UNIVERSAL FOUNDATIONS
by Chief Instructor Mike Symonds

All styles began with basic foundations and one person. Most styles reflect the personal preferences of its founder, plus his or her background training which may be weighted in the direction of one style or type of training. Not many systems are designed to go back to the traditions, rather than forward to the "street preferences" of the day. T'ien Ti Tao (Pronounced, "Tee-en Dee Dow") is one such system which has leapt across the bounds of time and linked both the ancient past and the distant future. It is uniquely a "modern tradition".

The traditional exercises and self-defence systems of China go back much further than 5,000 years, but most records beyond then have been lost. We know that a Chinese scholar, a man called Huang Ti was an Emperor and also made it part of his life's work to seek out, develop and record many facts about the Taoist Health Arts. He was known as The Yellow Emperor and lived between 2698 - 2587 B.C., which made him 111 years old.

Tao means "The WAY" and refers to the Supreme Ultimate, or Universal Power. To look at it another way we can call it "Nature's way". This may seem understated at first but when you meditate upon it there is no greater power than Nature. Egotistic men and women may play power games with each other, with weapons of mass destruction and with people of other nations, but none will last. Only Nature rules supreme. The Taoist Sages recognised this and taught that it is wiser to live in harmony with Nature than to separate from it and die: a flower separated from its roots withers and dies, its beauty fading very quickly. Men and women who go against nature will also suffer ill health and premature death. Hence the Taoists, those who learn to live with Nature, have found many ways to preserve our lives and live longer and healthier.

THE WAY TO DO IS TO BE
The illusive holistic system is what seems to be lacking nowadays. Whilst people try to invent new ways to exercise, and at the same time discover the problems with the many "western" ways before them (e.g. like aerobic injuries, or injuries from poor equipment), these gimmicky exercises routines do not last long; like the flower that is cut!

Why reinvent the wheel? The Taoist Sages have already invested thousands of years developing health, fitness and healing methods that can not be surpassed. In fact, we see many methods from these being employed in "modern" and usually gimmicky exercise routines, like Yogarobics, Tai Chi Fit and other such nonsense; I say this because I believe these people are fraudulent and do not understand the real values of the exercises, nor have they studied them long term and properly. This presents a danger to the public, you.

I was lucky enough to train with Grand Master C. Chee Soo as a "personal invite student" in his Teacher's Training classes at oriental Dunstable. In 1978 Grand Master Clifford Chee Soo personally came to Norfolk and opened a club in Great Yarmouth for me to run. Teaching K'ai Men and T'ai Chi with a some Ch'i Kung. This was the first club in the Eastern area (there was one Lee Style in Kings Lynn) to teach the traditional Lee Style Taoist arts and authentic kung-fu. The Taoist Arts were studied and integrated into T'ien Ti Tao, as I had originally intended. Grand Master Chee Soo seemed to understand my ambition to rediscover a traditional system and although Chee Soo's family system was amazingly whole it lacked the more Yang physical aspects of the Shao-lin era when Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist knowledge merged to create more holistic practises. Holistic training reflecting the principles of Tao or Yin & Yang should start off developing the body with Yang (strength and power) then move smoothly on to Yin (Internal power and subtlety) just as day turns to night and winter gives way to summer; this may not apply to some ch'i kung or other exercises.
(See TTT Website for Chee Soo articles)

T'ien Ti Tao's "Ch'uan-shu" (self-defence) syllabus now offers a very comprehensive exercise as well as a logical, defensive fighting system; long range, mid range and short range, standing work, floor work and grappling, countering, throwing and controlling techniques which cover Yin and Yang aspects. Classes are attended by all, from Doormen to Security Guards, Mothers and their children, girls who want to keep fit and learn self-defence without fear of injury or insult, ex-karateka or other kung-fu stylists and ordinary people from all walks of life.

