Master Ding Teah Chean (John Ding) has extensive experience and a deep understanding of the systems of internal and external Kung Fu, through the practice of a lifetime. 

He began training at an early age under the aegis of various masters of Shaolin Kung Fu, before devoting himself entirely to the study of Tai Chi Chuan internal martial system. Master Ding is one of the few people in the world to study art under the guidance of the three disciples recognized the Grand Master Yang Sau Chaung: Chu King Hung (third disciple), Gin Soon Chu (second disciple) and Ip Tai Tak (first disciple). It is thus one of the few teachers in the West to be able to demonstrate the finer aspects of the art and the internal energy (Chi). 

January 1, 1998, dedication to the Master Ding Tai Chi Yang style was rewarded when he was recognized as the first disciple of Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak, making him the holder of the sixth generation of the lineage of Tai Chi Chuan Yang style, following the Grand Master Ip Tai Tak. 

Mr. Ding was fervently devoted to establish his academy, which now has schools all over Europe. It is often shown on television and on stage, and edited videos, DVDs and books on Tai Chi. He is also editor of Tai Chi and Alternative Health, a quarterly magazine of international renown, which has been published since 1994. 

Before devoting himself to teaching full-time Tai Chi Chuan in 1996, Mr. Ding worked as a senior manager in social and health services with local authorities in Britain. This experience, combined with his charismatic application of the philosophy of Tai Chi in daily life, gave him the insight necessary to set up an environment that allows everyone to grow, heal and become stronger through practice Tai Chi Chuan.  

Master Ding teaches full time, conducts residential retreats Tai Chi courses, seminars and workshops, and trainings combined with trips to China. He also provides individual and workshops customized courses for companies.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Dr. Alan Ding MBBS has been studying Tai Chi Chuan under his father, Master John Ding, since he was 5 years old. He has also studied under Master Chu Gin Soon (2nd Disciple of Great Grandmaster Yang Sau Chung) and very intensely under Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak (1 st disciple of Great Grandmaster Yang Sau Chung).

Based in London, he is a practicing General Practitioner. as well as being an accomplished Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan practitioner, Chief Instructor for Master Ding Academy organisation and a regular contributor for TCAH (Tai Chi & Alternative Health) magazine.

Over the years he has co-written books on Tai Chi, appeared in videos, DVDs and stage shows and assisted Master John Ding in numerous seminars, retreats and other bespoke Tai Chi programs.

Dr. Alan Ding is a 7th Generation Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan lineage holder through his father.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Doosyant Mahadeo,  RMN;  BSc (Hons.) Psychol;  BSc (Hons.) CMHN; PGDip (Effective Community Care); Cert. (Non-Medical Prescribing) 

Doosyant is a Senior student of Sifu Ding. He started his martial arts training in 1975 studying Long fist boxing and Northern style Praying Mantis with Sifu Ding. Sifu then encouraged him to study Tai Chi Chuan which he eventually took up in 1987. He finally gave up his external martial arts in 1999, on Sifu’s advise, to concentrate on Tai Chi Chuan. He also had the great opportunity to meet and train with Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak.

Over the past 15 years, Doosyant has helped Sifu to run workshops and Retreats across Europe and has a passion for teaching Tai Chi.

Doosyant is a retired Mental Health Professional with 37 years experience in Psychiatry. He is also a Control & Restraint and Breakaway Techniques Instructor.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Mak sought out Master John Ding at South Woodford Centre after reading the first issue of Tai Chi and Alternative Health magazine.

His initial intention was to use the Tai Chi Chuan form as a regime for health and fitness.

Early on he experienced in person the unfathomed power of legendary internal energy and the mastery of the true art of Tai Chi Chuan by Master John Ding. This inspire him to study the essentials of real Tai Chi Chuan.

Mak feels honoured to be a student of Master John Ding, who is a true Master of Tai Chi Chuan, open and generous in his teaching of the art. The same virtues have been inherited by his son Master Alan Ding. 

Mak continues his study under two generations of Master Ding, father John Ding and son Alan Ding. He follows their guidance to further understand the finer mystery within the art of Tai Chi Chuan.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

I was born and bred in East London. Previously, I had worked as a British Gas emergency engineer for over thirty years and also a guitarist playing regularly up and down the country until my health condition forced me to retire early.
 
I took up Tai Chi Chuan in 2000 initially through the local adult education centre as I need to improve my health. Luckily for me, the instructor was from Master Ding Academy. Over the months my physical condition improved, regaining a measure of strength in my legs and arms more importantly to me, my self-confidence and self-esteem.
 
