Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Richard and Simon Watson
Keeping Tradition Alive Through Modern Ways
A personal reflection by Ranjeet Sokhi

In search of a teacher

I started training in Kung Fu (Laugar) under Master Jeremy Yau in the 1970s and then later under Nigel Thompson. As my training progressed in martial arts my need to develop myself mentally, spiritually as well as physically grew.

In my search to meet this need I encountered many martial art schools but they usually focussed on physical training approaches and treated the philosophical aspects only superficially. Training in Laugar was and still is, an exhilarating experience but I needed something else. In my search for "something else" I became fascinated by the "softer" or "internal" styles such as Taijiquan. Although the distinction between hard and soft (or external and internal) styles sometimes is not clear cut, Taiji represented for me a unique and a more complete system for health, self defence and personal development.

Trying to find a Taiji instructor was not as easy as I had expected. After visiting various libraries, looking through newspapers and martial arts magazines, I decided to see the schools for myself. Nowadays various Taiji organisations, such as the Union, have adopted web technology to help novices identify instructors. The use of the internet has also helped to encourage interaction and dialogue between practitioners. What has not changed, however, is the need to observe the instructor in action before deciding if he or she is right for you. This is important because if one is serious and committed to this journey then the relationship can last for many years, if not a lifetime.

The experience of visiting various Taiji classes in and around my area was quite illuminating. Luckily having a background in martial arts helped somewhat to gauge the quality of the teaching and, in my own humble way, the maturity of the instructor. After visiting several classes, my wife and I came to a class held in a school in the Stevenage area.

The class was being led by Richard Watson who was being assisted by his son, Simon. It was a small class with only a handful of students. We stood at the side and watched the instructor and the students - trying to assess if this was for us or not, realising that we had already been to other classes with many more students.

It became obvious very quickly that the depth, clarity and care with which the instruction was being passed on to the students was not ordinary.

I remember the quality that attracted us the most was the modesty and humility despite having just observed a remarkably high level of knowledge and skill. What we had not appreciated at that moment was the both Dick and Simon represented a rich tapestry of knowledge and understanding gained through hard personal training which was underpinned by guidance from great masters!

Yang style foundations

Dick's training in martial arts spans back to 1949 when he started learning Judo. After training in Judo for more than 20 years, Dick joined the International Taijiquan Association and became a student of Master Chu King Hung in 1974. Master Chu was a disciple of Yang Shou Chung, who was the eldest son of the famous Yang Cheng Fu. He remained a student of Master Chu for 19 years and received training in the traditional Yang-style syllabus including the Long Form, Weapons Forms, Qigong, Tui Shou, Zhan Zhuang, Two-man San Shou Form. Dick's training with Master Chu not only emphasised the fundamental techniques passed down through the Yang family tradition but also their applications using blocking, punching and kicking. After several years of training Dick became one of the inner circle students of Master Chu and as a result of his seniority he routinely taught the advanced students of ITCCA. As a result of this relationship Simon was also introduced to Master Chu who served as a source of inspiration for his own future development in Taiji.

During the 1980s Dick also trained with Master Dong Zenchen who visited the UK on many occasions. This opportunity enabled him to extend his training in traditional Yang methods and techniques. Through several meetings with Master Dong, he learned the Dong family's Yang style routine as well as the Fast Form and further Push Hands methods.

Traditional and modern ways - working together

Dick's visit to China in 1989 turned out to be a pivotal stage in his Taiji journey. He met Professor Li Deyin, then head of the Department of Physical Education at the People's University, Beijing. Professor Li, who is the nephew of the late Master Li Tainji, is an internationally renowned coach in Yang and Sun styles of Taijiquan as well as in Xingji.

Professor Li has had a unique influence on the promotion of Taiji over many years, especially in relation to the more modern forms such as the 24 simplified form, the 88 standardised routine, the 42 combined competition routine and the 32 Taijijian (sword) routine. The simplified 24 form is probably the most practised routine in the world. It was choreographed by several masters including Li Tianji and hence Professor Li represents a living link to the tradition and inspiration that led to these landmark developments for sharing this unique art with people throughout the world.

