IMA in Cambridge

I'm looking to start to learn an internal martial art, not picky which, but rather looking for a good teacher.
Can anybody recommend anyone up in Cambridge?

 

I've seen the odd person practising Tai Chi in a park near me but don't know anything about local classes or teachers... The uni is bound to have a group who practise tho so if you are around a while check out the CUSU site or go to the Societies Fair first week of October at KK (usually)

 

I should have perhaps mentioned that I have no affiliation to the university, so can't do that.

 

I recall that Alex Kozma was around there and teaching a bit.

Here's what my google Fu turned up http://www.taichifinder.co.uk/classes/407-suffolk-taiji-bagua-xingyi-school#tabs-2

Bury St Edmonds nearby to Cambs. If you're lucky he'll still be around and teaching, I would highly recommend Alex as a great source of IMA in the UK, he's top draw.

 

Chances are that whoever teaches at the uni will teach elsewhere too.

It's also quite common for university martial arts clubs to have some external members too.

Worth a try!

 

Look here for classes in Cambridgeshire, links to the Uni club in Cambridge are listed.

http://www.taichifinder.co.uk/classes/91-cambridgeshire

 

Rob Poyton teaches in that area.He is tai chi guy who changed to Systema.I did a bit of training with him several years ago and would rate him as one of the best teachers I have trained with.

 

Can I ask your definition of internal martial arts?

There is probably alot of choices in somewhere like cambridge. What exactly are you seeking?



To the wider group: do all arts become internal at the higher levels?

 

1)Define what you feel "internal" means.

2)Sit back and see all the different opinions :argue: of what "internal" :meditate: means.

3)Then take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

Seriously tho', the question is near impossible to answer as there is no set agreement on what the term means.

 

Alex K is here in Cambridge and teaching on a Saturday morning at the moment. Rob Poynton is based in Bedford - there was a once a month class in Cambridge but I don't know if that is still running.

Cheers

Rob

 

I thought there was a once a month class in Systema, first Wednesday of the month at Arbury Community Centre. Though with anything on the interweb it could be wildly out of date

 

Indeed. http://www.cuttingedgeshop.com/training.htm suggests you are right though. Also has Rob Poyntons contact details for anyone who is interested.

Cheers

Rob (not that Rob)

 

Yepm thanks Rob, the next session is on Weds 5th Dec, details are at the link above

I think someone already mentioned Alex Kozma who's based in Cambridge

 

I guess whether Systema is "internal" or not is open to debate, it is certainly a "soft" style with emphasis on posture and breathing and a significant amount of health work. After studying Chinese internal arts for 20 odd years I found many similarities - as well as some big differences too

The OP also said he wasn't picky about style but was looking for a good class. Of course I'll recommend my own , lol, though I'm not the only one to do so, but it is why I also mentioned Alex. There's not a lot else in Cambridge in my experience

 

A lot depends on why the original poster wanted to learn internal arts.I practice Taiji,Xingyi and Bagua and if someone phones me up and says their main interest is self defence I refer them to the local Systema guys.Systema will allow you to gain very similar skills to those gained from practicing internal arts in a fraction of the time.The main difference I see in these arts is that Systema uses natural everyday movement as its base whereas the internal arts use very sophiscated trained movement that takes a long while to learn.I find the internal arts fascinating but I am sure there are far easier ways of learning how to survive a violent confrontation.

 

Apologies if I've violated TOS. I'm not associated with RobPs school so didn't think it would be an issue.

With respect to the IA/Systema question it seems to be very much in the eye of the beholder. A fair few folk over at rumsoakedfist.org who have a lot of IMA experience seem to think that Systema is of interest. For various reasons I train with Alex Kozma but happily recommend RobP in the same discussion if people are looking for training locally. There is also a small silat group I've come across but they're clazy!:wow:

Cheers

Rob