The Wutan School of Martial Arts, including Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and other internal arts, was first introduced to the UK in 1977 by Master They Soon Tuan. The school continues to this day, with its headquarters currently based in Southampton. There are many Wutan schools across the UK, with students at all levels, and the Wutan School of Tai Chi has been, and remains, proudly run by

Master They Soon Tuan.

I began my study of Wutan Martial Arts in September 2004 under the guidance of Barbara Donne, working alongside her partner Geoff. Both Barbara and Geoff have spent many years studying a variety of martial arts within the Wutan School, including Tai Chi and Kung Fu, with much of their training learned directly from Master They Soon Tuan himself.

In early 2019, Barbara announced her retirement from teaching some of her long-running Tai Chi classes. She very kindly asked if I would be willing to carry the baton and continue teaching Tai Chi in her absence. Since taking on this role, I have learned a great deal through teaching and have developed a deeper understanding of the art.

I greatly enjoy teaching Tai Chi and am now looking to introduce new classes for beginners. Tai Chi is a broad and deeply interesting subject, offering both physical and mental challenges. With regular practice, it encourages ongoing self-awareness, discipline, and a deeper understanding of body movement and balance.

Alongside in-person classes, I also offer a private online community for students who wish to stay connected between sessions. This space is intended to support continued learning, allowing members to share reflections, receive guidance, and stay informed outside of the class environment. Participation is entirely optional and designed to complement regular practice.

Please click here to visit the online community.

I began my own Tai Chi journey in my early twenties as a student in one of Barbara Donne’s classes. Along the way, I met my wife, Gemma, and we now have three children together. I have continued to attend regular classes and maintain consistent personal practice up to the present day.

Alongside my teaching, I am a garden landscaper for a wide range of clients across the Dorset area. My aim for the future is to build up enough Tai Chi classes to transition fully from landscaping into teaching Tai Chi full-time, continuing to pass on the knowledge and traditions that have been handed down to me.

Results From Our Students

Alongside our in‑person Tai Chi classes in Bournemouth and Poole, we also offer structured online training through The Traditional Tai Chi Method, our progressive program for committed beginners

Real People. Real Progress. Traditional Training

At The Traditional Tai Chi Method, we focus on structure, posture and long‑term development - not quick fixes.

Here’s what our students are experiencing:

Who This Is For?

This training is designed for:

Adults who feel stiff, tight or less mobile than they used to and want to rebuild strength properly.

Beginners who want clear, structured instruction rather than vague follow‑along movement.

People willing to commit to steady, progressive training that changes the body over time.

Those seeking authentic Tai Chi rooted in traditional martial principles - not just slow exercise.

Individuals who value depth over trends and want to understand posture, alignment and internal structure properly.

Busy professionals who need calm, focus and grounding - without high‑impact strain on the joints.

Ready to Begin?

Your body changes when your structure changes.

Start your training today.

You can begin with our first 4 structured lessons free of charge before committing to the full program.

Tai Chi, Ba gua, Xing Yi

There are three main Internal art forms Tai chi, Ba gua, and Xing Yi, they all seem very different to begin with but over time with practice you can begin to see the similarities between them.

Qi Gong