Tom Nicholson-Pratt

Before starting with White Crane Academy, I participated in many different sports, particularly rugby union to county level. My first experience of martial arts was Tae Kwon Do which I did for a few years, starting in my late teens, although martial arts for me then was secondary to rugby. My career in the oval ball game came to an end when I found it increasingly difficult to combine rugby and training with my professional working commitments. Wanting to keep some form of sports going I fell back on my footballing experience and assisted coaching youth football for almost 10 years from under 8 to under 17 level.

When that period came to an end it was back to martial arts in the form of Yang style Tai Chi which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Sussex and started training with Mark Stevenson at White Crane Academy that I found something that combined many of the things I value: fitness, feeling grounded, strength, flexibility, dedication, balance, working as part of a team and perhaps above all, mindfulness – many are life skills as well as Tai Chi fundamentals.

When you have developed some degree of mastery of the moves in the white crane form, mind and body work as one, and for those who have a spiritual inclination, the breathing techniques in addition to having an impact on health, can supplement other practices, such as meditation.

White Crane Tai Chi as taught at Mark’s academy has it all and takes place in a relaxed and friendly environment. I have yet to come across a single student who has not derived benefit from their training whether it’s feeling less stressed, more focused, more confident, more flexible, improved balance and so on…

For me Tai Chi training has become an integral part of my life, so much so that I’d like to help others to benefit from the experience of developing their own practice which is why I’m training to instruct.

Although my main focus is Tai Chi, I’m well aware of the quality training there is in other arts at the school , hence I’ve begun Kung Fu alongside the youngest member of my extended family who’s not yet 5 years.

I’ve no doubt that with a little persistence, whatever age you may be that not only will you benefit from, but you will also enjoy the experience at White Crane Academy.

Tom