The Ch'i Kung and T'ai Chi classes are well attended by those who want to relieve stress or relax; these include bus drivers, office workers and busy mothers, those who want to develop their Ch'i, Yoga practitioners or even people with long term illness who benefit not only from the Qigong but from personal treatments using Ch'i and/or acupressure, traditional analysis and reflex massage and diet (often with surprising results, even for sceptics).


My studies have included:
Taoist philosophy, Taoist K'ai Men - Yoga, Taoist Chang Ming (long Life Diet), T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taiji) & Ch'i Kung (Qigong), Taoist health and healing therapeutic skills, Chinese fighting systems - their theory and principles, history and general theories.

The studies which lead to those were;
Indian Yoga (4 levels), Buddhism, Sufism. Tibetan studies, meditations and specialised exercises, plus other varied aspects including Zen, Kempo, massage therapy, dietetics, herbalism and so on. Mike's other interests include Photography (at one time he did weddings, portraits, commercial and landscape photography), computing; including programming and software problem solving. He has also taken a great interest in psychology, social issues, ecology , journalism and writing in general with many articles appearing in Martial Arts magazines around the world.

FOOTNOTES:
In c.1998 the T'ien Ti Tao syllabus was accepted by Chinese authorities (ICKF R.o. China) as "genuine traditional Chinese Arts". This is a very great and rare honour and it is believed that Mike is the first non-Chinese to have achieved this status. According to the ICKF UK representative [ Master Raymond Goh] one Old Master of the Chinese committee said, "It is probably more traditional than most traditional styles"! I was made 'Ambassador for Kuoshu - East Anglia' and for a while organised and Judged Forms (Taolu) in National and Regional events and served in conjunction with the AMA of Great Britain. Although T'ien Ti Tao is not a competition style, a couple of my students entered the Regional and National Competitions; one girl, Michelle Rook, came 1st (regional) and 3rd National, against very good competitors in a London based "Finals".

My aim is to encourage members of the public to try the Taoist Arts for themselves, Tao is not just a Chinese domain, it is ours as well and it is NOW, not then. I am concerned about people's health and well being, for here in the year 2002 we have as many health problems as there have ever been, both physical and mental. He is If more people seriously practised the Arts it can help improve general health and robustness, correcting imbalances and improving resistance to illness. On the mental health side of things the continuing practises can develop the mind and improve thought train and clarity. It helps practitioners to see themselves and develop in a positive way as well as improving calmness and stability.

Alongside the above has been added the role of President of British Association for Chinese Arts, a role I was asked to take up in early 1997. B.A.C.A. is an association which is non-profit making and provides a highly competitive service to all Chinese Arts practitioners, instructors, clubs or associations. B.A.C.A., like B.N.M.A., aims to negate inter-club politics and foreign interference in British Martial Arts clubs. It also intends to make the public more receptive and aware of the Chinese Arts in Great Britain. By the looks of it this is going to happen as enquiries from Instructors of Chinese Arts come in steadily swelling the numbers of B.N.M.A. associated members weekly. As if this does not keep me busy enough I am at present working on a series of books dealing with the Taoist Arts, the first a simple guide to the Taoist 'Life Force' Philosophy and other titles, all written in plain english.

The Taoist health and healing Arts as passed down to me from Grandmaster C. Chee Soo are highly developed and stem from studies between five hundred to over five-thousand years. They have been whittled down both by Grandmaster Chee Soo and my self to essential principles that work on virtually anyone. Mike says, "Many common illnesses develop from minor complaints and imbalances. Using simple exercise and Qigong we can summon the balance and with regular practice prevent illness. Those who are already developing worse symptoms may need other treatment/s as well as exercise and dietary reform."

Addendum:
in November 2001 Mike Symonds was awarded Instructorship of Dr. Paul Lam's T'ai Chi for Arthritis programme: an exercise specifically designed for arthritis sufferers from the Sun Style; the 12 Step Form was developed by Dr. Lam in conjunction with several Arthritis specialists in Australia where he lives and practises as both a GP and T'ai Chi Ch'uan Instructor of high standing. Shirfu Symonds and junior instructor Shirfu Richard Codling are at present the only authorised instructors in this area.