Registered member of
Martial Arts & Fitness Coach UK


BRIEF OVERVIEW and HISTORY of TTT
(see also Tao: dictionary)

Officially founded in UK 1975 by Shi-jo Mike Symonds.

After 14-15 years of intense study, syllabus development and practical trial of traditional techniques, philosophy and Oriental practises the syllabus was accepted by China as "Traditional and genuine Kung-fu" in 1987 (ICKF, R.o.China). Shih-fu Mike Symonds was the first  UK (possibly European) Caucasian to achieve that unimaginably difficult and demanding task and receive the great honour of being accepted by what is the largest Chinese Arts organisation in the world. This also proves that you do not have to be Chinese to succeed in the great Chinese Arts. Even to this day the improvements and testing continue and our 2001 revised syllabus offers probably "the most practical, comprehensive and dynamic 'beginner-to-black belt' range ever."

Training advancement does not stop at "Black Belt", or Sash in our case , but progresses steadily through Instructor Training to higher level Arts.

T'IEN TI TAO CH'UAN-SHU has been proven in self-defence as a system with 'control' built in. It is not necessary for a skilful person to cause "excess" damage to the attacker - positive results are required though, preferably within the confines of the law.

Exercise wise, T'IEN TI TAO's syllabus and range is second to none. Exercises cover everything from external to internal, thus a powerful and well proportioned physique may be gained which can withstand scathing blows or accidents. The 'Sets' and 'Forms' show refined power - something you do not normally see in other Martial Arts Schools - and develop very wide-ranging techniques, a whole spectrum of self-defence.

T'IEN TI TAO has been favourably featured in COMBAT, FIGHTERS, FIGHTING ARTS INTERNATIONAL, FIGHTING FOCUS and INSIDE KUNG-FU (USA). Mike has been asked to write for MARTIAL ARTS ILLUSTRATED, (Terry O'Neill's) Fighting Arts International and others. Articles in Combat (c. 1998-2000) have attracted a lot of response, especially the 'Tao of Food' - Parts 1 and 2 (May and November 1997).

Mike Symonds has been registered in R.o.China (Taiwan) and P.R.o.China (Peking), England (BKPA & AMA) and was appointed East Anglian representative for Kuoshu (Kung-fu) with both associations and recently appointed President of British Association for Chinese Arts (a new association under the British National Martial Arts and Combat Sports World-wide specifically to help and promote the Chinese Arts in a non-profit making way.

Shih-fu Mike developed his fighting skills when young, doing some sort of (Kungfu) "shadow boxing" around the house from around five years old! At school he was sorting out the school bullies with a snake style grappling and evasive defence which came naturally to him (there were no TV, videos, books or anything on Oriental Arts available in those days).

He began training seriously in the mid-sixties. He studied as many forms of Eastern Arts as were possible including Indian Yoga, Kempo and Meditations skills. In 1974 he received the great and rare honour of being personally invited by Grandmaster Chee Soo to join Teacher's Training classes in T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan), Ch'i Kung (Qigong), Taoist Yoga (Kai Men), Defence, Diet & Taoist Healing Arts. He attained teaching grades in these Arts and ran the first authentic Chinese Arts club in this region. Grandmaster Chee Soo came to Norfolk especially to open a club in Gt Yarmouth c.1977 for Mike Symonds to run, a great honour!

Classes are kept small and non-commercial so that all may have equal opportunity to learn at close quarter. The style is deceptively simple to watch, yet devastatingly effective. It has been developed in a way which follows Nature closely and does not include nor infringe on any religious notions or ideals. A minimum time of three-and-a-half years has been allotted on the syllabus as a time 'between grades' that a dedicated student could achieve 'Black Sash' coaching level (six to eight is more realistic).

*Guoshu (Kuoshu) is a collection of activities, including the better known Taijiquan. Martial arts are recognized as a competition event in the Asian Games. Reflective of Taiwan's commitment to Guoshu, the Chinese Taipei Kuoshu (Guoshu) Federation receives funding directly from the NCPFS, and Taiwan is the headquarters of the International Chinese Kuoshu Federation.

Personal Training may be available as well as regular classes in Norfolk, England.
TRAINING Enquiries by e-mail welcomed.