Testimonials

If you like me love a good action movie, you will love the WCA weapons classes! It is less ominous than it sounds (although still pretty cool to wield a sword or a staff), in fact learning tai chi weapons is incredibly meditative. And at the same time fun! It adds an extra layer to your tai chi, you have a partner in crime in your weapon of choice, and like a dance, you eventually learn to perform a beautiful sequence of moves that at times could very well be described as a slow meditative ballet. Without having to go on the the tippy toes.

Mark’s knowledge of both white crane and chen weapons is vast and all classes and workshops are educational and safe! I encourage anyone who loves tai chi to add weapons to their training.

I’ve been training with Mark for almost 3 years now, starting off with kung fu and then joining his tai chi classes too. Being a slightly older female new to martial arts I was reassured to find all Mark’s classes very friendly and supportive, with a mix of ages and abilities. Attending regularly, it didn’t take me long to notice improvements in both my strength and flexibility. Alongside the physical fitness aspect, my brain is also getting a good workout from memorising tai chi and kung fu forms. Taking up martial arts to gain confidence, focus and skill is not just for the kids, but perfectly valid and doable for people of all ages, and I’m forever grateful that I took that first step of contacting Mark and turning up for my first taster class – I’ve been hooked ever since.

Meditation and Movement. I love, love, love this class! I have been attending WCA for 7 years now, and could actually have written in glowing terms about any of the various classes I attend during the week! – but as Meditation and Movement is the latest class I have joined I just wanted to let everyone know how fabulous it is! I can hardly wait for each Friday to come round! I have found that there is something about the way Mark leads this which enables us to access the restoration that our bodies and minds are crying out for in this frantic, fast-paced world – and not only access it, but carry it with us as we leave the class and go about our day. I have had some astonishing results in Mark’s meditation sessions which have had a lasting impact on getting rid of some old health issues. To say I am delighted is an understatement!! Huge thanks Mark!

I was recovering from a long illness and desperate to get back into keeping fit. I had read Tai Chi could help me recover. If by luck Mark Stevenson was starting a new local weekly Tai Chi class. That was over 10 years ago and i have achieved more than I thought possible. Mark’s passion and energy for Tai Chi is infectious that you cannot help but enjoy every class and come out feeling full of energy too. I have fully recovered thanks to Mark’s dedication to Tai Chi and this year even find myself joining Mark and fellow Tai Chi students to China, beyond my wildest dreams 10 years ago.Best decision ever I
made to join Mark’s Tai Chi class.

I’ve been attending Saturday Tai Chi classes since last summer. The classes are warm and inclusive and enable me, someone who often feels uneasy in groups, to feel comfortable and supported. Mark is clearly an expert and experienced teacher, and this manifests in his patient and steady teaching. I particularly like the blend of warm-up, Qigong, and forms practice that compose the average class. If you are thinking of Tai Chi and looking for a place to practise and learn, I heartily recommend White Crane Academy.

Mark has taught my kids kung fu, kickboxing and sparring for many years now. I can honestly say he has played a major part in their formation, teaching them discipline, persistence, respect and the joy of a fit body. More recently I have started tai chi classes, after a break of many years, which brings me huge joy.
Mark is accomplished as a practitioner and teacher – he clearly lives his art. But on top of that, he really holds his community with his reliable, trustworthy and generous presence. During lockdown he offered free online classes, teaching Mandarin to the kids. i was very touched by this, it was above and beyond what anyone expected and I remain grateful to this day.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Mark as a teacher, and as a generally good egg to have in your’s and your kids’ lives.

Over 10 years ago I bumped into Mark. That encounter caused me to resume my practice of tai chi, but this time with an instructor of real quality. At first the focus was the White Crane open hands form. When I was coming towards the end of learning the form, Mark spoke about what was next.
I had already learnt the cane form – a short sequence of graceful moves. You’d be surprised at what can be done with a walking stick!

The options were the sword or the fan. I chose the sword. Starting this form was another challenge- not only all the hand, foot and body movements of the open hand form, but now controlling a weapon as well.
The sword form displays all the smoothness and flow of the open hand form, but also reminds that these movements passed down from centuries ago, have a practical self-defence aspect to them. It’s full of wonderful body movements while the sword “swishes”, cuts and slashes, slowly of course in keeping with tai chi ethos, through the air.
But that’s not all!

Sometime into the sword form, Mark introduced me to the fan – somewhat larger than those you would normally come across. This form is something special. A series of twirls, twists and turns by both fan and body, requiring the fan to be frequently opened and closed during the sequence. With a flick of the wrists, the fan cracks in the air as you open and close it.

In addition to those I’ve already mentioned, there are a range of other weapons, some you may not be familiar with, that Mark teaches – truly something for everyone at any age or level of experience at WCA.
Having added weapons to my training, I feel I’ve really progressed in my appreciation of tai chi and the benefits it provides to mind and body, to the spirit too, if you are that way inclined.
I would recommend weapons training to anyone as a way to add to their experience of tai chi. Under Mark’s patient, skilful and highly knowledgeable tutelage, you are sure to improve in whatever area that drew you to tai chi initially, by adding weapons to your training.

