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Glen Pelham-Mather (D.Ac) - Master Instructor Tai Chi Chuan
British Open Tai Chi Champion (1996, 1997 ,1998, 1999)
Glen Pelham-Mather is one guy who’s taken Prof. Cheng Man-Ching's Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and updated it for the 21st century. With almost 30 years of training in various Martial Art disciplines under the guidance of many world famous teachers and Master Instructors, Glens experience of and incredible passion for Traditional Chinese Martial Arts speaks for itself.
Glen teaches authentic Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Slow Form, Push Hands, San Sou, Kwai Taiji (Fast Tai Chi), Chinese Broadsword, Straight Sword , Martial applications and Chinese Full Contact Boxing. He believes the practice of an internal martial art and understanding the use of soft energy is essential should you wish to participate in competitive contact sparring and that this actually compliments these more high impact and cardiovascular pursuits. Glen also states that the health benefits of practising Tai Chi Chuan far outway the martial prowness that develops naturally over time studying this profound art.
This art has been passed down from Prof. Cheng Man-Ching to Tan Ching Ngee to Sifu Nigel Sutton (Glens teacher) meaning Glen is a third generation Yang Style Disciple and qualified Master Instructor of Tai Chi Chuan through the Zhong Ding Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Association based in Malaysia and Europe.
Born in England to Anglo-Indian and Seychellois parents. Glen showed a keen interest and flair for Martial Arts from a very early age. Taking formal training in Judo at age eleven, Glen soon also started training in Jei Pai, a southern style Chinese Kung Fu. Continuing training in this external system throughout his teenage years, the avid learner quickly learnt punching and kicking techniques, locks, chokes, throws and sweeps, broadsword, long-pole, double stick, nunchuka and empty hand. He also participated successfully in semi and full contact sparring. Sustained a knee injury at eighteen led Glen to Sifu Nigel Sutton and his wife May Fong and through these Master Teachers and Instructors, his study in the art of Tai Chi Chuan flourished. Glen spent the next six years following Nigel and Fong to virtually every public class that they taught, as well as numerous weekend intensive courses held all over the UK.
In 1989 Glen was awarded his 1st Dan Assistant Instructor Certificate. Further extensive training in Yang Style Slow Form, San Shou, Fast Tai Chi (Kwai Taiji), Chinese Broadsword (Dao), Double Edged Straight sword (Jen), Staff, Stick, Push Hands (Tu Shou) and Martial applications taken from the form.
In 1992 Glen was awarded his 2nd Dan Instructors Certificate. He also studied Kwai Taiji (Fast Tai Chi) under Master Liang He Ching of Malaysia, a fourth generation Yang Style Master. Nigel introduced Glen to many famous teachers from the far east including Master Tan Ching Ngee from Singapore, Master Lou Kim Hong from Penang, Master Fu, Master Ko Ah Tee from Kuala Lumpa and Tan Swar Teng of Singapore. Master Tan was a Five Ancestors Chinese Boxing Master which Glen also studied and holds a 2nd Dan Instructor Certificate in this system.
Apart from his extensive training in Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and Five Ancestors Chinese Boxing, Glen has also studied with renowned teachers in Karate, Judo, Kung Fu, Wing Chung, Western Boxing, Ba Gua, Psing-He, Chinese Boxing, Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
In 1996, at the request of his teacher, Glen began teaching his own classes across Sussex, England. They proved to be so popular as interest grew and word spread of Glens talent, enthusiasm and the fun, friendly environment that he created. He very quickly had to expand the number of classes to cope with the increasing demand. His unique aim to popularise Tai Chi to all ages and abilities led Glen to teach for the Parkinson’s Research Charity, West Sussex Police, EDF Energy, Government Councils and the National Health Services. Various studies were undertaken, all with remarkable results as it was soon proven beyond doubt that this was a healthy and enjoyable practise for all whilst giving amazing benefits for stress relief.
In April 1996, Glen entered the much coveted British Open Tai Chi Championships held in London, England. He had entered the fixed step Pushing Hands (Tu Shou) and moving step in the 65 kilo category. He successfully defeated the current champion in the 2nd round after his opponent was unable to continue. Glen accepted the Gold medal in the fixed step and another Gold for the moving step category. He was also awarded a Silver medal for his Five Ancestors Broadsword form in the External Weapons event. Glen successfully defended his British Open title for four consecutive years whilst also training in Full Contact Chinese Boxing. By now he was teaching twenty-seven classes a week in Health Clubs and Fitness Centres as well as weekend courses in London, Kent , Devon, Spain and Ibiza.
