Background
James Shang has more than 50 years of martial arts experience. His formal ranked background includes 4th Dan Taekwondo, black belts in Judo and Zen Do Kai, a Red Sash in Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and certification in Tony Blauer's Personal Defense Readiness (PDR) system.
His broader training has included Chen and Yang Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Kali, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing.
Why that changes the teaching
Training across different martial arts exposes the same fundamental problems from different angles: posture, balance, force, timing, weight transfer, distance, coordination and intent. Shang Tai Chi uses that broader understanding to explain the principle beneath a movement rather than asking students simply to copy it.
Not a traditional martial arts school
The core program is designed for adults who want to improve how they move, with a particular focus on healthy ageing and people 50+. It is not a fight-training program. Traditional knowledge is retained where it gives the movement meaning; unnecessary complexity is removed.
Martial arts writing: James was a regular contributor to Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine before the publication ceased.