mEET THE INSTRUCTOR
ASHLEY CHEESEMAN
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How many years have you been practicing Tai Chi?
I’ve been training in Tai Chi for over 32 years now and have run my own schools since September 1998, and I still have my 1st-ever student training at one of our other classes local to her. She actually came to Hong Kong with a group of students from Orpington in Kent in September 2019. This class was formed in August of 2012. In December 2012, we formed the Five Elements Group, which is a blessing as we get to share our teachings between ourselves at our training sessions, and when running our workshops, the students get the best of 5 Instructors and a growing Seven Pillars new instructor group. |
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What stimulated your interest?
It was actually my local doctor, after some changes in my life I had stopped going to the gym that we trained at and was actually becoming aggressive. My doctor suggested to me that I try Tai Chi or swimming. Luckily for us I took up Tai Chi rather than swimming. What does Tai Chi mean to you? This is a way of life within the realms of a normal life and it’s not just in the class or when training. I get to use everything 24/7 it helped my career go from strength to strength. Do you have any personal goals with Tai Chi? Since leaving my old institute I have focused on the students and what’s best for them and how to grow the school to benefit their lives and share with them what I’ve been taught. |
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Who or what inspired you?
I have always had a teaching background from when I was in the Army cadets at the age of 12 years old to when I joined the Army and held the rank of Sargent. In all my other jobs I have had, promotion seems to follow me. My interest in martial art goes back to David Carradine from the Kung Fu series & Jackie Chan. My inspiration now day’s comes from meeting other instructors and sharing my knowledge and learning from them. As a teacher how do you feel about the martial aspects of Tai Chi? Personally I think is very important that students understand where the art form comes from, I actually teach my students both the soft aspect and the hard aspect of what each move is. Some people actually react better to knowing the martial side of the art form where as others prefer the soft side giving people both I think is very important. In my class I teach the Tai Chi forms and Qigong routines 1st so they understand and feel the chi and only then take them on to any applications or weapons training. |
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What are your views on competitions?
Competitions are a personal preference. When I visited a very great friend of mine who has since sadly passed away. Her house was full of trophies from Tai Chi competitions. When Linda asked me how many competitions I’ve competed in I said none and to this day. I have only entered one competition and proved my point. What direction would you like to see Tai Chi take in the future? It’s always a good question and yes I would like to see Tai Chi in schools but it’s also being taught in many company’s now. Which is great and used in Hospitals for recovery. |
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Training Abroad?
I have been to Hong Kong 3 times now with my students to do training and do sightseeing and I regularly train with other instructors from the countries we visit for family holidays. |
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