Tai Chi Instructor

Boz Odusanya

I have been involved and training Taiji for over 20 years. The first style of Taiji I practiced was Wu style. The teacher at that time was David Barrow from Sheffield UK. I was taught under him for at least 7-8 years. I have been teaching Taiji ever since the early years - I spent many years looking around for the teacher (at times I thought I had found him/her).

I have created an interactive CD which a beginner - intermediate Wu stylist can learn/improve their knowledge within Wu Style Wu Taichi / and also a Qigong DVD Qigong . - Please e-mail if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

I had the invitation to train with other Taiji teachers from an assortment of different styles, (eg. Workshops arranged by the Taiji Union of Great Britain which had many teachers of different styles; To be taught by Joe Fung Sung Hung of Malaysia; to be part of the school of Ma Bo (Ma Yeuh Liang son), However none of these opportunities felt right for me to accept.

My current teacher is Patrick Kelly . who had been the student of Grandmaster Huang Sheng Sheng for over twenty years. Unbelievably Patrick had also been blessed with the good fortune to be taught on occasions by Master Ma Yeuh Liang and receive clarification and instruction on the correctness and quality of his Taiji. He teaches the internal aspect of the Tai qi.

I have taught for:
-- Adult education in Greenwich; Kidbrooke (London); Matlock - HopeValley (Derbyshire), Sheffield, Chesterfield.
-- Health centres in Chesterfield and Sheffield. I have taught in
-- Both the Universities in Sheffield.
-- Private institutions, such as Rotary club, Womens Assoc, Afro Caribbean
-- NHS- Adult Mental health; also Older adult functional and organic.


What stimulated your interest in Taiji?
I used to practice shotokan karate for 3 years from the age of 15. Then I started to get interested in kung fu (Bruce Lee was great - but the films that got me hooked was ‘King Boxer' and ‘Ten fingers of steel'). I am not interested in fighting, only the idea of self defense. When I was in my early twenties I was introduced to Tai chi, At first I did not know what Taiji was - but when told about it, it was explained as being spiritual, tranquil and peaceful. So the interest was spurred with the promise of positive outcomes.

What does Tai Ji mean to you?
Tai Ji enables me to (on good days) connect with my inner sensations and have a glimpse of the relative truths of this reality (anyway on the down side it just feels good - it inspires me with positive insights about me/the meaning of life/about all/above all CONTENTMENT).

Personal Goals in Tai Ji?
I would like to teach full time. That is 2/3 hours teaching a day - rest of time practicing tai chi for 1/2 hours personal training and then living life to the full with Taiji osmositised (integrated) in my being. Patrick Kelly has lit that spark in me for discovery and motivation to pursue the deep mind leading to self development and true insights. Therefore, my main goal is for Taiji to be integrated naturally in every aspect of my life both within the inner and outer dimensions.

Who or what inspired me?
Many people - Life - Just being. Patrick without a doubt inspires me - but then a lot of my Taiji partners inspire me.

What do you make of Tai Ji current popularity?
It is starting to get popular in the UK. Tai chi Union of Great Britain is helping to make more people to become aware of Tai chi. Tai chi is being percieved as a general health (wellbeing) enhancer.

As a teacher what do you feel about the martial aspect of the art?
I think it's good if you can do it. To be able to use a strong intention - fluid body - and internal energy. YES! Fantastic if you can do it without losing teeth and breaking bones. For the martial aspect to come to the forefront when you are in desperate danger of being seriously physically damaged by outside forces.

What are your views on competition?
I did enter the Great British pushing hands in 1986 and to my surprise I won. However the pushing hands were very physical and really lacked the principles as the taiji classics state. So now years later I am not interested - competition it appears keeps you at a physical (superfical) level. Not that there is anything wrong with that - because that can feel good and promote the building of your self esteem. However its not complementing the direction and focus of where I believe I want to go with Taiji (achieve).

What direction would you like to see Tai Ji going in the future?
I would like to see Taiji integrated in all levels of the community. As a medicine - Taiji can be powerful in building a person self belief (self esteem - psychosocial functions); help with balance - help people with falling and fear of falling. Without a doubt - my strongest goal ‘Realization and exceptance of the Deep Mind to lead towards my personal self development to interact in a harmonious way within the world and universe. I would like to see the quality of myself as a Tai Chi instructor improve, and that of my fellow Tai Chi instructors improve.