The Devon School of Tai Chi was set up by Matthew Rochford in 1999 with the aim of offering high quality Tai Chi and Chi Kung instruction to people and organisations in Devon, the UK, and abroad. We are all qualified teachers and members of the Tai Chi Union For Great Britain. We also offer Tai Chi and Qi Gong Teacher/Instructor Training.

Our qualified instructors have experience in several styles of Tai Chi, although we primarily teach Yang style Tai Chi. We offer a Tai Chi program which has been set up to help students achieve a steady progression through and understanding of, the key elements of Tai Chi.

We have pioneered the use of Tai Chi in a huge variety of settings from multinational corporations and advertising agencies to sheltered housing and homeless projects. We believe in the power of what we do and the expertise we have. You can have confidence in us and our enthusiasm and integrity.

We teach in a progressive way which takes into consideration your pace of learning. We care about our students and teach Tai Chi and Qi Gong clearly and patiently.

Matthew Rochford
Matthew was born in Aberdeen in 1969, and first came to hear about tai chi when he was studying at Newcastle University. In 1991 he met Harry Simmons and Alan Higgins both of whom had been practising tai chi for some years. Learning Cheng Man Ching and other forms Matthew was also introduced to Peter Warr (student of Professor Li Deyin) and Master Huang Jifu. After four years learning from Alan and Harry, Matthew moved back to Scotland and studied Shiatsu. In 1996 he began a Tai Chi and Chi Kung teaching course with Peter Warr, which he completed after 6 years of training and assessment. Matthew has learnt a lot of different tai chi forms during the last 16 years. More recently he started learning more internally orientated tai chi methods from Luke Shepherd (a student of Patrick Kelly, himself a student of Master Huang Xinxiang of Malaysia).

This year Matthew started Tai Chi Nation, a new company designed to harness the growing movement of chi-related arts.

To him the most important things to remember are enjoying tai chi/chi kung and remembering how lucky we are to have it. Matthew lives in South Devon with his lovely wife and dog, where he teaches/practices tai chi, studys dharma and walks the dog!

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Chris Waters
Chris has been studying Tai Chi and Qi Gong for over 10 years (originally discovering both arts in New Zealand). He completed Peter Warr's Teacher Training Program (Coach Level) in 2006. Chris teaches classes in Newton Abbot, and Torquay. He has been working with Matthew since 1999.

Chris's passions include shamanic healing, traditional Yang Style Tai Chi and Dartmoor.

Joe Salmon
Joe Salmon has been practicing Tai Chi and Qi Gong for over 10 years. He is familiar with Simplified and Traditional Yang Style forms, having studied under Ian Harris in Cornwall and with Matthew Rochford since 2002. He holds a degree in philosophy from the University of Wales and works as a full time Instructor. He has also studied Healing and Meditation for many years. When not working or practicing Tai Chi, Joe spends his time raising his family or enjoying his allotment.

Other teachers, currently teaching with us:

Vida Alexander is an experienced teacher who teaches clearly and with great clarity. She is committed to the health benefits and has a background in martial arts.

Helen Holden has been studying Tai Chi and Qigong for several years and is also studying Shiatsu. Helen teaches in Plymouth.

Now read: About Tai Chi