Reviews of Newcastle Martial Arts

I have been training kung fu at Newcastle Martial Arts for some years now. I still remember finding the class website online and reading through all of the pages thinking 'wow, this is different'. I turned up at class the next week and was made to feel welcome. The class is friendly, fun and invigorating. Master Waller keeps the class entertaining whilst also teaching an effective Martial Art. People who join have an opportunity to build confidence, enhance balance and overall learn how to defend themselves.

A fantastic place to learn Martial Arts. The class is brilliantly taught with a clear syllabus which you work through at your own pace. It's very friendly and well run, the teaching is in-depth, thorough and clearly explained. A safe place to learn. Recommend very highly.

Before I came to Master Waller three years ago I had spent six years at four different classes trying to learn tai chi chuan. None of them had a syllabus of any kind. Most were offering tuition of the simplified 24 step Yang style tai chi, with no self defence and no regard for the health of knees or back. The classes were for one hour only and cost about the same as ours. (John Bell)

I really enjoyed Girl's Night, it was a real eye opener - just seeing those techniques which don't involve much physical strength but are so effective was really empowering. I think you're right, learning how to do it almost 'instinctively' is the aim. A great class; the first time I've actually thought self defence was realistic and possible. (Karen Laws)

When I first came to a Newcastle Martial Arts training session it was clear that what was on offer was the real thing. A well structured syllabus, with many layers of learning and experience to work through with an exceptionally well qualified instructor and a welcoming group of students. As an older student (49) I was not sure if I would 'keep up' with the others, I shouldn't have worried, I have been able to progress at a pace that suits me, and enjoy learning new skills every week. Have no doubt, this is an extremely powerful style of Martial Art, and it will suit women and men of all ages.

The school has a friendly approach to the art and let’s people take things as slow or as fast as they would like. Whether that is for health reasons or to learn tai chi chuan. Master Waller’s skills are immense and it is a privilege to be taught at such a high level. (Brian)

Learning with your school has become a major aspect of my life. The tai chi chuan I have learned with you is of a quality I have never encountered before. I do not mean this as false flattery, it is simply fact that in 3 years of studying tai chi chuan in the South East and West of England I effectively learned nothing compared with what I have learned with your school in less than a year. I have seen a positive development in both my skill and my character, the latter being, I have found, just as important as the former. (Rob Veater)

I've done some martial arts before including tai chi but Master Waller's syllabus is so beyond anything I've seen it's ridiculous! Practically all my previous training has not helped me at all and I'm just grateful I found Master Waller when I did. Having trained (on and off) for over 14 years in kung fu I know that Master Waller is one of a kind in his commitment to his students, and really respect his approach. What I really like about the class is its friendly atmosphere with excellent teaching and a clear syllabus that means everyone makes progress. It’s challenging but accessible. Everything is explained to the level you want and obviously Master Waller really demonstrates what is possible in the art. As a school teacher I am continually impressed with Master Waller's teaching system, resources and the time he takes with classes. I often feel like emailing him to thank him for another outstanding lesson but a) this could happen most weeks and b) I do actually feel guilty for not being a good enough student. What I find most amazing about the syllabus is how everything is interlocking and interconnected. (Tim Middleton, maths teacher)

For those of us who’ve been involved in martial arts for some time, and have some experience of Chinese arts and teachers, I feel we can be confident that with Master Waller we have stumbled upon a treasure trove of authentic Chinese martial arts. It’s tremendously exciting as the lineage and history is abundantly clear in his approach. It struck me, the first time I saw Master Waller demonstrate it, that 5000 years of Chinese culture and history is somehow woven into the lethal beauty of baguazhang. (Graham)