News and Events
Don't miss out on the latest that's going on
The Master Ding Academy hosts workshops and courses both local and across Europe, as well as Master Classes with Master Ding.
Plan your year ahead with Tai Chi check out the latest below.
News from our local and MDA HQ
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MDA Newbury Tai Chi
(opens in a new tab)Teaching Traditional Tai Chi that promotes health, fitness and self defence through the tai chi prin
Winter Newsletter - Dates for your diary and tai chi tips for the Winter. Wishing all of our students, Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year. MDA Newbury Tai Chi. mailchi.mp/97b365b58cd8/mda-newbury-tai-chi-winter-newsletter-happy-new-year
Happy Easter from MDA Newbury Tai Chi to all our students and Check out our Easter newsletter. Containing important dates for your diary and tips and hints to better your tai chi practice. - mailchi.mp/7a07c66eff72/mda-newbury-tai-chi-easter-newsletter
Our Introduction to Tai Chi 6 week course on 10 March at the Thatcham Parish Hall is now full. For details of our next intro course, please get in touch.
Foundation Form accelerator Workshop on Sunday 2nd March 9.30AM - 3.50PM - If you have done the 6 week course or are working on the foundation form then why not consolidate knowledge in a one day intensive workshop. Become more familiar with the form and start to unlock the benefits of tai chi. If you are interested then contact me at william@masterdingacademy.com mailchi.mp/8abefa87e331/mda-newbury-tai-chi-foundation-form-accelerator-workshop
Hello all. Happy New Year ! Our 6 week introduction to tai chi course on Mon 20 Jan at the Thatcham Parish Hall has been very popular. This course is now full. The next 6 week introduction course will be on Mon 10th March. Book your space for the next course. Contact tanya@attwood.org
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Traditional Tai Chi Chuan
(opens in a new tab)Master Ding Academy focuses on preserving the practice of all aspects of Traditional Tai Chi Chuan. Master Ding's approach is characterised by a strong empahsis on building health wellbeing, fitness, power and understanding of internal energy, CHI (Qi).
www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/24/largest-review-of-its-kind-confirms-benefits-of-tai-chi-a...
Largest review of its kind confirms benefits of tai chi and other Chinese exercises
www.theguardian.com
Analysis finds ‘high certainty evidence’ of their effectiveness for the 1.7bn people worldwide with musculoskeletal conditions
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Master Ding Academy Open October Residential Retreat 2026Dates: Saturday 24 October – Saturday 31 October 2026Venue: St George's School, Sun Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4TDThe Master Ding Academy Open October Residential Retreat 2026 offers a unique opportunity to step away from the pressures of everyday life and enjoy a week dedicated to relaxation, personal development, and traditional Tai Chi Chuan training.Set within the attractive campus of St George's School in Harpenden, the retreat provides an ideal environment for focused learning, with excellent training facilities, comfortable accommodation, and convenient transport links from London, Luton Airport, and the motorway network.Open to participants of all levels—from complete beginners to advanced practitioners—as well as martial artists from other disciplines, the retreat offers rare access to instruction from Master Ding, a 6th Generation Yang Style lineage holder. Through intensive training and expert guidance, participants can deepen their understanding of traditional Tai Chi Chuan and refine their skills in this ancient Chinese art.Alongside daily training, attendees will have time to relax, recharge, and restore balance between mind, body, and spirit. The retreat also provides a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for shared learning, friendship, and personal growth.Whether you are new to Tai Chi or an experienced practitioner seeking to advance your practice, this residential retreat promises an enriching and memorable experience. Family members, friends, and anyone with an interest in Tai Chi Chuan or martial arts are warmly invited to attend.Book early to get Early Bird Discounted course fee!Don’t wait, book now.For more information, contact us: info@masterdingacademy.com
Master Ding Academy Residential Retreat23rd–30th May 2026Venue: St George's School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United KingdomA Week of Deep Learning, Practice and TransformationMaster Ding Academy recently concluded a highly successful one-week Residential Retreat, bringing together MDA Instructors and Advanced Level One members from across Europe for an intensive and rewarding period of study, training, and ongoing personal development.Throughout the week, participants immersed themselves in the practice of the Academy's three Chi Kung sets, deepening both their understanding and execution of these foundational exercises. Daily training sessions provided valuable opportunities to enhance internal awareness, cultivate energy more effectively, and strengthen the connection between mind, body, and breath.A major focus of the retreat was detailed form correction. Under the close guidance of Master Ding, Master Alan Ding, and Senior Instructor Mahadeo, students worked diligently to refine posture, alignment, movement quality, and structural integrity within their Tai Chi practice. These corrections enabled participants to gain a clearer understanding of the principles that underpin authentic and effective Tai Chi training.Push Hands training formed another important component of the programme – Applied Chi. Through partner exercises and practical applications, attendees explored sensitivity, balance, timing, and the dynamic expression of Tai Chi principles. These sessions encouraged greater awareness of connection, listening energy, and the ability to remain relaxed and centred under pressure.Central to the retreat was the exploration of the Tai Chi principle of Song—the art of deep relaxation without collapse. Through lectures, demonstrations, guided