TESTAMONIALS

"I took up Tai Chi and Qigong when i moved to Manchester to work 6 years ago having previously studied other forms of martial arts. I was attracted by the gentler forms. I was looking for both exercise and attracted by the forms for development of my Chi. I have enjoyed it immensely and it has exceeded all of my expectations. I love the practice and camaraderie of the Club. Both forms are well suited to my advancing years, the flexibility of them suit all ages. We have an excellent Sifu in Jamal and this adds to the experience. I cannot recommend highly enough the practice of both forms and the enormous value obtained from them both physically and in the development of Chi"

Robert Jordan

"I`ve been thinking about my own Tai Chi experience over the last few days since the post and i realise it has changed a quite a bit in lockdown. At first it was a nice gentle form of exercise and a lovely class where i met some lovely people. In lockdown it became a little anchor to the outside world and more recently I`ve been using it as a form of mindfulness meditation. Being able to use the recorded lessons from the online library has helped me to try to improve myself while actually sticking to a routine. I am able to concentrate and listen to my breathing and feel how my body is feeling, its a great way to start the day. Thank you again Sifu for all your hard work."

Jenny Duhig

"I have been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for about a year. I find the practice a wonderful way to relax, and gives me a sense of calm which continues into the rest of the day (much needed in my busy family life)!
I really feel the benefit for my wellbeing and look forward to the classes each week. Attending classes means there is a set time for practice, and combine this with using the online resources which i can use anytime is fantastic. The group is very welcoming to newcomers and Sifu Alek is warm and encouraging to everyone".

Nichola Dunn

"I find that Tai Chi and Qigong complements other exercises and hobbies that i do, building up strength and flexibility in muscles not otherwise targeted. Now that i am more familiar with the routines, i can do some whenever i have a moment throughout the day, so as to build up stamina, and maintain the benefit. Our Sifu guides us individually, leading us towards our own improvements, whilst making it very enjoyable."

Rosie Carrol

I feel privileged and honoured to have found my gifted and humbled Sifu Jamal Alek. Such a brilliant teacher with great attention to practice detail with knowledge and wisdom. I commit to the life time journey of practice training, teacher training and self cultivation with Sifu Jamal Alek at the Tai Chi Kung Fu Centre.
I encourage you to try these ancient art forms of moving meditation with breath and mind cultivation as one. Tai Chi and Qigong is medically proven to improve your health on so many levels. I love it

Jenna Robins

I have been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for over 15 years and in 2019 i acheived my instructors level 2 certification under the watchful eye of Master Jamal Alek and Grandmaster Liming Yue. I feel very proud of my improvements and achievements. Since meeting my Sifu, my life has jumped paths to a better outlook, i have improved in self in many different areas. Thank you Tai Chi. Thank you Sifu

David Bowker

It is a nice place to practice and the instructors are very good. I have gained a better understanding of my body posture and better mindfulness practice to feel more grounded.

Lee Mckerrow

"My husband and i are beginners in Tai Chi and we are very lucky to learn from one of the best instructors for Chen Tai Chi. Sifu Jamal Alek is patient, professional, easy to follow his clear instructions and explanations. His attention to detail combined with energetic and engaging teaching style has enabled us to progress very quickly. Its a great experience that Tai Chi practice with Sifu can be dynamic and fun (his training exercises tire us out)! as well as calm and therapeutic (Qigong breathing and listening to our body). Our Sifu is a caring teacher and often reminds us what to pay attention to as beginners so that we wont hurt ourselves during the practice. We were deeply drawn to Tai Chi and Qigong after the first few classes and now we practice almost daily. We feel good and happy after every single class. Thank you so much Alek Sifu"!

Fion Chow

I admire and respect Master Chen Jamal Alek for his impressive knowledge and beautiful tai chi, he is a fantastic instructor who possesses great teaching skills, i have progressed much since training with him and i enjoy every single class, hes a patient and dedicated no matter the number of students, he manages to pay individual attention.
Soon after starting tai chi, the pain i had in my knees for years, gradually went away. My energy and wellbeing increased, it keeps me fit and helps me to control stress.

