Relaxed in stillness, powerful in action

My name is Paul Chapman. I’m a tai chi and kung fu teacher working with people’s posture, movement and breathing to restore healthy balance and help them move in an effortlessly powerful way.

I have 40 years experience and training in these arts and through constant experimentation I have a unique perspective on my art.

I believe there are very few people who know more about how to change your posture and breathing to help you let go of your tensions, calm your mind and move with a fluid, effortless power. I learned these skills through the Jade Dragon School now based in Berkshire.

The Jade Dragon School teaches tai chi and eight animal kung fu styles from beginner to advanced levels. I teach deeper, more advanced skills than most other schools. My training has helped well over a thousand people become less stressed, more mobile and reduce a wide range of chronic health conditions.

I took over the school in 2003 but its origins lie in a temple on the slopes of the Jade Dragon snow mountain in South West China. The temple isn’t there any more but I keep the traditions and training alive.

When I first joined the school I saw my master, this little old man performing apparent miracles. I couldn’t believe such a small, elderly man could have so much power and could move so quickly without ever getting tired or out of breath. He could effortlessly throw guys around who were 2-3 times his size. I wanted to know how that was possible.

I realised that all I had learned about health and fitness was only a small part of the story and I wanted to know more.

In essence I teach people how to use their body. How to hold it and move it with that same effortless power. We work on breathing, posture, visualisations, energy, rooting, mindfulness, philosophy, meditation and so on.

Teaching my first class was challenging. I tried to give too much and ended up confusing the students who didn’t last long. I quickly learned how to take just one small element and break it down so they could understand it.

I experimented constantly to see what worked and what worked better. The smallest changes in how you hold and move your body can make a massive difference. My students love my demonstrations and I now feel I’m approaching the skill levels of my own Master though its taken me over 20 years of experimentation to get there.

I now teach tai chi and kung fu classes throughout Central and East Berkshire. I also offer personal training, online courses and this year for the first time I am also running two retreats.