practice, and individual correction, participants developed a deeper appreciation of how Song enhances stability, fluidity, sensitivity, and internal power. Many students experienced significant breakthroughs in their understanding of this essential principle and its application within both Chi Kung and Tai Chi practice.Beyond the training hall, the retreat fostered a strong sense of community, friendship, and shared purpose. The supportive environment enabled students and instructors alike to exchange knowledge, inspire one another, and further strengthen the bonds within the Master Ding Academy family.The retreat proved to be an enriching and rewarding experience for all involved, leaving participants with renewed motivation, deeper understanding, and practical tools to continue their personal development and training journey.Master Ding Academy looks forward to building on the success of this event and welcoming members to future residential retreats and training programmes.Join Our October Open Retreat 2026For practitioners wishing to experience the unique training environment of a Master Ding Academy residential retreat, places are now available on our October Open Retreat 2026.This retreat is suitable for:- Complete beginners with no previous experience- Practitioners of any Tai Chi Chuan style- Martial artists from other internal or external disciplinesEveryone is warmly welcome.For further information and booking enquiries, please contact:Email: info@masterdingacademy.com
UpcomingMaster Ding Academy Tai Chi for Health CourseDate: Friday, 15th - Sun, 17th May 2026Time: 10:00 - 16:00 ( lunch break 12:30 - 13:30)Venue:Master Ding Academy HQ,Limehouse, London E14 7JUDiscover a gentle yet powerful way to improve your health and wellbeing.Developed from the renowned John Ding Foundation Tai Chi Form, this program has been specially designed by Master Ding, drawing on decades of research and over 40 years of experience in martial arts and Tai Chi Chuan teaching. The result is a safe, effective practice that supports balance, relaxation, and overall vitality.Whether you’re completely new to Tai Chi or looking to deepen your practice, this course welcomes participants of all levels. You’ll gain valuable insight into the principles of traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, while improving your understanding, coordination, and inner calm.Who can join?Anyone interested is welcome - from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. Take this opportunity - to reconnect with your body- calm your mind and - experience the lasting benefits of traditional Tai Chi ChuanDon’t miss this chance!For more details, contact us:info@masterdingacademy.com#Tai Chi Course#Tai Chi Training#Tai Chi London#Tai Chi Health#Mind Body Spirit#
Year Planner
JAN 2026
- MDA Newbury Membership
FEB 2026
- Mon 23rd Feb - New 6 week intro Beginners course Thacham Parish Hall.
- Fri 20th February - New 6 Introduction to tai chi course. Please click contact for enquiry.
MAR 2026
- Sat 14/03/2026 09:30 - 15:50
(Woolhampton Village Hall) - MDA Newbury Workshop - Tai Chi Fundamentals - Chi Kung - Centralising and Cultivating your energy - Open to all levels - No Class on Friday 27th March
- No Class on Tuesday 31st March
APR 2026
- No Class on Fri 3rd April.
- New 6 week Introduction to Tai Class on Tuesday 14th April - Please click contact me for enquiries.
- New 6 week Introduction to Tai Class on Friday 17th April - Please click contact me for enquiries.
MAY 2026
- Sat 09 May 09:30 - 15:50 - Woolhampton Village Hall - MDA Newbury Workshop - Tai Chi Accelerator - Foundation Form. Open to all Levels
- This workshop’s focus is on advancing our beginners. if you have completed your 6 week introduction to tai chi course and want to accelerate your learning, or are struggling with a section and want to breakthrough then this workshop is for you. The foundation form contains all of the concepts of tai chi in a shortened form that can be practiced regularly and apply all the concepts.
Fri 15th – Sun 17th May - @LimehouseHQ MDA HQ - Traditional Tai Chi Health
- Highly recommended for MDA Newbury students as a chance to train under Grandmaster John Ding.
This special course will focus on a deeper understanding in the following aspects of Traditional Tai Chi Chuan :
- John Ding Yeung San Hey Kung Set 1
- Daoist Exercises
- John Ding Form (MDA Foundation
Form)
- Settling Exercises
Level: Open to all
- An opportunity for practitioners to gain better understanding of these 4
fundamental aspects of Traditional Tai Chi Chuan and hoping to teach Tai Chi for health if they meet the required MDA standard.
- An excellent refresher course for MDA instructors or Advanced level one members
This course is only held once a year, book your course early
Contact: MDA HQ
e: info@masterdingacademy.com
- Sat 23 - 30 May - Annual Instructors Retreat (UK)
- Tue 26 May - No Class
- Fri 29 May - No Class
JUN 2026
- Fri 5 June - No class due to Hall Availability
- Sat 27 Jun 09:30- 15:50 Woolhampton Village Hall - MDA Newbury Workshop: Tai chi for Health and balance.
Tai Chi has many health benefits. This workshop looks at the key the Chi Kung (standing meditation, the warm up exercises in more detail. The warm up exercises provide a useful way to test your tai chi. The tai chi principles are applied to the exercises which can be partner tested to check your understanding. This can help you accelerate your tai chi learning.
JUL 2026
- Mon 6th – Thu 9th July - Hamburg - MDA HQ Special Masterclass: Cheung Kuen Se Ying (Long Fist Snake Form)
- Tue 7 July - NO Tue Class
AUG 2026
- 11 Aug - No Tue Class due to Church event
SEP 2026
- 25 Sep - No Fri class (on Training)
OCT 2026
- Sat 24 - 31st October- MDA HQ - OPEN Tai Chi Residential retreat with Grandmaster John Ding - Open to all levels. Please contact me for enquiries.
- Provisional - School Break -
- Tue 20 Oct - No class
- Fri 23 Oct - No Class
- Tue 27 Oct - No Class
- Fri 30 Oct - No Class
NOV 2026
6 Nov - No Fri Class - (TC Training)
DEC 2026
- MDA HQ - 4th - 6th December Instructor Weekend and Annual Dinner
- Tue 15 & Fri 18 Dec - Las Classes close for Christmas break. .
JAN 2027
- Classes Resume - Tue 5 Jan & Fri 8 Jan 2026.