I have been informed that my Master Dan Docherty has sadly passed away. It is a great shock to myself and to the Taiji community in the UK.

Like all journeys, be they long or short, they all start with you. Sounds simple doesn't it? It is, but there's more to that.

Etiquettes have long been an integral part of Chinese culture. The Chinese civilisation was built on manners and orderly behaviour.

Anybody who has been in the martial arts community for a while will know of the toxic culture that exists.

The word dōjō is often mentioned a lot in martial arts circles, but what does it actually mean?

Apologies as I have been away for a bit. I have been on a staycation in the Lake District.

When you join a traditional martial arts school. It's not about paying to learn, it's about being part of something.

The answer isn't so simple and there are a number of factors to consider.

There's a Chinese saying that we use in martial arts - "練拳不練功 到老一場空" liàn quán bù liàn gōng, dào lăo yī cháng kōng.

Well the dreaded coronavirus is now firmly with us. For over the past few months, the focus has been in China.