UCT Tai Chi Club was started in 1989/1990 by Dr Michael Lan, an “in-house” student of Dr Lin Feng-Chao, who not only practices Tai Qi but also the other traditional Chinese medicinal practices (acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, etc.) in Cape Town. Subsequently, senior students of Dr Lan, who were not UCT students, filled the position and continued to coach and instruct the new and older students. Since the origin of the club, there have been some five ‘permanent’ coaches who have endeavoured to impart the secrets of Tai Qi, or Taijiquan, to all those who were interested and became regular members.
The club is run by a student committee, elected anew each year. Originally run from the Tennis Clubhouse, now situated in the Martial Arts Room with all the facilities required.
After stumbling around the sentient world for three score and five years, learning Goju Ryu Karate, and a chance meeting with another “traveler”, I discovered the gentle art of Yang Style Tai Qi – or as it is most commonly known Tai Chi - in 1994, as taught by Dr Lin, Feng-Chiao, a direct student of Cheng Man-Ch’ing, and passed on by Dr Michael Lan.
I have been coaching at UCT since 2008. During my term I realised that a ‘different’ approach was needed, and chose to move away, for better or worse, from the very formalised traditions which are often observed in the martial arts world. I chose to maintain the title of Coach, as I have so much more to learn, learning nearly every day, before I can even aspire to any other honorific title. The greatest lesson to learn, which continues to be a struggle:
.png)
