About

Paul has been a practitioner and teacher of Martial Arts for over 22 years. He has been a 12th Generation lineage holder, and disciple of Chen Style Tai Chi Quan, under the teachings and guidance of Grandmaster Gou Kongjie since 2010. Beginning his journey at the age of 25, he trained in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Shaolin Gong Fu, Qi Gong, Bagua Zhang and now specialises in Chen Style Tai Chi Quan. Interested in all aspects from self defence to the spiritual, Paul continues to further his knowledge for his own development and that of his students.

He has taught and demonstrated on cruise ships, at private and corporate events, workshops, seminars & classes nationwide, and has his own school here in Bournemouth. He has worked with various groups on a regular basis from learning disabilities, ASD, through to Parkinson’s Disease and has even worked with performers in training, bringing together his knowledge of martial arts, movement and acting.

Paul has won numerous accolades over many competitions, as well as judged Tai Chi, Kung Fu and San Shou events over many years. He has also coached a number of our students to Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in Tai Chi hand and weapon forms at various competitions.

Paul has been a practitioner and teacher of Martial Arts for over 22 years. He has been a 12th Generation lineage holder, and disciple of Chen Style Tai Chi Quan, under the teachings and guidance of Grandmaster Gou Kongjie since 2010. Beginning his journey at the age of 25, he trained in Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Shaolin Gong Fu, Qi Gong, Bagua Zhang and now specialises in Chen Style Tai Chi Quan. Interested in all aspects from self defence to the spiritual, Paul continues to further his knowledge for his own development and that of his students.

He has taught and demonstrated on cruise ships, at private and corporate events, workshops, seminars & classes nationwide, and has his own school here in Bournemouth. He has worked with various groups on a regular basis from learning disabilities, ASD, through to Parkinson’s Disease and has even worked with performers in training, bringing together his knowledge of martial arts, movement and acting.

Paul has won numerous accolades over many competitions, as well as judged Tai Chi, Kung Fu and San Shou events over many years. He has also coached a number of our students to Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in Tai Chi hand and weapon forms at various competitions.

Biography COMING SOON

Linda’s first martial arts teacher was Dave Friskney (who began learning martial arts in 1975 in Wado Ryu Karate and then later Jujitsu, Hung Gar Kung Fu and Wing Chung.) She started training in Bournemouth with Dave in 1995 and at that time he had discovered Yang Style Tai Chi with Xuelong Li in Southampton. Dave started incorporating elements of Tai Chi into her Wing Chung training and later taught Linda the Yang Style long form. She also attended classes in Southampton with Xuelong.

During this time, because she wanted to increase and broaden her knowledge of martial arts, she started Kung Fu and some Tai Chi with other notable schools. When Dave stopped teaching in Bournemouth, she carried on training in Wing Chun with two of his senior students, Brendan Burnett and later Mark Ditcher, both of whom had learned Chen Tai Chi Quan in China with Master Liu Yong. Linda began learning Chen Tai Chi Quan with them as well as attending workshops and private sessions with Master Liu Yong on a number of his visits to the UK.

In about 2010 Linda decided she wanted to focus purely on Chen Style Tai Chi Quan and so found Shifu Paul Lockyer and Natural Elements. In 2017 Linda commited to becoming a private student of Shifu Paul and began teaching soon after.

She is a valued member of Natural Elements not only in her teaching but also in her support of the other students and their growth. Always having time to listen and offer words of encouragement.

Linda’s first martial arts teacher was Dave Friskney (who began learning martial arts in 1975 in Wado Ryu Karate and then later Jujitsu, Hung Gar Kung Fu and Wing Chung.) She started training in Bournemouth with Dave in 1995 and at that time he had discovered Yang Style Tai Chi with Xuelong Li in Southampton. Dave started incorporating elements of Tai Chi into her Wing Chung training and later taught Linda the Yang Style long form. She also attended classes in Southampton with Xuelong.

During this time, because she wanted to increase and broaden her knowledge of martial arts, she started Kung Fu and some Tai Chi with other notable schools. When Dave stopped teaching in Bournemouth, she carried on training in Wing Chun with two of his senior students, Brendan Burnett and later Mark Ditcher, both of whom had learned Chen Tai Chi Quan in China with Master Liu Yong. Linda began learning Chen Tai Chi Quan with them as well as attending workshops and private sessions with Master Liu Yong on a number of his visits to the UK.

In about 2010 Linda decided she wanted to focus purely on Chen Style Tai Chi Quan and so found Shifu Paul Lockyer and Natural Elements. In 2017 Linda commited to becoming a private student of Shifu Paul and began teaching soon after.

She is a valued member of Natural Elements not only in her teaching but also in her support of the other students and their growth. Always having time to listen and offer words of encouragement.

Grandmaster Kongjie Gou, born in 1947, He Nan province, China, started practicing Chinese Martial Arts in 1960. Five years later, in 1965, he began learning Chen Style Tai Chi as the last indoor senior student of Grandmaster Chen Zhaokui (the Head and Heir of the 18th generation of the Chen Family) making him an 11th generation lineage holder of the style and one of Grandmaster Chen Zhaokui’s best students. Master Gou practised and taught Chen style Tai Chi for over 55 years worldwide. Residing in Oxford, England, he continued to promote Chinese culture and Tai Chi philosophy in the hope of extending these ideals and skills to a new generation.
At the International Festival of Tai Chi in China in 2002 Grandmaster Kongjie Gou was awarded the Certificate of Excellence; this award is very rarely given and is reserved for Tai Chi masters of exceptional skill and ability. He was also certified as a senior Chen Style Tai Chi coach by the Chen Style Tai Chi Association in Wen county, the birthplace and home of Tai Chi, and held a first class degree of Tai Chi master from the Henan Provincial Martial Arts Association. He was co-author of the Tai Chi Push Hands standard and competition rules published by the Chinese State Sports Council and in the early 2000’s created the Chen Style Tai Chi Fan Form and the Chen Style Short Stick Form. Within the Chinese Tai Chi community Grandmaster Kongjie Gou was the most senior and highly respected teacher of Tai Chi in the UK.

It was said – “If you want to watch Chen Style Tai Chi performance, see Chen Zheng Lei. If you want to know who is the best practitioner see Chen Xiao Wang. If you want to learn Chen Style Tai Chi follow Gou Kongjie.”

Sadly in early 2023 Grandmaster Gou passed away at the age of 75. His knowledge and passion passed down to students through his wife and disciples.