Both Dick and Simon have also built up a strong relationship with Master Wang Yanji who was a senior student of Li Tianji. Master Wang regularly gives seminars in the UK on various aspects of Taiji, Push Hands and Xingji. The formaton of the Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain, at the behest of Professor Li, has provided an ongoing mechanism for all Taiji students in the UK to benefit from the knowledge and remarkable skills of Professor Li and Master Wang.

I have personally had the pleasure of experiencing the teaching of Professor Li and Master Wang several times. It

is obvious why Dick and Simon have established a close relationship with them. The popularity of their seminars is a testament to the great impact they are having on the UK Taiji scene. I do not exaggerate when I say that Professor Li's understanding of traditional and modern ways is phenomenal. This was particularly evident at his last visit to the UK (summer of 2003) when I had the opportunity of improving my 88 standardised routine.

Over the weekend he dissected the elements of the routine by comparing and using the traditional Yang Long Form as a reference. He gave in-depth answers to all questions whether they were about how the Long Form has evolved from the days of the great Yang Cheng Fu or about the meaning of "Step Up to Seven Stars".

Master Wang's seminars on Xingji and Push Hands are similarly inspirational. His mastery of Fajing and other martial applications of Taiji and Xingji are particularly illuminating, especially for the person on the receiving end!

The emphasis of his recent coaching sessions has been on how to increase power through proper use of body dynamcs, rooting and developing methods for directing energy.

Competition Successes

Under the guidance of his father, Simon has achieved numerous competition successes. At the start of his competition career he came first in the 1991 BCCMA National Championships. With additional guidance from Professor Li he was placed sixth in the Second World Championships and fourth place in 1995. In the European Championships he was awarded the Gold Medal in 1992, the Silver Medal in 1994 and 1996. In addition to coaching, Simon and Dick have also trained other successful competitors such as Chew Yeen Lawes (European Gold Medal 1994-1996), Anne Lo (European Bronze medallist in 1998) and David Nicholson (Dutch Open Champion 1998).

Dick's high standard in the martial arts field is reflected by the fact that he was asked to act as the Team Leader to the European Championships in 1994, Team Manager to the World Championhips in Baltimore USA in 1995 and the Team Manager to the World Championships in Rome 1997.

Building a Legacy

As a result of their strong traditional roots and their adoption of modern approaches, the students of Dick and Simon have the best of both worlds. They have integrated their Yang style Taiji syllabus with contemporary methods and new developments whilst maintaining traditional principles. Their openness to new changes, however, is not unconditional in that they insist on establishing strong foundations and being loyal to the essence of Taijiquan as encapsulated, for example, in the Ten Essential Principles by Yang Cheng Fu.

One should note, however, that new developments are not restricted to the Yang style - numerous modifications to older forms have also taken place in other styles including the Chen, original Taiji style. Whatever our view on the changes introduced over the last 50 years, the newer developments, such as the 24 simplified form, have helped Taiji and its benefits to become more accessible to people worldwide.

The contribution of past masters, such as Li Tianji, who through their courage and ingenuity introduced newer ways of practicing Taiji, is profound and historic. We are continuing to enjoy the benefits of this openness from great figures such as Professor Li and Master Wang and now through teachers such as Dick and Simon. Anyone who knows Dick will vouch for his deep understanding of the historical traditions and developments of Taiji.

Under the guidance of his father, Simon has matured into an exceptional instructor and an ambassador for his art. He continually explores the virtues of other martial arts and as a result he has developed an uncanny ability to explain and demonstrate the intricacies of all aspects of Taiji training, including the forms, Tui Shou (Push Hands), two-person routines and martial applications.

And finally ...

This article only represents a glimpse of the contributions made by Dick and Simon Watson to the promotion of Taiji in the UK. They have both continued to advance their knowledge and skills in Taiji and Qigong. For example, they have further explored the medical and health benefits of Qigong exercises with Professor Zhang Guande and Dr Dan Lijun. They have also trained in other styles of Taiji, such as Sun, Hao and Chen.

The experience of training with Dick and Simon brings great pride to me personally, not simply because of the rich heritage they represent, but also because of their own dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm for revealing the true essence of Taijiquan to all their students.

I still remember the time when I was searching for the right Taiji instructor - who knows if I would have still been on my Taiji journey if I had met someone else? What I am sure about is that Dick and Simon have both been instrumental in not only starting me on this path but also in supporting me along the road.

I look forward to the continuing journey.

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