Angeles Lopez

I used to have recurring back problems, they are as good as gone now, my posture is much better and generally feel better physically and mentally. Im finding it much easier to keep a cool head in difficult situation, also have buns of steel from all the squatting.

Russel Ackers

An excellent and supportive nurturing environment to positive exercise taught by experts, and it works.

Jeremy Hollingworth

Clear and interesting instruction, good place and i enjoy the change in emphasises between sessions ie sometimes form routines or more gentle and meditation or martial or health exercise. Benefits calming for blood pressure and flexibility. Concentration on the forms is a benefit at the end of a busy day.

Andrea A

I am learning from videos at home and by coming to the Altrincham/Bowdon Class on Thursday afternoons. i feel more confident with my postures and movements and Sifu Jamals help as he is a fantastic teacher, the classes are realy enjoyable and also very relaxing.

Sue Mcgreggor

The benefits for me are many. Treating knee pain/discomfort, help with mood, anxiety, sleeping, confidence and racing thoughts. also connecting with the body and how it works, energies blood flow etc.
Sifu Jamal has a good way of combining many aspects of tai chi, even if the time is limited

George S

It is with great confidence that i write this testimonial/recommendation.

Master Jamal Alek has been the head Tai Chi teacher at the North West Chinese Language Centre for over 10 years. He is very professional in his approach and showed amazing patience and care with the students.

The many children who have taken his classes over the years have always been positive about them. Themselves and parents also on many occasions tell me how much they enjoy doing Tai Chi with Master Jamal. The classes gave the children more motivation and mental energy which helped them to focus during their Chinese language classes afterwards.

Along with being organised and prepared. Master Jamal has the ability to quickly build a positive rapport with both students and other members of staff at the school, and he is well liked by both children and adults. He has taught over 500 students over the years, covering Chinese new year performances and end of school graduations for over 10 years. Truly an inspiration to work with.

I highly recommend Master Jamal Alek and feel that anyone taking his Tai Chi classes will feel the benefits.

Headteacher of Northwest Chinese Language Centre

Winnie Lau Chan

I have found that taking up Tai Chi has opened up my life and mind. It has also given me alot to think about.

Sifu is very informative, caring and helpful tutor. The class is very friendly and i was made most welcome from the start. When i return home i feel very relaxed and calm.

Sheila Rawcliffe

When i first started to attend the class, i wasnt sure if Tai Chi was the right thing for me, but i continued.

The other members of the class are friendly and welcoming. If you live alone, this is an added bonus.

The hall is fairly large, so we have plenty of space. The teacher is easy to see demonstrating exactly what each exercise and movement entails. From his position he can see when people are struggling and gives individual help, advice and encouragement. I find the movements challenging mentally and physically, and i am always tired at the end of the session.

Looking back now, i am glad that i continued. I feel a sense of achievement with the progress i have made so far.

I hope by continuing i will keep improving, even if it is slowly.

Jean Arnold

I have been a student of Tai Chi for quite a few years now and have been privileged to meet and learn from some excellent teachers along the way.

My introduction to Tai Chi started off when seeking rehabilitation after a bad motorcycle accident which had severely impacted my balance and mobility. Tai Chi, together with related art of Qigong has not only restored my physical health, but also provided me with a set of tools to balance my emotional responses to a world which is feeling far from stable at the current moment.

I feel that training in Tai Chi and Qigong allows me to experience directly my inner connection to body mind and spirit. This is something i feel is essential for us all at this point of time.

Master Jamal is an exceptional teacher who i have no hesitation in recommending to anyone who is considering studying Tai Chi or Qigong for health or for martial arts.

