John R Kells

John Kells (born 1940 in Dublin) started Tai Chi in London, 1967, under a student of Liang Tung-tsai (whom John also later studied with) called John Yelenesian. Since then he has had nine teachers of substance, including two Tibetan buddhists, the most important being:

Chi Chiang-tao (1919-1994): the top student of Cheng Man-ch'ing (1900-1975) and the supreme yielder of his generation. All who met him attest to his saintly character.

Yang Shou-chung (1907-1985): the son of Yang Cheng-fu who taught John much about spirit.

Hsieh Chi-sheng: a top student of Chen Wei-ming with many martial artist friends who also helped John in his Tai Chi studies. Master Hsieh also taught John Pa Gua and Hsing I.

Liang Tung-tsai (1900-2002): full of mischief and humour whose wife introduced John to Chi Chiang-tao.

Wang Yen-nien (1913- ): student of Chang Chin-lin and of impeccable character with whom John studied power.

From 1961 to 1982 John also received internal instruction from a Harley Street doctor of mixed Icelandic and French descent. This man taught from an ancient European lineage (far older than Tai Chi). The teaching was largely without words and was elemental in the extreme ndash; all about power, transformation and particularly HEART.

John opened the British T'ai Chi Ch'uan Association in 1970 and started teaching, mainly to train up people to Push Hands with. In 1977, after his principle teacher, Chi Chiang-tao (Dr Chi) had spent over a year in London bringing John up to a high level, he started teaching in a big way, with beginner's classes commencing monthly, until 1993. It is estimated that from 1977 to 1993 John taught over 10,000 students. From 1991 to the present John has spent most his time researching and investigating the new Heartwork – the principles of which have sprung mainly from his Icelandic teacher, though the physical manifestation is still largely Tai Chi. For more details visit John's website.

The essence of true destiny is yielding.
The essence of yielding is softness.
The essence of softness is entering.
The essence of entering is welcoming openness.
The essence of openness is heart.

John Kells

Steven W Moore

Steven took up Tai Chi under Grand Master John R Kells of the British Tai Chi Chuan Association in 1984 whilst still a PhD student at the University of London. He realised almost immediately that this was indeed a great teaching from a great teacher and within six months (after completing the PhD) resolved to devote the rest of his life to it. In 1992 he was granted the title Master of Tai Chi Chuan. He started teaching in 1987 for Grand Master Kells at the BTCCA and also for various adult education institutes in and around London. In 2001 he moved with his teacher into the Forest of Dean to live under monastic conditions, researching and developing the deep principles of Heartwork. Whilst in the Forest he started travelling every 3 months to Cork in Ireland to hold Heartwork seminars with Ann McIlraith and her Tai Chi students. Each seminar confirmed his conviction that the vitality and simplicity of Heartwork combined with the rigour and grace of Tai Chi is a potent method for transformation. In 2006 he moved to Israel.