About Alan & Barbie

The Academy Tai Chi in Norfolk was started by Barbara and Alan Smith who have been teaching and studying Tai Chi for many years. Both are qualified fitness instructors, with an array of qualifications in the field of the external arts, including King Fu as well as Tai Chi.
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Alan's journey to Tai Chi encompassed boxing, at the tender age of 12, then  judo at the local youth club. This was his first taste of what was to become a lifelong passion for health, fitness and Chinese martial arts. Alan trained in Kung Fu on leaving the navy and subsequently became regional coach with the British WuShu Association. In his role as Kung Fu trainer, he organised a demonstration of Tai Chi and was amazed at the beauty, precision and serenity of the form. Later Alan found that some forms greatly aided his recovery from a back injury. 

Both Alan and Barbara are members of the  Tai Chi Institute for Health where they train and undertake ongoing continuous professional development and updating under the supervision of Dr Paul Lam. More information at: www.taichiforhealthinstitute.org.

Now Alan and Barbie are, as they say, "lucky and blessed with being able to teach something that it is a joy and a privilege to be a part of."


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The images above are just a small selection from many hundreds of classes and workshops that Barbara and Alan have attended and led over the years.