"The Hands of Light School of Tai Chi and Qi Gong has been established since 1995. The schools founder is Iain Naylor who has been practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong since 1980. The School teaches and supports over 40 regular classes, throughout Tayside and the Scottish Borders. Training courses are offered to health and well-being practitioners. Since 2005, the school has offered yearly culture and training trips to China with our Chinese partner."
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the first of a new generation of martial arts films exposed one of China's greatest treasures, Wudang Mountain, to the world. Nestled in the heart of China in Hubei Province, Wudang Mountain is a famous center for Taoism and is believed to be the birthplace of Tai Chi Chuan. According to legend, Tai Chi (Taiji) was created by Master Zhang San Feng who is reputed to have travelled to Wudang mountain where he applied Taoist principles to the ancient art of kung-fu thus creating Wudang Taiji. Many Taoist temples on the mountain are still active, are protected as a UNESCO registered World Heritage site and are now opening their doors to the world. Inside some of these temples, the internal styles of kung fu - Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua - are still practiced by robed Taoist priests. The Chief Priest of the Wudang Zhang San Feng lineage is Grandmaster Zhong Yun Long, the 14th generation disciple. Our teacher, Master Chen Shiyu is a student of Master Zhong Yun Long, a 15th generation disciple of the San Feng lineage and is the Headmaster of the Wudang Traditional Martial Arts School. Master Chen Shiyu was born in Central China's Hubei Province. In 1993 he left his hometown and travelled to Mt Wudang where he studied with many different teachers for before being honoured to have Grand Master Zhong Yun Long as his teacher. In 1996 Grand Master Zhong chose Master Chen as one of his closest disciples. Since then Chen Shiyu has attained Wudang internal kungfu studying styles which include Taiji sect, Eight Immortal sect, Taiyi sect, Bagua sect, Xuangong sect, Xingyi sect of Wudang style and many methods of Taoist health-preservation. He became a martial arts instructor in 1998 and in March 2000 he won the championship in the Wudangshan Wushu competition. In September 2008, he participated in the Wudang area tryouts for the 3rd World Traditional Wushu Championshiops, and attained first rank in both Taijiquan and staff forms. The Hands of light school led their first trip to Wudang mountain in 2006 and have returned regularly since. In 2009 Iain and Carol travelled to Master Chen’s school to participate in intensive training in San Feng taiji, they returned with a group of students in 2011. In 2012 Master Chen will be visiting Dundee to offer training to our students. Our next culture trip to China will be in 2013 when we will once again travel to Wudang mountain to train with Master Chen. " -Master Chen Shiyu and Wudang 13 forms tai chi |
