Peter Southwood's main baguazhang influence is a man called Wang Shujin.

A kung fu student needs to have good character. They are held to a higher standard than other people.

Courtesy, manners, politeness and honesty are standard. Moral conduct and restraint are also expected.
It is important to take responsibility for what you are learning and show consideration to others who are less fortunate than you.

These may sound like old fashioned values but the martial arts tradition is an ancient one; and its values have proven their worth over the centuries.

Right conduct, courage, benevolence, respect, honour and self discipline are all a given in our classes.

Increased effectiveness is produced by gravity and heaviness in the striking limb, rather than pushing harder or striking faster.

Spontaneity is the key to fa jing. 

A tense body - with habitual holding patterns - will not provide an adequate conduit for kinetic energy to pass through.
If you can feel your own body moving, you are too tense. You should feel only the movement itself.

A free body is capable of striking instantly and spontaneously.

Fa jing looks fast but it is not a matter of speed. It is loose and sudden, not fast.
By relaxing the muscles and joints fully, the body is capable of spontaneous movement.
This is what makes fa jing seem fast - no preparation, no tensing-up beforehand.
Instant energy release.

The more advanced application of shuai jiao is abrupt and damaging.
The aim is to take the skills and reduce the time it takes to employ them.

Ultimately, it is is all about spontaneity.

There is nothing mystical or unscientific about 'fa jing'.
Despite the exotic Chinese name, it is simply a question of body mechanics, gravity, distance and timing.

It will not develop overnight but the seeds should emerge as the belts darken in colour, grow during the black belt level and flourish within the advanced syllabus.

Sifu Waller's main kung fu teacher is called Peter Southwood.Sifu Waller taught in Peter's class (Pathways To Change) and trained with him privately every week between 1990 - 2004.In 2004 Sifu Waller moved to the North East but still sees Peter as often as possible.

Over the years Sifu Waller has been to many workshops with Peter and is a regular guest at Peter's house.
They have explored the art at length and had countless debates/discussions/conversations concerning the nature of tai chi.
Much of our syllabus is derived from Peter's teachings.

Grappling can be used to counter punches and kicks.
It ties the attacker up and allows the student to take their root.

Internal shuai jiao uses the skills learned in pushing hands: balance, listening, rhythm, stickiness and timing.
Various jing skills can also be used.

The tai chi forms contain many shuai jiao applications.

Our school practices the Jiang Rong Qiao style of bagua, which is martial in nature and also good for health.
Baguazhang/bagwa/pakua means '8 trigram palm'.
It is a style of kung fu based upon the I Ching.

Sifu Waller holds a post-graduate professional teaching qualification.

Qualified instructor:

1. Pathways To Change (1995 - 2004)
2. The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (2004 - present day)
3. Newcastle Tai Chi (2004 - present day)

You have said it, but you have not understood.

(Jesus of Nazareth)