The Teacher
Hamid Momtahan BA, MA
Between 1970-1973 I studied hard and external martial arts. Then in 1992 I began studying Qigong with Amadis Cammell. Soon afterwards, in 1996, I discovered T’ai Chi on one of my business trip to China. As Chinese say; when you are ready the teacher will come!
Since 1996 I have been a student at ‘The T’ai Chi Centre’ under the tuition of Master Mark Raudva. In 2000, I completed an Instructor Training Programme with Master Mark Raudva. In 2006 I began studying with Grand Master Dr John Kells founder of British T’ai Chi Ch’uan Association. Further to this, I regularly study with Master Steven Moore at his ‘T’ai Chi Heart-Work’ intensives in London. Since January 2009, I started learning Water Style Boxing from: Sifu Nathan Menaged in USA. I also studied with: Master Jennifer Lee, Grandmaster William Chi Cheng Chen, Adam Mizner founder of Heaven Man Earth Taiji and Andy Mack. I attended many workshops in UK and Europe on “Taichi Push Hands”.
In 2008 I took an early retirement as Business Development Manager and Educational Technology Developer from Thames Valley University and after 30 years service in various educational establishments. In the same year I established South London Taichi, focusing on teaching T’ai Chi to corporate businesses and mature people.
I have completed Professor Cheng Man-ch’ing’s Short Form, Yang Chengfu’s Long Form, the Left-Side, Weapon Form (Sabre), alongside Qigong, Sticking, Heartwork and Spirals (silk-reeling) exercises. Partner Work, Pushing-Hands, and Ta Lu have been all integral part of this learning process. I am currently learning T’ai Chi Dance, other Weapons Forms (Straight Sword and Staff). Since January 2009, I started learning Water Style Boxing (Liu He Ba Fa) from Paul Andrews in Brighton and Sifu Nathan Menaged in USA.
While I acknowledge the martial aspect of the T’ai Chi art, my approach to teaching is essentially a non-combative soft T’ai Chi, focussing on relaxation, fitness and health.
I was invited to run introductory sessions in T’ai Chi for UCU (Universities & Colleges Union) members in Lambeth, Clapham Park Project (Women’s Group), Balmuir Gardens GP Surgery, Ferndale Community Centre-Brixton, Wandsworth Council - Festive Reunion Event (MEND) and Active Days Conference - 2009 supported by the Age Concern in Wandsworth. In recent months I have taught many sessions in the following Centres across London, Wandsworth Primary Care Trust-St Michaels Day Centre in Clapham, Graveney Day Care Centre in Tooting, Age Activity Centre in Tooting, St John’s Hill Centre in Battersea, Battersea Scout Centre, Elmwood Court in Battersea, Ashmead Care Centre, Open Door Community Centre, Primrose Hill Community Centre in Camden, Amida and Nuffield Health Clubs in Twickenham, Lambeth Festival of Sport 2009, Active Workplaces Project for NHS-PCT around London (Government Office of London), “Black Sun PLC” employees in Fulham, The Furzedown Festival in Wandsworth, Honeywell infant school in Battersea, in July 2010 invited to present a programme to British Lung Foundation in South West London and In September 2010 participated in the Activate Programme by Lambeth Council.
I am currently teaching T’ai Chi to the over 50s in Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea, the Open Group in Battersea, “Taichi for All Ages” in Crystal Palace and a few one-to-one classes in the West London area. I stopped teaching in the reCentre private Health Clinic in Balham - London 2009 -2017. This class is now being taught by my colleague Henry Goldstein on Mondays.
I am also a qualified First Aider and was active volunteer with St John Ambulance serving in South West London region till 2016. In September 2010: I completed a Disability Inclusion Training for sports coaches by The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).
Please see: “WORK HISTORY” For full list.