School of Central Equilibrium – UK
We have several schools around the UK, with a mix of in-person and online classes available, all led by experienced instructors.
Click the tabs on the left to explore.
INSTRUCTORS
Paul Fretter is a senior student of Wee Kee Jin and teaches regular classes in Tàijíquán and Fujian White Crane (Baihequan), both in person in Norwich and online via Zoom. He also leads seminars and workshops throughout the UK and Europe.
Paul has been practising and teaching martial arts since the early 1980s. In 2006, he was awarded the rank of 5th Dan in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do under the tutelage of Bob Honiball. He began studying Tàijíquán with Peter Dobson in 1991 and, in 1997, continued his training (with Peter) under Wee Kee Jin, with whom he has studied ever since.
Since 2007, Paul has devoted his training to Wee Kee Jin’s teachings of Tàijíquán and Fujian Baihequan (White Crane), while continuing his personal practice of Goju-Ryu Karate. He now teaches regular classes in Norwich and online, as well as seminars across the UK and Europe, sharing an approach that emphasises relaxation, balance, internal power, practical martial skill, and the underlying principles that give these traditional arts their depth and effectiveness.
e: paul.fretter@taiji.org.uk | w: https://taiji.org.uk
James Wharfe is a senior student of Paul Fretter and has trained extensively through regular classes and many workshops with Wee Kee Jin. He assists Paul in teaching both Fujian White Crane and Tàijíquán and leads regular Fujian White Crane practice sessions over Zoom from Norwich.
James is known for his thoughtful approach to teaching and his commitment to helping fellow students deepen their understanding and practice.
Wendy Rogers is a senior student of Paul Fretter and has attended many workshops with Wee Kee Jin. She has studied Tàijíquán for many years and assists Paul in teaching regular classes.
Wendy also plays a vital role in the organisation and running of the annual Taiji camps. Working largely behind the scenes, she helps ensure that every aspect of the event runs smoothly, creating a welcoming and supportive environment in which participants can focus on their training. Her care, attention to detail and commitment to looking after everyone have made her an invaluable part of the camps for many years.
Peter Dobson has been practising and teaching Tàijíquán since the 1980s. After meeting Wee Kee Jin in 1996, Peter recognised the exceptional quality of his teaching and invited him to the UK the following year. That invitation marked the beginning of a relationship that has had a lasting influence on the development of Wee Kee Jin’s Taijiquan and Fujian White Crane throughout the UK.
Over the following decades, Peter organised and hosted workshops and regular classes for Wee Kee Jin while continuing to teach extensively himself. Through his dedication as both a teacher and organiser, he introduced many people to the system and helped establish a thriving community of students and instructors across the UK.
A senior student of Wee Kee Jin in both Taijiquan and Fujian White Crane, Peter taught in Norwich for many years and continues to inspire students on both sides of the world, now dividing his time between New Zealand and the UK. Alongside his internal martial arts, Peter was also, for many years, an active boxing coach in Norwich.
e: info@peterdobson.org.uk
Peter Fletcher
Classes are led by Peter Fletcher (Sthirananda), a student of Wee Kee Jin.
T: 0114 234 9994
Venue: Sheffield Buddhist Centre Howard Road, Walkley, Sheffield S6 3RT
Booking:The 10 week courses in Tai Chi run on Monday and Thursday evenings. The courses are very popular. Please find the next course start date in the calendar and contact the centre in advance to book your place with a £10 deposit. Cost: cost £50 (£40 concession).
David Gillon and Bill Rowles run classes in Taijiquan and Fujian White Crane over zoom, and in person in Hertfordshire.
David Gillon has trained in several martial art styles since his early teens. He taught martial arts for many years while also studying and later teaching yoga. David received his teaching certificate from Wee Kee Jin in 2007. For the last few years, he has concentrated solely on the practice of Taiji Quan following the teachings of Wee Kee Jin, and is available for one-to-one tuition on request.
e: dgbca5@googlemail.com
Bill Rowles has trained in several martial arts, starting with judo at the age of 12. While at University, he went on to practise karate, where his association with David began. Later, Bill attained a teacher’s certificate in Iyengar yoga, and 4th dan in Shorinryu karate. In 2005, after David’s introduction, he devoted himself to learning Wee Kee Jin’s Tàijí Quan and White Crane. He received his instructor’s certificate in 2011. After teaching in Germany (Frankfurt area), Bill has returned to the UK to join David in teaching the art.
