Sifu Dave George, started his martial arts career when he was 15 after many years of being bullied at school, not knowing how to defend himself and of course watching the Bruce Lee films, decided that he needed to learn how to defend himself and have more confidence.
In 1977 one of his former instructors told of his new club learning Wing Chun, a close combat martial art system from southern China. Sifu Dave went along and was impressed how easy the system was, however like all systems it takes years to learn and be able to put into practice.
After around 2 years Sifu Dave moved to train with Master Derek Frearson direct and attended classes in Leicester; Rugby and Nottingham on a regular basis.
After 5 years Sifu Dave opened his own classes up in Nuneaton and Bedworth, teaching Wing Chun. Also, as well as the Wing Chun, Sifu Dave started learning Tai Chi as well as Seven Star Praying Mantis.
Master Derek Frearson has also brought over to the UK, guest Masters of different styles and has arranged trips to China on a regular basis, which Sifu Dave has took part in and has been to China twice meeting the Grand Masters of Wing Chun, (GM Lun Gai); Yang Style Taiji GM Ou Rongju. as well as GM Lee Kam Wing – Northern Seven Star Mantis. GM Lee Kam Wing has attended many seminars in the UK for ITSWA as well as France and around the world. Sifu Dave has also been to France, Hungary and USA with Master Derek Frearson.
Unfortunately, all 3 GM’s have now passed away so Sifu Dave really appreciates that he has had the chance to learn from the GM’s, Master Frearson still trains with the families of all 3 GM’s and continues to promote these 3 traditional styles. along with his Disciples and Students.
For over 45 years Sifu Dave George has been training with Master Derek Frearson, and the International Taijiquan & Shaolin Wushu Association, and became a Disciple in 2024. Sifu Dave is also part of the Traditional Lion Dance Team.
Sifu Dave, now teaches Tai Chi at South Wigston, Leicestershire, His approach to teaching martial arts is to be sincere, friendly and encourage his students to be positive and take their time.
The South Leicester Tai Chi club is affiliated and part of the International Taijiquan & Shaolin Wushu Association.
Yang Family Tai Chi
Yang Family Taijiquan by Sifu Derek Frearson Master Ou was born in November 1919 in the famous boxing city of Foshan in Guangdong province South China. He was a sickly child, and a doctor made two recommendations that he should drink green tea every morning and also practise Chinese Martial Arts.
At the age of 11 he joined the Foshan Chin Woo Athletic association to start his martial arts training. His first area of study was to learn the Chin Wu standardised forms from Master Cai Liqu. He then studied Seven Star Mantis style and Eagle Claw Boxing. In 1946 he moved to Guangzhou to study the Yang family Taijiquan from Master Yang Chengfus eldest son Yang Zhenming (Yang Sau Chung) he learnt the Yang Family Fist Form, Broadsword, Straight Sword, Single Spear and Two Person Spear sets and Pushing Hands.
In 1947 Master Huang Baixiang taught him the Six Combinations and Eight Methods Boxing a very rare internal system. In 1952 he began the study of Wu family Taijiquan, Push Hands and Wu Daliu with one of the great masters of Wu style Wu Gongzao.
After 28 years of study, he began to teach in 1958 and his student’s number in their many thousands including his first foreign student to have learnt the complete Yang Taijiquan system from him Sifu Derek Frearson. He has travelled to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Beijing to demonstrate and exchange experiences with other Masters including Fu Zhongwen and Dong Yingjie. Foshan city organised a competition in 1957 and Master Ou was the winner of the Taijiquan and Taiji Sword event. He also represented Guangdong Province in a national event and gained third place in the Taijiquan category.
Tai Chi originally was a Chinese Martial Art, that included self-defence. but it also had its health benefits too. In modern times its mainly used for gentle exercise; recuperation after Illness and for improving general health. Tai Chi also helps promote good breathing and posture, through a set of movements designed to balance the whole body.
The slow-moving exercises are ideal for those that are not able to participate in many sports or fitness regimes and is ideal for all ages.
Syllabus:
With Tai Chi everyone learns at their own speed, there is no grading’s and no pressure or rush to complete the forms.
We offer the following in Yang Style Tai Chi:
Pictures feature Grand Master Ou Rongju in Foshan, Grand Master Lun Gai in Foshan, Grand Master Lee Kam Wing at the Barnsley Summer Camp UK,
Leicester & Nottingham Lion Dance teams
