Taiji and the Mind

Biography of Andrew Channer

Born in 1971 Amersham, Bucks, England, Andy Channer first started martial arts training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 12. He moved to Dorset in 1988 and shortly after took up traditional Aikido Iwama Ryu along with Goju Ryu Karate. While under the instruction of Sensei Tony Sargeant in aikido he was introduced to taiji and has been a practitioner for eight years. He was trained as a bodyguard and has worked as a doorman for over ten years where his martial arts training was put into practice on many occasions. He has also been an external instructor at the Royal Marines base in Hamworthy, Dorset.

In 2000 due to an industrial injury, Andy ended up in hospital where he had an enlightening experience a revelation that just because he was now bed bound and disabled, did not mean that he could not continue training in martial arts. He started to develop his mind further and found that he could still train as normal. By focusing into his mind, the stillness of being bed bound gave him a greater understanding of the martial arts and taught him that training was not just physical but mental. Andy now spends time sharing his thoughts with others hoping to inspire them.

"Using Chinese

philosophy and words

to describe the working

process of the mind"

People are often asked, Have you trained much this week? The reply is often very familiar and weak. For example: There was no time, I havent got enough room at home, Ive been working all week. All valid points but there is always time. You find time to sleep, time to eat and drink, time to wash and sometimes go out. As for enough space to train, open your mind and the space to train is infinite. As for working, use your taiji in every day life. I dont mean get up in the middle of work and start doing the form. Whatever work you do, taiji can be integrated and will alleviate stress and promote good flow of qi (energy). If you sit down, still remember your posture.

I am disabled and bed bound at present, but I train more now than I did when I was able bodied. I work out every day; with my mind I can explore many things. My journey lies on a different path than yours but includes many aspects of your personal journey. Being disabled is no excuse for me not to train; if anything, without my training and the use of my mind I would most definitely be half the man I am today. Training has helped me overcome adversity and depression, and it has helped me improve my other senses.

I wrote a zen poem for my teacher:

My quest for knowledge is not unlike the flame that refuses to burn out.

The mind is vast if you practice; go there often enough and you can achieve anything. I was told I would never lift weights again, but with my training and a strong mind I am once again lifting weights in my bed. With me its a matter of when, not if. People start by saying I cant do this, followed by, I wont do this. The wont do this is a quote that a lot of people say subconsciously. They talk themselves into believing they cant do something and dont. Your mind is just like your body, it needs working out with a strong will. There is no cant do this. At first, like any muscle, you will be weak. But practice without excuses, set yourselves achievable targets and I can guarantee good results. The mind is there to be used, you must train your mind as well as your body to achieve yin and yang harmony.

My hope is to be an inspiration to others and in turn give them the knowledge to inspire themselves.

Andy Chammer

Longfei Newsletter Volume 6 Issue 2 Table of Contents