Phil Muil
After doing Judo as a child, Phil began studying martial arts
seriously in 1981 with Tae Kwon Do. He studied with Orello Ellis (world,
European and British champion), winning national tournaments in free
sparring. During this time he also trained in Kung Fu with Clive
Parkinson (world Kung Fu champion) and with other styles, Karate, etc.
In 1987, Phil embarked on a major change of direction,
beginning; Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Aikido, meditation and Yoga. Although
he continued Aikido for three years, it and yoga fell by the wayside as
his interest in Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation grew. Phil began Tai Chi with Cheng Man-ching Yang Style under Richard Druitt and explored various influences over the next several years.
In 1996 Phil & Em met Karel & Eva Koskuba and immediately recognising the high level of their skill, have been studying with them ever since. During this time they have studied Classical Yang style and Chen
style Tai Chi ( & a little bit of other styles). Phil & Em have twice visited China in the company of Karel & Eva, been introduced to and trained with their teachers.
In 2006 Phil & Em were present at the Ceremony ( in Chen Village) where both Karel
& Eva were invited to become 'Indoor students' of Grand Master Chen
Xiao-wang, 20th Generation Lineage Holders of Chen Style Taijiquan.
Through their teachers Phil & Em have been able to meet and
study with some of the top masters in the world today; Chen Xiao-wang, Chen Xiao-xing, Du Xian-ming, Yao Cheng-guang, Feng Zhi-qiang & Wang Hao-da. Other teachers studied with include; Jan Silberstorf, Mike Sigman & George Xu.
Phil has been attending retreats and studying meditation since
1990 at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. As well as running his
treehouse-building business, Phil works as a part-time mediator.
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Emma Westlake
Emma’s interest in physical movement began when she was young,
firstly training in dance and then later becoming a junior international
athlete. Her long term interest in health and healing led her to a
degree in physiology at Oxford University where she captained the
university women’s athletics team. An illness contracted whilst
travelling led her to become more interested in holistic approaches
to health and well-being.
Emma began studying Tai Chi in 1991 and teaching in 1995. She
first started learning with her partner, Phil, practising the Yang style
short form. In 1996, they met Karel and Eva Koskuba and started
studying classical Yang style. This led on to studying Chen style and
contact with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Through the Koskubas, Emma (and
Phil) have attended many workshops with visiting Tai Chi masters and,
during a couple of trips to China, have trained with some of the top Tai
Chi/internal martial arts practitioners in the world including; Chen
Xiaoxing, Du Xianming, Yao Chengguang and Feng Zhiqiang.
Emma is also a practising Craniosacral therapist and has been
attending yearly meditation retreats since 1991. These influences
feature in her understanding and teaching of Tai Chi Chuan. |
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