including the Ma Wang Dui, Yi Jin Jing, Ba Duan Gin and Xing Yi standing pole.

Whilst teaching students is Ged’s primary focus, his enthusiasm for Tai Chi is infectious as he looks to encourage broader awareness and participation in the arts. To channel this, Ged has joined the Executive Committee of the International Taiji & Qigong Federation. This gives him an integral role in giving local clubs and students exposure to higher quality teaching through a programme of intensive courses and seminars.

So, why not come and give it a go? Look out for classes in Northwood and Pinner