Patrick Foley

Patrick Foley was brought up in Singapore and Malaysia and still has very strong ties to the culture of the Far East. He was first inspired by the martial arts when he was introduced to a Kung Fu master in Malaysia at age 15. He began his exploration of Tai Chi in the late 1980's, after 5 years of judo, jujitsu and karate training with 8th Dan judo sensei Joe Robinson. Unfortunately competition training had left him with two very damaged knees, and he was told to drop all contact sports. In 1991 Patrick joined Tai Chi teacher Brian Cooper's Brighton class (Inside Tai Chi) and has been practising under his guidance ever since.

Originally learning Rose Lee's version of the old Wu long form with Brian, Patrick was then introduced to lineage-holder Bruce Frantzis (Energy Arts), on whose methods Brian had decided to focus his teachings. From 1993 to the present, Patrick has based his practice on Bruce's very undiluted teachings. He has studied the Wu-style short and long forms, Taoist Neigong, Push Hands Bagua and Meditation with Bruce and Brian. He has also studied various other Tai Chi and Chi Gung styles, including Fan Form, with teachers in Malaysia.

Since around 2012 Patrick also began studying with Master Sam Masich, to better develop his understanding of traditional Taijiquan subjects, including the full 5 Section Taijiquan curriculum, Yang 108, Yang sword and sabre and push hands (tui shou). Studying with Sam has been a deeply satisfying and liberating experience and Patrick hopes to focus his future studies in this direction with this world-renown teacher.

Patrick began teaching in 2004 and is an senior instructor of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, and certified Level 2 Energy Arts instructor, Five Section Taijiquan instructor (Full Curriculum), Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Set 1 Certified and Tai Chi for Health and Energy instructor (lapsed).

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