I have shared cha (Chinese tea) with Derek Fowler for over a decade now. Through his extensive travels across the region, he has developed an expert level understanding of the oolong, pu-erh, green, white, and red teas of China and Southeast Asia. It is always a pleasure to share a pot of Anxi Tieguanyin or perhaps a cave-aged, Yunan Pu-erh with Derek; his vivid stories and lucid explanations are a rare yet accessible view into the local teahouse culture of a rustic vendor in a small, high mountain Chinese village. For the interested student, I would also recommend Derek's Qigong and Wing Chun classes/seminars.

I studied Wing Chun with Derek Fowler for about 6 months. Derek is certified to teach by the Tse Qigong Centre run by Sigong Michael Tse. Derek's method is thorough and intense; martial training in the various Wing Chun forms as well as Chi Sau are taught and polished in an open, friendly, and personable environment. I would also wholeheartedly recommend Derek's other classes/workshops in Qigong, landscaping/native plants, and Chinese Tea to current, interested, and prospective students.

I studied Wild Goose Qigong with Derek Fowler for several years. He is a very thorough teacher who takes time to build a strong, personal relationship with each of his students. Although there is an overall lesson plan, the curriculum is customized for each student, so they can learn at a pace that is comfortable for them. Also, many of the exercises can be performed in a way that makes it easy for students just starting out, who arent in perfect shape yet, or perhaps have a specific health condition or concern. As your understanding and skill level improves, he introduces more advanced concepts and movements. This approach of keeping the energy clear from the beginning is quite helpful, and is why you are likely to see a wide range of ages, skills, and physical conditions in his classes.

Before I joined Derek's classes, I did some research on his affiliations. Derek studies and is certified to teach under Sigong Michael Tse of the Tse Qigong Centre. There are alot of qigong instructors out there, but please take the time to verify their backgrounds before choosing one. Also, although you could try to learn from a book or DVD, I personally believe that for the best results, its important to develop a long term relationship with a qualified instructor. Derek closely observes his students' progression, ensuring that their movements provide maximum effectiveness while also reducing any potential for injury.

I appreciate the fact that Derek's approach focuses on more than just the movement. The concepts taught involve a powerful combination of mental, physical, and technical skills; classes often involved a lecture component to help students understand the philosophy behind the form. The result is an improvement in your overall health, and I can personally attest that you will leave his class feeling much more energetic.

As a final comment, I found that Derek's students tend to be more like family than classmates. We often found ourselves enjoying a good meal together to celebrate some special occasion, or meeting at a local park on a sunny weekend to further refine our skills. Students of the Tse Qigong Center are located throughout the world, and I forged strong friendships with other students from Canada, Montana, the East Coast, and even Europe while studying under Derek.