In 1998, after being graded to a 3rd Dan Senior Instructor, Glen entered the International Tai Chi Grand Championships with competitors from the USA, Spain, France, Germany and the UK. Competitors were required to demonstrate that they could apply all the essential principles in the art of Tai Chi Chuan, a traditional Slow Form, a Traditional Weapon, Tu Shou (Push Hands), and Chinese Full Contact Boxing including the use of knees, elbows, chokes, locks and groundwork. Glen demonstrated his skill in each of these events and knocked his opponent out in the first round of the Full Contact competition thus winning his category. Using the principles learnt in Tai Chi, Glen had learnt how to let his opponent move first but arrive first and how to use the soft to overcome the hard as described in the classic writings of the art.
Glen continued to teach and compete, encouraging many of his students to victory in competitions, enabling them to gain experience and confidence in themselves. Many of Glens students have been training with him for over ten years and are now teachers and instructors in their own right. His classes still run in Sussex, England taught by his most experienced and trusted students and Disciples.
Glen arrived with his family in Goa, India in November 2006 to teach Tai Chi and to promote health and well living through soft gentle exercise and diet. Already a talented and qualified massage therapist in No-Hands Massage, Shiatsu and a Usui Reiki Master Teacher, he continued his studies of Chinese Medicine and completed a Diplomas in Acupuncture, Acupressure and Shiatsu in February 2008 whilst assisting in a popular and busy Naturopathic clinic in Palolem, Goa.
In February 2008, Glen was head hunted by a renowned Mumbai Film Company who requested assistance in launching a new Bollywood Star. They required the newcomer to be prepared for his first project which was a Hindi Martial Arts action movie. Glen devised daily rigorous four hour training sessions for the star including acupuncture and massage treatments with incredible results after a short amount of time. The Film Company were so impressed with Glens expertise and adaptability they requested that he stay on for a further three months to train and join the stunt team made up of Indian and Hollywood stunts players. Glen succeeded in physically training, practising, choreographing and advising on some of the fight scenes for the promotional video shown at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival.
He is currently launching the first combined Traditional Martial Arts and Dance Academy with his wife (professional dancer Katie Holland) in India. This centre of excellence will enable students to develop individually with the gentle guidance of the couple and will also house a natural therapies clinic.
Glen continues teaching courses across Europe and India, sharing his invaluable expertise in the Martial aspects of Tai Chi, coupled with awareness of the art for health, relaxation, stress reduction and well-being. Tailor-made fitness programs for the complete beginner to the athlete and/or film star, improving and developing ways to train the mind, body and soul to achieve the serenity and peace of mind with the physical look that you’ve always wanted.
Now rewarded with the title of Master Instructor, Glen continues to explore ways of making Martial Arts more accessible for all. Combining and applying his extensive knowledge in Martial Arts and Chinese medicine on all levels (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) not only for himself, but for all he teaches and comes into contact with. Glen is the perfect example of the extraordinary benefits and balance in all aspects of life that Tai Chi has to offer.
Glen continues his film and stunt work. Acting as a consultant to gyms and individuals he has created a NEW style of cardiovascular and specific muscular fitness training which gives fast and effective results. Plus a NEW Tai Chi form easily adapted for the workplace which has led to his great demand within the corporate market for team building exercises and his on-site massage skills. He has devised a complete program through fitness, diet, acupuncture and massage to combat stress in the workplace.
Glen states that his passion and love in life (apart from his three children and his wife!) is firstly Tai Chi Chuan but his hobby and favourite past time is learning traditional Chinese Kung Fu and to promote the fantastic benefits to all that decide to take that path. Glen continues his lifelong study of Martial Arts and Chinese Medicine, combining them and taking them to new levels of expertise and development.
Intensive certificated courses are also available for those wishing to build a career in Martial Arts, stunts players and the fitness industry.
Retreats in India and Morocco for the experience of a lifetime.
AS FEATURED IN LONELY PLANET
