Cloud Hands Tai Chi
Learn TAI CHI with YOKE CHIN, Kingsford, Sydney
Students of all levels welcome.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Chin Kham Yoke, a Malaysian born Chinese, began studying Tai Chi in the Yang tradition of Grand Master Cheng Man Ching in the early 1970s with teachers in Taiwan and later in Japan. In 1986 Yoke was recommended to Master Huang Sheng Shyan, an important master in the world of Yang form Tai Chiand outstanding disciple of the renowned Tai Chi Yang lineage Grand Master Cheng Man Ching.
See the Media and Links page for links to Master Huang's demonstration of his extraordinary skills, and witness the powerful joy that emanated from this master who embraced Tai Chi with his entire being.
For Yoke the immense stature, integrity and vision of Master Huang's Tai Chi was a powerful inspiration and provided a strong direction. She was admitted to his school in 1986, and continued intensive training with him until his death, participating in his workshops in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
From 1976-1991, Yoke lived in Japan, teaching Tai Chi in Kyoto, Tokyo and Hofu while pursuing intensive research and professional studies in the ancient arts of Japanese dance and Noh drama. She also sought to challenge, explore and create from the classical roots of Eastern movement philosophy in her own dance choreography.
In 1992 Yoke returned to Sydney, bringing with her a new climate of change in the Australian performing environment, and between 1992-1999 she received funding from the Australian Performing Arts Council and various other major funding bodies, at home and abroad, to bring Tai Chi philosophy and principles into the theatre and dance practices of her own performances and choreography.
"The appeal of an art object, an extraordinary piece of music or a performer's virtuoso performance can exhibit Tai Chi principles in practice. The magic lies in the presence of stillness in movement, natural poise and balance, fluidity, aliveness and the refinement of skills. To arouse, sincerely embody and develop these qualities in everyday living is the essence and spirit of the art of Tai Chi."
Chin Kham Yoke
In 1997 Yoke co-founded the Sydney Tai Chi school Tai Chi Works, offering intensive teaching both in Sydney and through workshops in Europe and Japan. In 2015, she founded her own Tai Chi school, Cloud Hands Tai Chi.
Yoke is not only a traditional Tai Chi practitioner and teacher. She brings a holistic approach to her Tai Chi practice through her intensive study and understanding of the related art of Qi (Chi) Gong, as well as through her healing work using Bowen Therapy, Emmett Technique, and Dorn Therapy [Yoke Chin Bowen Therapist]. As an adjunct to the Tai Chi and Qi Gong practice, these healing techniques have helped her students to heal injuries and acted as a kind of first aid against progressive traumas. The combination has become a powerful tool for ongoing self-healing on all levels.
Alongside her lifelong practice of Tai Chi, Yoke has integrated her understandings of Eastern philosophy in her practice of the related arts of dance and Chinese calligraphy. She has performed both locally and internationally as a solo dancer and choreographer, and her calligraphy has been exhibited in Sydney and Hong Kong. Samples of it can be seen on this website. For Yoke, artistic expression is a natural extension of her devotion to the principles embodied in Tai Chi.
Yoke Chin demonstrating a Tai Chi form
Yoke Chin demonstrating Qigong Circling Hands Vertical Circle diagonal stance
My Teachers
Grand Master Huang Sheng Shyan (1910-1992)
Huang is one of the key disciples of Grand Master Cheng Man Ching. He is renowned in the world of Yang style Taichi as a great master of immense knowledge, skill and integrity in the practice of the art of Taichi, healing and in the martial arts. Living and breathing Tai Chi was Huang's very existence. I had the great good fortune and privilege to train with him at the very beginning of my Tai Chi journey. His impact on me has been far-reaching and is still key to my continued development.
"Tai Chi is not a martial art meant for bragging and antagonistic purposes. A Tai Chi exponent needs to understand the principles and philosophy of the art. No one should deviate from these principles and philosophy. The movements can be developed and modified but the principles are eternal."
Grandmaster Huang Sheng Shya
Master Huang Sheng Shyan and Yoke Chin
Master Huang Sheng Shyan and Yoke Chin Push Hands practice
Master Huang Sheng Shyan
The late Yang Taichi lineage Grand Master Cheng Man Ching and his disciple the late Master Huang Sheng Shyan
Bruce Frantzis
Based in the US, Bruce is a widely-esteemed lineage holder in Lao Tse's Taoist Water Tradition, who trained under the late Taoist sage Liu Hung Chieh. Bruce's passion, creativity and enthusiasm in teaching the wisdom of Taoism is infectious. Through training with him I have deepened and expanded my own development and integrated it into my Qigong and Taichi practices and teaching.
"The end purpose of all Taoism resides in meditation and alchemy , where the individual ultimately understands and becomes one with the mystery of the universe"
Bruce Frantzis
Bruce Frantzis
The late Taoist Lineage Master Liu Hung Chieh and his disciple Bruce Frantzis
Bruce Frantzis and Yoke Chin
