Alan Mooney started his Chinese martial arts training in Ireland 1993 learning with Nick Gudge of the West Coast Internal Arts Association. He soon realised that Taiji was a healthy obsession, and rapidly dropped his other obsessions to have more time to practise.

For the first five years of training Alan concentrated on the Yang style of Taiji, shifting the to the Hunyuan variation of the Chen style as taught by Feng Zhiquiang and Zhang Xuexin. It was during this time in Ireland Alan made his first acquaintance with Bagua with Aarvo Tucker a skilled student of Luo Dexiu. On moving to France at the beginning of the millennium he continued his Bagua practise with Edward Hines in Paris, also taking part in Luo’s seminars in St Brieuc, Rennes and London.

Since 2003 the school and training shifted to the remarkably clear Chen style teaching of Wang Haijun. The attention to detail that leads to rapid progress and results is reflected in Alan’s classes today, where he lightens hard work with enthusiasm and humour.