Tai Chi Teacher’s Top Award
When Tony Ulatowski became stressed by the pace of life and the pressures of running a business he found the answer by looking east and discovering the ancient art of Tai Chi.
Eighteen years later Tony, who teaches Tai Chi and qi gong at RACC (Richmond Adult Community College), has just returned from Malaysia after being presented with a Masters Instructors Certificate – an award held by only a handful of British exponents of the art.
“I was running three hair salons in the Richmond area and employing 50 staff,” says Tony. “It was a very stressful time and I looked for a way of relieving the pressure. I had always wanted to do a martial art – but I didn’t want black eyes and broken limbs. Tai Chi provided the perfect answer.”
Tai Chi is a form of moving meditation, using slow, controlled movements to develop strength, balance and posture and promote calm. It has been practiced in China for centuries and gained world wide attention when featured during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics last year.
Tony, 50, started teaching at RACC nine years ago and now runs two classes a week, each with 15 students. He spent 3 weeks studying with his master at the Zhong Ding International Martial Arts Association. During Tony’s visit to Penang he was invited to teach at a private school to 16 to 18 year olds, returning to Richmond with a 4th Duan Masters Certificate. In addition to Tai Chi and qi quong, Tony is also starting women’s self defence courses at the College in September.
“One way of describing Tai Chi is active relaxation,” says Tony – who combines teaching with running a hair studio in Union Court, Richmond. “Today, most people experience some degree of stress – particularly because of the recession and Tai Chi can help relieve this. It makes people feel better within themselves and can be practiced almost anywhere, encouraging active relaxation in the workplace can be particularly important.”
Picture shows Tony receiving his Masters Certificate from Master Wong at the Penang school.
