Master Ding Academy Ireland - Traditional Tai Chi Chuan

28/09/2025

We had a great weekend with Master’s John and Alan Ding in Dublin on September 20th and 21st.

Instead of the normal two topics over two days, this weekend was spent on one topic alone: Connection. We first looked into this in our July workshop, with the view to expand and deepen our understanding with this two day Masterclass.

And it worked. On multiple levels.

Not only did we work on connection within our own bodies and with a partners system, we also got to live out those principles in the larger context. Connecting once more with Master John and Alan Ding, reforging connections with visiting training partners from the UK. But also forming new connections. We had a sizeable contingent from MDA in Lithuania, (and I think I speak for us all when I say we are impressed with the quality of Tai Chi being taught there), and even better, representation from another Tai Chi school here in Dublin.

Everyone walked into the room with open minds and hearts. Fantastic.

One pic from the weekend below, (please don’t judge, I’m not a photographer). Master Alan Ding sharing some knowledge via direct transmission..

Carry on!

07/09/2025

Hi Everyone,

Just a final reminder about Master Ding’s visit to Dublin:

20th and 21st September: Open Masterclass

Open to all who are interested in learning. Meet and learn from a Master of the Art and founder of the Master Ding Academy.

22nd – 25th September: Snake form Masterclass

Completion of the long form at a minimum. If you’re interested, let me know and we can discuss.

We have places available at both events, and all are welcome.

If you’re unsure, have a go, it’s the only way to know!

Ross

02/09/2025

Master Ding Academy full time Tai Chi Centre in Limehouse, London.

A precious resource to us all.

05/08/2025

Chi Kung is the foundation of all.

Regular practice is key.

Take a look at our easy to use, (free), Chi Kung timer app. Chose the number of intervals and the duration of each.

Not complicated, simple..

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/mda-qtimer/id1323806372

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.intoppa.qtimerIonic

04/08/2025

With our second weekend of our 2 year Accelerator Course complete, I’d just like to say well done to all in attendance. It was a full weekend focussing on Chi Kung, Taoist Core exercises and form corrections. Liberally seasoned with lots of posture testing and light application work.

Your commitment and focus over the weekend were clear. As we move forward, keep in mind that a little bit of practice done often is far more valuable than a lot every now and then. Consistency is the key to real progress. And while the comfort zone may feel familiar, nothing grows there.

Keep going, stay steady, and keep the enquiring mind.

Verify verify verify

19/07/2025

Well done to all who attended todays Tai Chi workshop focussing on Connection.

In the morning we focused on Intraconnection, that being connection within ourselves. Amongst other things Tai Chi is about unity of body and mind. Establishing and maintaining that state through change.

In the afternoon we looked at Interconnection, that being connection with others. It’s about understanding the flows around us and moving with those flows in an integrated, dynamic way.

Here are some words from a couple of first time attendees…

‘just wanted to say thank you for a really great workshop, falling asleep here but it was exactly what I was after, I had a great time’

‘honestly, the best thing about today was that of the 30 people there, 29 invested in me and helped develop me - it was such a collegial and mutually supportive experience… and reflects so positively on the art, the organisation and teachers.’

That sounds like connection to me.

See you next time.

Ross

11/07/2025

Developing the skills you need to succeed.

London 28-31st August
Dublin 22nd - 26th September

2025 Special Masterclass
Cheung Kuen Se Ying
(Snake Form Long Fist) & Applications

This year, do not miss your chance to deepen your practice of Cheung Kuen Se Ying, a dynamic and compact form developed by Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak, 5th Generation Yang Style Lineage Holder and first disciple of Master Yang Sau Chung, the Yang Style lineage successor. Designed to cultivate internal strength, this unique form blends precision, power, and subtle deflection.

You will have another two exclusive opportunities to train in this rarely taught form during intensive 4-day open Masterclasses led by Master John Ding, 6th Generation Yang Style lineage and first disciple of Grandmaster Ip Tai Tak.

Master Ding emphasises the traditional approach of Gau Sau (exchange hands), giving participants the chance to not only learn the Snake Form in detail, but to experience its true application through hands-on practice.

⸻

What to Expect?
Over the four days, you will learn the complete Cheung Kuen Se Ying form, with structured daily training that includes:
• Chi Kung III
• Daoist internal energy exercises
• In-depth instruction and correction of Snake Form postures
• Application practice with Gau Sau

- All sessions will be closely supervised by Master Ding, ensuring a high-quality and immersive learning experience.
- Be prepared for intensive training that is both challenging and rewarding.

⸻

Who Should Attend?
This masterclass is open to:
• Tai Chi practitioners with at least 3 years of experience
• Martial artists from external styles seeking to explore internal systems
• Students who’ve previously learned the form and wish to refine their skills and deepen their understanding

⸻

Course Details :

London, United Kingdom
Venue: MDA HQ Limehouse
Thursday, 28th - 31st August
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Contact: info@masterdingacademy.com
Or check our website- events section

Dublin, Ireland
Monday, 22nd -25th September
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Yogahub Dublin, 5–9 Camden Ct, Camden Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
t: Ross Cousens – 0877 527 013
e: ross@masterdingacademy.com

⸻

Reserve Your Place
This is a rare opportunity to train in a powerful internal martial art under direct lineage guidance.

Spaces are limited – book early to secure your spot and receive a discounted course fee.

For more details or to register:
Check events section on our website www.masterdingacademy.com
e: info@masterdingacademy.com

06/07/2025

Thanks to Daha and Sisterly Shots for the chance to share a little Tai Chi in a beautiful location. There was a swim afterwards, but not me...

11/06/2025

Congratulations to everyone who completed the first weekend of our two-year accelerator course!

Your commitment is clear, and the good work is already underway. Now’s the time to take what you’ve learned and apply it wherever you can—small shifts lead to big changes.

02/06/2025

Hi Everyone,

After a successful Instructor Retreat, class are now set to reopen this week, recommencing on Tuesday June 3rd.

Looking forwards to seeing you all soon.

Ross

23/05/2025

Hi Everyone,



It’s come to that time of year again, the time when all MDA Instructors gather in the UK for our Annual Instructor Retreat.



It’s a week spent with Masters John and Alan Ding digging deeper into and further refining our Art.



Amongst its benefits are firstly, consistency. No matter which MDA Instructor you visit, we’re all teaching the same thing, as best we can. Of course, our individual style varies, but the content, the meat on the bones, is consistent. Secondly, time spent with Masters’ Ding is time invested in the improvement of our own art. And if we can do things better, then we can teach things better…



So, we’re away for the next week and as such, classes will be closed, reopening in the first week of June.



That’s no excuse to slack off though. As MDA Instructors we don’t ask for perfection, all we want from you, and for you, is your best effort.



Keep practicing.



See you soon.

17/04/2025

Congratulations to everyone who attended Master Ding’s two one-day masterclasses in Dublin this April. Training directly under a senior lineage holder offers a clear standard and a deeper insight into the foundations of traditional Tai Chi. Well done to all who showed up, stayed focused, and put in the work—your effort and attention made the most of a valuable weekend of practice.

Master Ding will be returning to Dublin later in the year:

September 20th and 21st for open Masterclasses, and
September 22nd to 25th for Snake Form Intensive.

Keep practicing!