It is with great sadness that we have to report that Dan Docherty passed away on 9th December 2021. His memory lives on through this website, his articles, videos, podcasts and in the hearts, minds and teaching of his many students and friends throughout the world.

If you are looking for a teacher in this style, then please visit “Where to Learn” “Instructor Listings” page as although this is not being kept up to date it will provide contact details for a number of his main students.

The PTCCI practitioners Facebook page is useful should you have questions.

KAJ WESTERSUND

Kaj Westersund

1 . How (and when) did you start?
I started in November 1989 on a seminar in Turku, Finland arranged by Ilpo Jalamo, a famous martial arts teacher in Finland. I had done some Yang style under his guidance before.

2. Why Practical Tai Chi Chuan?
I have been practicing many other martial arts and was interested also in the martial side of tai chi, including weapon techniques.

3. What is your favourite technique - and why? (in 50 words)
I can´t think of any special technique that would be a favorite, rather it is the concepts that are trained in pushing hands, sensitivity, listening, adhering, following. These concepts are important in all martial arts.

4 .One piece of advice or knowledge you would like to give to fellow practitioners:
Especially to beginners I would like to say: Don´t give up so easy! Too many quit in the beginning because they find it difficult. Give yourself time to learn.   To more advanced practitioners I would say: Remember that even a master is a student for the rest of his life.

5. How do you train now?
Now as a retired martial arts instructor I still train almost every day, doing forms, also weapons and nei kung at least three times a week. I am still teaching two tai chi classes weekly. Due to an old leg injury I spend less time on free style pushing hands and more rigorous applications than before. I do more form practice as I have discovered that it is very helpful in rehabilitating my leg.

Bios

I started with Wado-ryu karate and jujutsu in 1978. Two years later I started escrima under London based Jay Dobrin.

I became a professional martial arts instructor in 1995, teaching mainly jujutsu and escrima and also some Practical tai chi.

1997 I started doing Pekiti-Tirsia (Philippine martial art) under Tuhon William McGrath from New York.

I have also studied Okinawan classical weapons under Ilpo Jalamo in Finland and Katori Shinto ryu swordsmanship under Tetsutaka Sugawara.

For shorter periods I have also studied Japanese and Western archery, pentjak-silat, tae kwon do and ninjutsu.

I also do different forms of firearm training. I have specialized in the use and defense of edged weapons. I have

instructed special groups in the Finnish police force, customs, prison guards and certain groups in the Finnish defense forces.

I have also taught police in Germany, Belgium and Estonia.

I have been teaching edged weapon and stick techniques also at international tai chi camps in Hungary and Scotland.