I first met Mark some 11 years ago when I had recently been given the news, after a few years of tests etc, that I had a long term neurological disease. I felt relieved when told, which may seem strange, but I was beginning to think I was imagining things and going crazy. All this had knocked my confidence in many ways and I had become very insular. I started a one to one ‘back to fitness’ course with Mark which then gradually became one to one Tai Chi, followed by joining classes, most of which went well. (I still can’t handle that fan it always ends up biting me). Well I am still having classes with Mark and in all this time he has never bcome impatient with me, always encouraged and sometimes stretched me that I now say ‘I can do this and I will do this’. On top of this he is a great listener.

Mark is an excellent teacher of several Tai Chi forms, qi gong and Strength, Mobility and breathe work. His knowhow and patience in teaching the accurate forms in tai chi produces great results. The classes are friendly and inclusive. It’s a great way to increase body awareness and mindfulness, as well as helping your brain remember the form. Totally recommend.

Been attending the Saturday Tai Chi class for about a year. Have seen much improved flexibility and balance as a result. Good banter in the class, good class size, very friendly.
Mark, and others, always willing to help and coach.

Have tried to learn Tai Chi several times in the past, this is the only one I have really progressed in and wanted to learn more

Thoroughly enjoyable. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.

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I was nervous when I went to class for the first time as I had never been to any class before, I needn’t have worried as everyone made me feel welcome and I enjoyed the class. My fitness, breathing and balance have all improved and the meditation is really relaxing. Mark is a very good teacher and doesn’t expect us to know all the moves.

My children and I first started the WCA Saturday family kung fu classes 8 years ago, and from the very first class, we absolutely loved it! It’s fun, we get fit, and on top of that we learn self defence! Not only that, it’s great to have an activity the whole family can take part in and enjoy together. Mark’s classes are engaging and educational. It’s not just about learning to throw a punch! Can highly recommend.

Mark’s strength class is so beneficial, it’s challenging if you want it to be but you can work at your own level and gradually improve. It’s also fun and varied. I’ve really noticed how the strength in my legs and arms has increased since attending the class. Also balance, so important for over 50s – I can now do the balance exercises without holding on to the wall.

As somebody over 60 who hadn’t done any regular exercise for several years, I thoroughly recommend White Crane Gentle Strength classes to anybody in the same boat who wants to get back into a gentle exercise routine & who would like to improve their well being & fitness levels.
There are a wide range of exercises done at each class, so even if you are not as supple as you used to be, you should be able to do some if not all of the exercises. The classes are fun & rewarding with no pressure to do anything more than you are able to do.
I for one have noticed an improvement in my balance, core strength & flexibility over the course of a year or so that I have been going

I first got involved with White Crane Academy when I did beginners Tai Chi classes locally. Mark was therefore my first port of call when I turned my focus to getting fit after years of not exercising and a sluggish lockdown 1.

We started weight training once a week in my back garden and Mark would bring the equipment with him. Enjoying it so much and feeling heathier not only in my body but my mind too, I increased my sessions to 3 a week.

I now go to Marks studio and garden which is well equipped and my training is going from strength to strength. Mark took great care to ensure I developed a good technique and progress was made safely. I would recommend Mark to anyone who wants to get fit but finds they don’t have the will power to do it on their own at home. The various pieces of equipment that Mark provides ensures that no 2 sessions are the same, a good variation of exercises means that an overall body workout is always achieved.

My kids have been training in Kung Fu with white crane academy for a number of years. As well as learning a martial art their strength, fitness and flexibility has really improved. This has in turn helped them with their confidence and has helped them when playing other sports such as football. I thoroughly recommend martial arts training for kids especially with the white crane academy.

I enjoyed being able to burn off my energy and have fun whilst doing it. I like the environment with lots of friendly ppl and I like the lessons and the exercise itself

I have been learning the White Crane Tai Chi form with Mark for just over a year. During that time my health has improved in a number of ways, which has been a very pleasant surprise. I try to attend three classes a week and really enjoy the Qigong as well as the Tai Chi.

Before starting the classes I had problems with my left knee, it just did not move properly and there was constant pain – all better now! My sense of balance has improved so much and I’ve also lost two inches off my waist!

The most wonderful thing is that the tinnitus which I have had for about twenty years has calmed down so much that I am hardly aware of it.

All the benefits have made me so much stronger mentally and physically. I look forward to improving my under standing of this art of Tai Chi.

On the advice of my doctor because of balance problems I joined Mark’s Tai Chi classes. I was quite nervous at first not knowing what to expect but I can honestly say I have not looked back. Mark is an excellent teacher. My balance has improved and I look forward to each lesson. I would recommend his classes.

Eighteen months ago I had my first ‘back to fitness’ session with Mark and appreciate everything he has done for me. I have a long term degenerative problem which affects my balance, concentration and thought process all of which has improved greatly since starting Tai Chi, Quigong and a general fitness programme with Mark. The classes are relaxed and very friendly. I definitely would recommend giving them a try.