Testimonials
They say word of mouth is the best way to spread a message.
Following are a few examples of what students have to say about learning Tai Chi Chuan through John's unique teaching method, which focuses close attention on the classic principles of body alignment and movement, breathing and relaxation.
Following are a few examples of what students have to say about learning Tai Chi Chuan through John's unique teaching method, which focuses close attention on the classic principles of body alignment and movement, breathing and relaxation.
I was 20 when I became a student of John Hartley. Initially I studied Lama, then Wing Chun, two styles of martial arts. I was impressed with John’s knowledge of many styles of kung fu and his ability as a martial artist. After studying the ‘hard’ styles I began lessons in Taijiquan, a ‘soft’ style that benefits the body internally. John’s wholistic method of teaching is clear and forward thinking. He is an intelligent and gifted teacher. I am now 59 years young and continue my daily practice of Taijiquan it is beneficial to health in body and mind. As a result of an injury, I have an ongoing medical condition. Taijiquan is extremely helpful to my condition and the psychological management that accompanies it. The rapid pace of daily life is stressful to us all. I see Taijiquan as a way of managing daily stress. I see Taijiquan as the ideal way of maintaining good health and stress of modern life.
Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan
I study with John on a one-to-one basis, in part to accommodate physical limitations. John has proven to be a flexible instructor, able to adapt the practices to my capacity without in any way compromising tai chi principles. As a result, I am being introduced to a tradition of great depth that is repaying my investment many times over - increasing clarity, balance, stability and flexibility. That's the formal stuff...Less formally, I suspect John would warrant the word 'Master', although he would be loath to use the term. His practice journey, the lessons learned over a lifetime of inquiry-with-integrity, manifest as quiet wisdom, perceptive observation, and profound instruction.
As a professional adult educator with over 30 years’ experience, I am rarely satisfied in the adult learning environment, broadly defined. My work with John is the exception. I wish him well; and commend his depth of understanding to any would-be students. Just don't call him 'Master...'
Danny Slater
Senior lecturer, TAFE SA
As a professional adult educator with over 30 years’ experience, I am rarely satisfied in the adult learning environment, broadly defined. My work with John is the exception. I wish him well; and commend his depth of understanding to any would-be students. Just don't call him 'Master...'
Danny Slater
Senior lecturer, TAFE SA
I have attended a few of John's workshops. John is very approachable, and attentive to each student's need. During the class, John often walk around to student and provide one on one suggestion and correction to student form. I like this, as I feel students make most progress this way.
What I like most about John is when I have a question on the posture within the form. John can explain the body structure so well, then allow student to feel it in their body, plus John can verify it with the martial demonstration.
I found the teaching in the workshop exceptionally high in quality. The contents are well designed to give student a good understanding of the Tai Chi body; structure, form movements and their functions.
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I have gained a deeper appreciation of the health and martial benefits that Tai Chi, especially when it is practiced correctly.
Most of all, John has taught me to let go the idea of perfection in my Tai Chi practice, and to embrace the idea of refinement in my practice and Life.
David Huynh
What I like most about John is when I have a question on the posture within the form. John can explain the body structure so well, then allow student to feel it in their body, plus John can verify it with the martial demonstration.
I found the teaching in the workshop exceptionally high in quality. The contents are well designed to give student a good understanding of the Tai Chi body; structure, form movements and their functions.
.
I have gained a deeper appreciation of the health and martial benefits that Tai Chi, especially when it is practiced correctly.
Most of all, John has taught me to let go the idea of perfection in my Tai Chi practice, and to embrace the idea of refinement in my practice and Life.
David Huynh
Dear John, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the assistance and help you have afforded me over the past few years. Since signing up as a regular Taiji student with you, I have been amazed at the transformation, which, has occurred to my health, fitness and stress relief through Tai Chi Chuan.
John your deep understanding of this incredible Art, combined with your ability to impart that knowledge to others in a no fuss, clear manner, has made my own learning experience a very comfortable and enjoyable journey to the degree that I want to continue learning more.
I will be 69 years old in July this year and to suggest you can’t teach, “old dogs new tricks” flies in the face of the truth of Tai Chi Chuan. In my humble opinion this Art could and should be taught and practised from an early age to the grave.
In the early 1980s as a former construction worker, I suffered a debilitating back injury, which, continued to affect me into my later years. I could be laid up from 1–3 or even more days a couple of time every year, in bed, in pain. Since you introduce me to Tai Chi Chuan I now have a much better understanding of muscular/skeletal issues and techniques, which, relieve me of the pain and debilitation I have suffered for years.
I am not suggesting my back injury is cured, but I can certainly manoeuvre my body into manageable pain relief to the degree that I have not had one day in the past two years where I was so debilitated I could not function. I know this may sound like an advert but it is an honest appraisal of my experience with Tai Chi Chuan.
Keep up the good work John and thanks again.
Martin O’Malley
John your deep understanding of this incredible Art, combined with your ability to impart that knowledge to others in a no fuss, clear manner, has made my own learning experience a very comfortable and enjoyable journey to the degree that I want to continue learning more.
I will be 69 years old in July this year and to suggest you can’t teach, “old dogs new tricks” flies in the face of the truth of Tai Chi Chuan. In my humble opinion this Art could and should be taught and practised from an early age to the grave.
