Jan’s story
Jan Golden started tai chi in 1992 in Dublin. Since then, he has worked with about a dozen masters, some famous, others not so much. Along the way, he learned Chinese Medicine, some Chinese (but not enough), performed a dissection, did a science degree, taught thousands of students, and trained continuously with his mentor, Chris Chappell. Here are some of the masters.
Shanghai 2005
Grand Master Tian Yin Jia was the son of Tian Zhao Lin, who was adopted into the the most famous Tai Chi family in China, the Yangs. His stepfather was Yang Jien Hou and his stepbrother was Yang Cheng Fu. He was fully trained in the secret form, the Small Frame, that was not taught to the public. Jan was inducted as a Tudi, or disciple, and learned the Middle Frame, which is the larger precursor to the Small Frame. Grand Master Tian died before passing on the secret of the Small Frame, but Jan and Chris got it from Master Bob Boyd.
Crete, 1999. Where it all took off.
The man on the far right is Dr. Alan Peatfield, who was my first teacher. Through him I got to know Bruce Frantzis, third from the left, a controversial but unmistakably talented martial artist, versed in Tai Chi, Xing Yi and especially Ba Gua. Yours Truly is second from the left. I did a month-long teacher training course with Bruce the following year in California.
Training with Bruce Frantzis in Crete, 1999.
In Beijing, 2005, with Master Frank Allen, Master Tina Zhuang and Grand Master Ki Bing Ci, a Wu Style lineage holder.
With the late great Master Bob Boyd
The incomparable Maitre de Montsegur, Chris Chappell. More than any other master, he brought me on a journey into my physical self. I still learn from him. At 64, he remains formidable, deeply intuitive and the font of almost all my understanding. I wouldn’t have a career without him. https://www.realtaoism.com/
Grand Master Wang Zhanghai of Zhengzhou was a Chen Style master. I learned conditioning exercises and push hands techniques from him.