Since then, I retrained and qualified as a massage therapist working part time for the NHS.I later studied Traditional Chinese medicine for a while adding Tui Na techniques to my repertoire. I still practice Tai Chi Chuan and have been teaching Tai Chi Chuan at Master Ding Academy, Limehouse for a number of years.
 
I enjoy working with people from all walks of life but must admit to an empathy to those students left weaken or infirm by illness or age. My biggest pleasure, is to see these people improved after practising Tai Chi Chuan.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Born in London , I became a London taxi driver in 1979. Some twenty years later I attended a Yang style Tai Chi  class , more out of curiosity than anything else. I practiced regularly for the next twelve years, but came to a point where I felt that I was no longer progressing. 

In 2012, I was lucky enough meet Master Ding. Discovering that there was far more to Tai Chi Chuan than I had ever imagined. I joined MDA, where I put as much time into my Tai Chi practice as possible. 

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

I came to Tai Chi just before my 30th birthday. I was looking for a martial art that would be kinder to my body than the traditional external styles that I had practiced in my teenage years. Something that I could learn at my own pace with no pressure of grading or intensive training or more importantly injury! Also something I could practice alone without a partner if need be. Tai chi seemed to fit the bill

So I found my nearest class, which just happened to be at South Woodford with Master Ding! Fate had dealt me a kind hand!! I went along to a Thursday evening class……and as they say the rest is history.

 Just over 17 years later I am more intrigued and engaged with this art than all those years ago. Tai Chi never seems to stand still for me, it always seems to be evolving, ebbing and flowing and taking me in different directions both physically and mentally.

It has, with the guidance of Master Ding taught me and continues to teach me every time I practice, for this I am eternally grateful.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Born in Bethnal Green, in 1940, I left school at 16 and began to realise the true depths of boredom, which are only possible to anyone working in the Civil Service. 5 years later I went to train as a teacher alongside studying singing with Florence Norburg. After College I moved in and out of teaching then moved out of teaching and into (and out of) Show Business, working as a singer in London’s West End and on TV. Following this, and still not having learned my lesson, I started a BA at the Open University, which led to 12 growth years as Headteacher of two very different London schools, where a large part of my job was to stand in front of the fan and smile while everybody else shovelled!  During this time I wrote several articles for various magazines as well as designing, facilitating and tutoring on management courses for the Dept. of Education and Science at London University. Here it was that I found my greatest love – listening to my own voice – and enjoyed being a frequent speaker at International, National and Local Conferences as well as chairing and being a member of many management committees.

After founding the “ARGO Consultancy” in 1988, I was busy designing and delivering a wide variety of personal development and management training workshops to Educationalists, the Social Services, commercial companies and people in the performing arts. It was during this time that I started learning Tai Chi – for a little light exercise – and was lucky enough to find John Ding as my teacher. 22 years later I am still addicted, still learning and waiting for the exercise to get “light”. Now retired, I am back to my first love – teaching; singing, at home, and Tai Chi in Wanstead and at the John Ding Academy in South Woodford. Academy instructor since 1999 after beginining Tai Chi Yang style training in 1990. Peter Pan said that “Work is what you’re doing when you’re not enjoying what you’re doing”; so I don’t work anymore. 

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

Tony has been training at the South Woodford academy for many years and is a regular instructor at the centre.

He also loves Tai Chi movies.

Contact:

t: +44(0) 207 780 1818

e: info@masterdingacademy.com

External Martial Art Career

Ko Poon (Poon Kok Hung) began Martial Arts in the early eighties and trained in the external arts of Shotokan and Goju Ryu Karate Do under various masters to a high level, achieving the grade of Black Belt 5th Dan in Shotokan.  He started teaching his own Karate classes in 1994 and co-founded Poon Dojo with his brother John Poon in 1995. Today, Ko Poon maintains a constant presence within Poon Dojo as an advisor. However, his own martial journey has taken him deeply into the powerful internal art of Tai Chi Chuan.

Internal Martial Art Career

In 1999 Ko Poon decided to focus his training within the internal arts. It was at this point that he became a student under Master John Ding
(Ding Teah Chean). In December 2002 he qualified as a JDIATCC Traditional Tai Chi Chuan Instructor.  Since then, he has been involved in teaching Tai Chi to the Elderly for ‘Age Concern Waltham Forest’, teaching Tai Chi in a Newham Primary School as well as for a Learning Disability Unit at Waltham Forest.  Additionally, Ko Poon now runs the MDA Stratford City branch and is a senior student of Sifu John Ding, dedicating his Martial Arts training solely to the path of Tai Chi Chuan.