e: rowlesbill@gmail.com
John Linney has practised Taijiquan since 1997, with Wee Kee Jin since 1999, having been a certified instructor in Wee Kee Jin’s Taijiquan School of Central Equilibrium since 2006. John is registered as an Advanced Instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and teaches with the Tai Chi Lab in Cambridge.
e: contact@taichilab-cambridge.co.uk
t: 0781 841 0677
w: https://www.taichilab-cambridge.co.uk
Tuesdays 6:30pm to 8:00pm, drop-in, all welcome (beginners & experienced)
Lichfield Hall, Lichfield Road, Cambridge CB1 3SJ (map)
Cost: £12/class or £60/6 x class credits
Allan Cunningham started his martial arts training in Judo at the age of 8, and later took up Neija Quan for around 15 years. Since 2001 his passion has been for Taijiquan, as taught by Wee Kee Jin, and he has been an Instructor since 2009. Allan is also a member of the Taiji Union for Great Britain.
T: 07734 841 699
Classes in Bristol are led by Chris Eagle. For more information please contact Chris at ceagle111@gmail.com
Classes in Farringdon, London are run by Ken Olende
I teach Tai Chi beginners’ classes and offer private tuition. I also run classes for pensioners’ groups and have worked with recovering addicts.
I have studied Tai Chi for 20 years and practice Yang style in the tradition of Wee Kee Jin and Master Huang Sheng-Shyan. I am a student of Wee Kee Jin and I teach with the Taijiquan School of Central Equilibrium – UK.
I am registered as an instructor with the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (www.taichiunion.com).
Please visit Ken’s Taiji London website below for details of class times etc
Nagamudra has been studying T’ai chi for nearly 30 years, with the last 15 years with Wee Kee Jin and the Taiji School of Central Equilibrium, and 15 years previously with John Kells at the British Tai Chi Ch’uan Association.
E: nagamudra@onetel.com
T: 01373 463217
Classes in Brighton are led by Dharmakara, a student of Wee Kee Jin.
e: dhdharmakara@googlemail.com
Classes in Lewes are led by Esaias Hobbs
Lewes Tai Chi School of Central Equilibrium
Lewes Subud Centre
Talbot Terrace
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2DS
Tel: 01273 359050
Mob: 07477 865874
Email: taichi@esaiashobbs.com
Web: esaiastaichi.com
Booking: booktaichi.com
The Lewes Tai Chi School of Central Equilibrium was founded by Esaias Hobbs in 2016. Originally based at Beechwood Hall in Cooksbridge, the school moved to the Lewes Subud Centre in 2018. Esaias teaches the 37 Step Short Form as passed to him by his teacher, Wee Kee Jin, whom he first met in 2002 and was able to more fully focus on the training since 2012.
Esaias is dedicated to transmitting his teacher’s pure approach to Tai Chi and sharing this knowledge with those who wish to train. Workshops can be booked here: Book Now.
Current Group Classes
Tuesday Push Hands (partner work): 5.30 pm – 6.45 pm
Friday Beginners (37 Step Short Form): 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm
Friday Intermediates (108 Long Form): 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
Luke Shepherd (1961–) is the principal instructor and founder of Open Palm Taiji and has been a Director of Tai Chi Nation.
Luke is a student of Wee Kee Jin and has been practising Tai Chi since 1981. He lives in South Devon.
I started Tai Chi training in the year Prince Charles and Lady Di tied the knot, MTV was launched with “Video Killed the Radio Star” and Ronald Reagan took oath as 40th President.
I must have needed something with more meaning! I hadn’t even heard of Tai Chi when I attended my first class. I was totally hooked, immediately.
Luke divides his time between teaching Tai Chi, his personal training and his work as a sculptor and bronze caster. His hobbies are playing guitar and gardening.
He offers weekly classes and online Zooms, one-on-one Zooms, workshops throughout the year and a 30-hour Online Tai Chi training course.
Regular classes: Beginners and Intermediate Taiji, Push Hands
Zoom Classes: Beginners and Intermediate, one-on-one, Form Analysis
Workshops: In Devon and by invitation to other areas
Aaron Goodwin
Classes in Exeter are led by Aaron Goodwin. For further details please contact Aaron at:
e: aaron.taiji@hotmail.co.uk
t: 07745 665586