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The Teacher
Alex Swainson is the local instructor, teaching full-time
in and around Guildford. Alex has been studying Tai Chi
since 2004, but did not truly understand the potential
of the art until 2006, when he met Master John Ding.
Amazed by the profound changes experienced during a
week long retreat working under his new teacher, he
started to train intensively, devoting more and more
time to the art before dedicating himself entirely to Tai
Chi in July 08. He has become an experienced teacher
in a relatively short period of time, having spent 700+
hours teaching over 250 people aged 18-80 during the last two years.
Alex is authorised by Master Ding to teach Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.
His main aim as a teacher is to create the right environment for students to
progressively gain an understanding of Tai Chi principles through feeling
(i.e. actual experience of applied Tai Chi forces) to enhance their quality of life
and wellbeing. To do this, Alex frequently demonstrates applied postures,
movements and principles via exchange of hands (Gau Sau) with his students.
Students also test each other in a non-competitive and supportive way.
This gives both student and teacher confidence that principles are being applied
correctly and therefore optimum benefit can be drawn from the practice; that is,
with sufficient care and dedication, of course! It is all too easy to waste time
practising Tai Chi incorrectly; through this approach Alex aims to minimise wasted
effort.
Student feedback on Alex’s classes is available here.
Training Profile*
Total time under instruction: Over 900 hours**
Total time spent teaching: Over 700 hours
Training undertaken per week: 20-25 hours
Teaching undertaken per week: 13-15 hours
One Day Workshops: 14
Tai Chi Instructors Weekend Courses: Jun 07; Jun, Nov, Dec 08, Dec 09
One Week Retreats: Dec 06; Aug and Dec 07 (open); Apr 08, 09 (instructors)
* Refers to training undertaken since November 2006 with the John Ding Academy.
** Refers to total amount of class time learning under Master Ding and his senior instructors.
Figures last updated 29 Oct 09.
since 2004, but did not truly understand the potential
of the art until 2006, when he met Master John Ding.
Amazed by the profound changes experienced during a
week long retreat working under his new teacher, he
started to train intensively, devoting more and more
time to the art before dedicating himself entirely to Tai
Chi in July 08. He has become an experienced teacher
in a relatively short period of time, having spent 700+
hours teaching over 250 people aged 18-
Alex is authorised by Master Ding to teach Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan.
His main aim as a teacher is to create the right environment for students to
progressively gain an understanding of Tai Chi principles through feeling
(i.e. actual experience of applied Tai Chi forces) to enhance their quality of life
and wellbeing. To do this, Alex frequently demonstrates applied postures,
movements and principles via exchange of hands (Gau Sau) with his students.
Students also test each other in a non-
correctly and therefore optimum benefit can be drawn from the practice; that is,
with sufficient care and dedication, of course! It is all too easy to waste time
practising Tai Chi incorrectly; through this approach Alex aims to minimise wasted
effort.
Student feedback on Alex’s classes is available here.
Training Profile*
Total time under instruction: Over 900 hours**
Total time spent teaching: Over 700 hours
Training undertaken per week: 20-
Tai Chi Instructors Weekend Courses: Jun 07; Jun, Nov, Dec 08, Dec 09
One Week Retreats: Dec 06; Aug and Dec 07 (open); Apr 08, 09 (instructors)
* Refers to training undertaken since November 2006 with the John Ding Academy.
** Refers to total amount of class time learning under Master Ding and his senior instructors.
Figures last updated 29 Oct 09.
