Morné Swanepoel has been studying and training Tai Chi since the early 1990's. He has trained with some of the most qualified Instructors known in the Internal Arts today and is personally trained and certified by one of the only Westerners who has obtained a Masters Degree from China in
the Internal Arts, Master Erle Montaigue.
The WTBA is the largest Tai Chi Association known today worldwide. Morné is proud to represent and head the World Taiji Boxing Association (WTBA) here in South Africa. Also check out www.jkd.co.za for Morné's personal biography.
Message from Master Erle Montaigue
To our WTBA members in South Africa
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the WTBA in South Africa. I am pleased that we have a fully fledged branch of our organization in South Africa with Morné Swanepoel at the helm.
We are different to other organizations in that we give a lot more freedom and autonomy to our worldwide groups to allow them to work it all out for themselves. Only in this way will you all learn naturally by your own resources.
At first, people who are used to strict regimentation will find this method a little strange. However, in the long run, I have found this way the best for learning and after all, it is the learning that is the most important thing and not the organization!
My own saying or philosophy is that you should not "Live for the martial arts, but rather Martial Art to Live". This means that we only do the martial arts to enhance our lives and that of others around us. And if the martial arts becomes an obsession for some and hinders family life etc., then its purpose has changed form something evil and not good!
Learn to laugh at your martial arts and at yourselves, do not take it all too seriously, have some fun along the way and you will find that you move ahead much quicker than being so serious and fanatical!
Respect your instructor ONLY if he or she respects you and if he or she does not, then you should not be in that class to begin with!
We are all human beings and as such are all equal, so do not place your instructor up onto a pedestal as he only has that much further to fall! Just consider he or she (myself included) as someone who has had the good fortune to have trained with some giants and who is able to impart that knowledge to others for their own well-being.
There is much to learn, however, do not try to learn it all at once, take it easy and only learn what you are able. Eventually you will look back and see just how far you have come. This is what happens to everyone including myself. It seems that only yesterday I was learning basics and somewhere along the way something happened and I changed, hopefully for the better. Well at least that what my wife tells me! Your internal martial arts has the ability to help you in your re-birthing, something of which we all must go through in order to advance both physically and mentally and spiritually.
I am not some kind of God, I am only Erle, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any troubles or questions as that is my job.
Kind Regards
Erle Montaigue
www.erle.co.uk
Master Erle Montaigue is one of the foremost authorities on the internal Martial Arts. Master Erle Montaigue has been practicing the martial/healing art of Tai Chi Chuan since 1968. His teachers include:
- Master Wong Eog(1968)
- Master Chu King Hung (1973) London
- Grand-Master Chang Yiu-Chun one of the only 2 disciples of Yang Shou-Hou.
Master Erle became the first student of Master Chu in London in 1973. Chu was one of the 3 disciples of Yang Sau-chung, (1909-1985) the eldest son of the great Master Yang Cheng Fu.
Master Erle was formerly introduced to Yang Sau-chung in 1981 & visited him at his home in Hong Kong to have his form corrected.
In 1985, Master Erle and 8 of his students became the first Westeners to be asked to perform at the all China Wushu Tournament in Yinchuan China. There, Master Erle was tested by 4 of the world's greatest Chinese Masters and was awarded the degree of 'MASTER', the only Westerner to be given this Honor. Master Erle regards Grand Master Chang Yiu-chun his main teacher from whom he learnt the 'old yang style' & the Dim Mak.
Master Erle's books, videos & articles have helped to change the way that people look at the internal martial arts. His videos Are viewed all around the world and his books are even sold in China. He is the chairman of the World Taiji Boxing Association, Chairmain of the World Therapeutic Movement Association
Vice Chairman of the Federation of Australasian Wushu & Kung Fu organizations. Editor of the Combat & Healing Magazine and has his own column in 'Australasian Fighting Arts magazine'.
He is also the Australasian Correspondent for Fighting Arts International, the prestigious British International Martial Arts Magazine and writes his column for this magazine. In May 1995, Master Erle Montaigue became the first westerner to go to China to learn from the original Wudang Shan Group, the keeper of the original Dim-Mak Qi Disruptive Forms. He has been teaching since 1977. Master Erle is also the head of the World Taiji Boxing Association and is one of the biggest Tai Chi Associations in the world.
