Mark Stevenson

My Story

I am a teacher and student of two distinct traditional Chinese martial arts styles: Chen tai chi, as well as White Crane tai chi & kung fu.
Additionally I teach qigong, meditation, and general fitness classes.

As a child, teenager, as well as in my early-20s, I had dabbled in judo and kickboxing but it wasn’t until a few years later that I started learning the White Crane systems of tai chi and kung fu, in addition to Chinese kickboxing, with Russel Southern of White Crane Martial Arts in Brighton.

I distinctly remember that I was instantly hooked after my first lesson. Since then, Chinese martial arts, particularly tai chi, have been my passion, and I am fortunate enough to be able to teach and pass them on to others.

After beginning my training in White Crane, I completely dedicated myself to the art, spending many hours each week, and practicing over several years. Following a visit to Beijing in 2007, I became a teacher and started teaching my own classes in Mid Sussex.

The following year, I founded White Crane Academy. Through a combination of hard work, luck, and the support of a fantastic group of loyal students, it has grown into my full-time occupation, with classes across Mid Sussex and one-to-one sessions from my studio in Haywards Heath.

After almost two decades focused on White Crane, I decided that it was time to develop my skills and knowledge further and I spent a short time training at the Shaolin Temple in Kunming, China. It was a fantastic experience but ultimately not for me at that time.

Based on my experiences and research in China, I spent a summer learning Chen Tai Chi at the Yangshuo Tai Chi School with Master Wu Yu Ping and Master Wu Heng Dong. Once again, I was hooked, and with my usual zeal and passion for martial arts training, I have dedicated six years to studying with Master Ping—now of FangYuan Tai Chi School—training with him twice a year in China and for countless hours online. I am now also a senior instructor for FangYuan Tai Chi School, and I regularly teach Master Ping’s international students.

In addition to my live classes – and in partnership with people who are better than me at technology – I also teach tai chi and qigong via courses and follow-along lessons on my app, Tai Chi App. Launching in 2023, it is now a tai chi community of hundreds of students from around the world.

Away from martial arts, I love to spend time with my family – partner, mum, daughter, three step sons, two dogs – most of whom also train with my at WCA (the dogs try!). I enjoy learning Mandarin Chinese, reading, movies, walking the dogs, and watching the world go by over a coffee.

I look forward to hearing from you or meeting you in class!

Mark