In the early 1980s as a former construction worker, I suffered a debilitating back injury, which, continued to affect me into my later years. I could be laid up from 1–3 or even more days a couple of time every year, in bed, in pain. Since you introduce me to Tai Chi Chuan I now have a much better understanding of muscular/skeletal issues and techniques, which, relieve me of the pain and debilitation I have suffered for years.
I am not suggesting my back injury is cured, but I can certainly manoeuvre my body into manageable pain relief to the degree that I have not had one day in the past two years where I was so debilitated I could not function. I know this may sound like an advert but it is an honest appraisal of my experience with Tai Chi Chuan.
Keep up the good work John and thanks again.
Martin O’Malley
I’ve been learning Tai Chi Chuan for almost five years now and with John for about the last two. In the time that I have known him, John has proven himself to be everything you could want in a teacher. He is kind and patient with a very deep knowledge and love of the Art. John’s teaching is very student-centred taking the time to get to know the needs of his students and tailoring the content to suit.
John has a very detailed curriculum, for which I’m very grateful. I’ve learnt about the martial aspects of Tai Chi Chuan but more importantly, I’ve developed skills to build more positive relationships, manage stress and generally live a better life.
John is a wonderful and humble teacher and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him and call him my friend.
Felicity Way
John has a very detailed curriculum, for which I’m very grateful. I’ve learnt about the martial aspects of Tai Chi Chuan but more importantly, I’ve developed skills to build more positive relationships, manage stress and generally live a better life.
John is a wonderful and humble teacher and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from him and call him my friend.
Felicity Way
My first encounter with Sifu John Hartley was in July 2015 at a Taiji workshop held at Li Chi Hsiang School of Tai Chi Chuan, Padstow Sydney. First impression was of a calm and quiet man, very keen to share his knowledge of Taijiquan but also eager to listen to what the workshop participants had to say. He encouraged questions as a means of gauging the participants’ understanding of the principles of Taijiquan as well as imparting his knowledge and information without judgement. He had a structured method of introducing what he felt were the important points to consider in practice.
I left that 2-day workshop with a new understanding of the taiji principles and a different way of practising that encouraged deeper body awareness and different movement patterns. Since that workshop, I have attended another 2-day workshop and 3-day training intensive in January 2016 and a 4-day training intensive in April 2016. Every workshop and training intensive has added to my knowledge and understanding of the principles as well enhanced my individual practice.
Sifu John Hartley is a very patient and perceptive teacher. He watches each students’ movements and listens to their questions before making suggestions on how to approach a certain movement or correcting a movement pattern. He is also very attentive to correcting body alignment through the use of sensory and proprioceptive feedback within the different parts of the body.
In my work as a physiotherapist with a background of oriental medicine and acupuncture training, I encounter people with all types of movement disorders as well as energetic imbalances. I teach taiji classes in Lismore and have found it to be not only an effective form of exercise but a journey into inner healing for anyone willing to persevere in practice. I certainly appreciate Sifu John’s ability and knowledge in Qigong and Taijiquan as an Art in healing and a martial art. He has opened more doors for me in deepening my own practice and teaching. I hope to continue with attending workshops and training intensives when possible and am very grateful to Sifu John for sharing his skills and knowledge so generously.
Patricia Tan
Physiotherapy and Acupuncture Services, Lismore
I left that 2-day workshop with a new understanding of the taiji principles and a different way of practising that encouraged deeper body awareness and different movement patterns. Since that workshop, I have attended another 2-day workshop and 3-day training intensive in January 2016 and a 4-day training intensive in April 2016. Every workshop and training intensive has added to my knowledge and understanding of the principles as well enhanced my individual practice.
Sifu John Hartley is a very patient and perceptive teacher. He watches each students’ movements and listens to their questions before making suggestions on how to approach a certain movement or correcting a movement pattern. He is also very attentive to correcting body alignment through the use of sensory and proprioceptive feedback within the different parts of the body.
In my work as a physiotherapist with a background of oriental medicine and acupuncture training, I encounter people with all types of movement disorders as well as energetic imbalances. I teach taiji classes in Lismore and have found it to be not only an effective form of exercise but a journey into inner healing for anyone willing to persevere in practice. I certainly appreciate Sifu John’s ability and knowledge in Qigong and Taijiquan as an Art in healing and a martial art. He has opened more doors for me in deepening my own practice and teaching. I hope to continue with attending workshops and training intensives when possible and am very grateful to Sifu John for sharing his skills and knowledge so generously.
Patricia Tan
Physiotherapy and Acupuncture Services, Lismore
John Hartley taught me everything I know in both the hard and soft styles of Martial Arts. In my experience of 30 years now, I rate John as a 10 in all styles. His teaching has had an incredible impact on my life. I still see myself as his student and now I am passing on my experience to friends and family. I can think of no one else who is his equal in skills, teaching approach and as a genuine and kind man. I am not too close to know this. John cares about his students, observes their progress - patiently, genuinely. Join Inner Health Taijiquan and learn from the best. I am not biased – before learning with John I had tried judo, boxing, karate and yoga. I found my way and I am grateful for the lessons over many years. This is the ‘real deal’. I wish you well and in time you will understand what is waiting for you at Inner Health Taijiquan.
Mark Ryan
Mark Ryan