Bonsai Tai Chi is a member of The John Ding International Academy of Tai Chi Chuan. Established by John Ding, 6th Generation Yang master in 1996 The Academy has member clubs throughout the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and the Channel Islands  

John Roper a qualified JDIATCC instructor, is a student of Master John Ding and also assists in teaching at the John Ding Academy.
 He has practised tai chi for eight years and continues his personal development in the art through attending regular classes, retreats and workshops*.

Although John has only been practising tai chi for a few years his tai chi journey actually began in 1978 when he saw a karate instructor demonstrate the use of 'Ki' (chi). Curious, he became aware of tai chi but found no opportunity to practise it. For the next 25 years John studied Zen, Yoga and practised meditation. The opportunity to practise tai chi happened after John Ding opened The British Tai Chi Chuan centre in Woodford, a couple of miles from where John lives."It was absolutely what I wanted to do," he says. "The author Lawrence Le'Shan once wrote that meditation feels like coming home. For me tai chi was like being sat in the biggest armchair with a glass of my favourite burgundy. They say that when the student is ready the master appears. All I can say is I was ready for tai chi by the time I met Master Ding.

*All JDIATCC instructors are required to undertake continual personal development to maintain their status