His patient and practical guidance together with a boundless generosity to share his substantial knowledge with his students, has opened many new avenues for me to explore as i continue on my Tai Chi journey.

Thank you Sifu

John Ellis

I love everything about the Tai Chi and Qigong classes which are held in Bowdon. They are an extremely friendly group. The exercises are perfect for keeping one's body supple and the breathing is so important for well-being.

I feel physically healthier and mentally more relaxed after the class, especially after a hectic day.

Our teacher Master Chen Dejia Jamal is beyond brilliant.

Suzanne Ordman

As someone who has had a stroke, i would ask if Tai Chi is for me? The answer is a resounding yes.

I certainly have difficulty in doing some of the moves and i will never be as elegant or as graceful as some people but has it improved my balance - a work in progress i think. Has it improved my reduced number of falls - definitely yes. How do i feel after the class, if im honest, usually pleased with myself that i have managed most sequences with the occasional regret that some moves appear a little too challenging.

Tai Chi is certainly not as easy as it looks but is so rewarding and calming. Of course the teacher is really important and i could not wish for a better mentor than Master Chen Jamal Alek, or Sifu as we call him.

Every physiotherapist that i have had has said how pleased they are that i do Tai Chi as it is so beneficial for the mind and body. My only regret is, if so many professionals agree with the benefits of Tai Chi, why is it not recommended more by the NHS? It would definitely help those people who are not quite as able bodied or steady as others.

I love going to class as i also feel part of the community spreading the word about the benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong. Long may i continue to improve with the help and advice and understanding of my Sifu.

Janet Gregory

My Background: Male age 74. keep fit by running and light weights. I have meditated for years and practiced simple breathing exercises. Last September 2024 i was unexpectedly in hospital for over a week and had a pacemaker fitted as a slow heart rate, and later cardioversion to correct arrhythmia.

At that point, i was very much a beginner, since then, i have reached Foundation level, whilst in hospital, as i was mobile. I used my basic knowledge of Tai Chi and Qigong to aid my recovery.

My Class: I am in a class for the over 70`s encouraged by my wife. Sometimes i feel that i could progress faster, but quickly remember that its hard to learn to do the simplest things well.

The Exercises: I enjoy all the exercises. I enjoy beginning to learn the underlying ideas. Today i practised the 8 short form alone in front of Sifu. He was full of praise and followed it with guidance on the aspect which need improvement, and i was left with the feeling of achievement as well as aspects to work on and think about.

How do i feel after class: At home it gets me going in the morning. When i go out running, i always stop and practice beside the canal and in the park, which i find helps my breath control and makes me more aware of the need to focus my attention and clear my mind. After the Tai Chi class, my feelings are more complex. I try not to analyse anything for a day or so, allow the trivia to fall away and see what i am left with - the more i learn, the i appreciate how little i know. I don`t often feel necessarily more relaxed, more focused, or even that i have more energy, in fact, sometimes i feel quite tired, but perhaps more calm, Nevertheless, i have a sense of different aspects coming together. For example, today I learned something about the energy bubble i am moving in. Also that i now understand to keep my palms open and not too relaxed or not too tensed or stiff, which immediately felt like a positive move forward. So i suppose i sense my progress but still i am at an early stage of my practice.

Overall Health: I have some degree of osteoarthritis which affects my hands, spine and right leg where i have an old injury. My suppleness and flexibility has improved significantly, and i have leaned to move better during daily activity and during waking periods at night. I am also less prone to back problems.

My Emotional Health: This has always been a working progress! i have a tendency to overreact to certain situations. I hope that since going to Tai Chi and since practising Qigong that i am a calmer less anxious person- but judging yourself is always difficult. I think i let go of issues more easily than i did.

My Instructor: I trust him implicitly. He is an excellent teacher, always patient, always helpful, always friendly and encouraging, and with an excellent sense of humour. He is someone i want to follow and listen to carefully.

I want to be like him!

Peter Longlands