Therapy Career

Ko Poon started his therapy career in the early nineties, which led to staring his shiatsu career in 2000.  He graduated in November 2003 from the British School of Shiatsu Do as a fully qualified Shiatsu therapist.   Ko Poon now runs a successful Shiatsu practice in East London. 

Professional Career

Professionally, Ko Poon has worked in the British Education system since 1996. Starting as a Primary School Teacher in the East End of London, he then gained promotion to become a senior manager holding the positions of Acting Deputy Head Teacher, Assistant Head Teacher. Ko Poon was also the lead Physical Education Senior Lecturer for the Primary PGCE Programme at UEL for thirteen years. He is now the Initial Teacher Training Primary Lead for a School-centred Initial teacher training (SCITT) as well as the ITT Lead in a Teaching School based in East London continuing to train graduates in becoming Primary School Teachers.

Contact: MDA Stratford

t:  07944 05 2201

e: ko@yangtaichi.co.uk

External Martial Arts

John Poon (Poon Kok Kung) began Martial Arts in the early eighties and trained in the external martial arts of Shotokan Karate Do, achieving the grade of Black Belt 5th Dan in Shotokan.  He started teaching his own Karate classes in 1994 and co-founded Poon Dojo with his brother Ko Poon in 1995. Today, John Poon solely runs childrens martial arts class within Poon Dojo in East London & Essex. However, his own martial journey has taken him deeply into the powerful internal art of Tai Chi Chuan. 

Internal Martial Arts

In 1999 John Poon decided to focus his training within the internal arts. It was at this point that he became a student of Master John Ding. He continues to train under the Master Ding Academy & since then, he has been involved in teaching Tai Chi for Health to the Elderly for Waltham Forest Age Concern E4, Gainsfield Court, E11 (Rainbow Project), Uniting Friends, Redbridge, IG4, Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre, E16. Master Ding Academy Ilford (Goodmayes) branch opened in October 2014. In 2015, along with his brother Ko Poon became Martial Arts & Tai Chi Consultants for University of East London, Stratford & Docklands. Work involves coaching, teaching & running workshops for other Educational Institutes. 

Professional Career

In John’s early professional career he was previously employed by one of the top security companies worldwide ‘G4 Security’. Qualified as a Security Guard, Front line and Door Supervisor, which is recognized by the SIA (Security Industry Authority). John has also attained a Martial Arts Coach qualification and is undergoing further coaching qualification with Pro-Active East London, which includes level 1 sports coaching award, child protection and first aid. 

More recently John Poon became a Business Consultant & Advisor for new business set up & small existing businesses. He also runs a small property business based in East London & Essex. Running & managing a small porfolio of properties within his family & closest friends.

Contact: MDA Ilford

t:  07968 055 410

e:  john@yangtaichi.co.uk

MDA Certified Tai Chi Instructor and Accredited Healing Therapist

Yuka has been training in Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan at the Master Ding Academy in London (MDA) since 1998.  She is continuing her training with Sifu John Ding, the 6th generation Master of Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan to deepen her understanding of the Art of Tai Chi.

She has experience in teaching Tai Chi to a wide range of students in a class environment as well as privately: beginner to intermediate, different age groups, Parkinson’s and Ménière’s Disease sufferers. Registered with Confederation of Healing Organisations (CHO)/UK Healers, she has also been working as an energy healing therapist since 2001.

Believing that Tai Chi provides a tool not only for fitness but also for personal development and self-healing through re-alignment of mind-body-spirit and optimisation of energy flow, she feels passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with many people.

Contact:

t:  +44 7854 899 056

e:   yuka.donovan@gmail.com

I was always very interested in Martial Arts but never had an opportunity due to family commitments and working shifts. When I reached 50 years, I decided I must start a Martial Art. At that time, a friend introduced me to Master Ding and soon after, I joined his class at South Woodford and never looked back.

Tai Chi has kept me fit and healthy and has also helped me tremendously to cope with all the stresses in my previous job. Currently, I assist one of the main instructor to teach at Master Ding Academy HQ based in South Woodford.

In my day job, I am an architect and practice in East London. 

I started learning Tai Chi with Master Ding at his Academy in 2005. I am interested in bringing Tai Chi to my local community for improved health and well being. 

In my own journey I have found that practising this internal martial has enriched my life immensely. It is very systematic and holistic in its approach allowing each student to grow in their own unique way. Sifu Ding has always made the learning of this art fun and interesting and this is my intention too by sharing what I have learnt with others.