About the School

The Willow Tree School was founded in 2000. It ran for the previous two years in Rochester, New York and is now located in Melbourne, Australia. It's primary purpose is to develop and teach the most effective traditional Chinese methods for health and wellbeing.

The School's curriculum concentrates of foundation training in Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation, with a goal to developing chi (internal energy) and whole body coordination.

Students who persevere in their training will receive a variety of benefits including :

Stress/Anxiety Relief
Improved Circulation
Improved Balance
Aligned Posture
Relaxed yet powerful tendons and muscles
Increased Concentration
Increased Energy Levels

The Willow Tree School also teaches Tai Chi as a martial art, primarily as a method self improvement.

About the Teachers

Morgan Buchanan began training in Yang Style Tai Chi fifteen years ago at the Universtiy of Melbourne. After his time at university he continued studying Tai Chi, learning Tung Ying Chieh's method of Yang Style for three years with Sifu Yau Yee Kay. He then met his current teacher Sifu Law Lun Yeung and has been learning Cheng Man Ching's Tai Chi method from him for the last six years. When he moved 800km north to Canberra, Australia in 2003 Sifu Law sent Morgan to study with Sifu Eric Fitzgerald of A.C.T. Fundamental Tai Chi Chuan.

In 2002 Morgan travelled to France to attend the 1st European Cheng Man Ching Tai Chi Championships where he represented Australia.

For the last two years he has lived in New York state where he has had the opportunity to practice with some of Professor Cheng Man Ching's direct students - Masters Maggie Newman, Ken Van Sickle and Bill Phillips.

In terms of movement and energy training Morgan has studied Shamanic Dance and Bodywork with dancer and healer Zsuzsanna Soboslay and Zhineng Qigong (Chi Kung) with Master Zhong Sheng. He has been studying visualisation and meditation with a variety of teachers since 1991.

In terms of martial arts training other than Tai Chi Morgan has studied Shotokan Karate, Judo, Brasilian Jiu Jitsu, Kung Fu, Western Boxing and as a member of the International Martial Arts Alliance has had the opportunity to train and practice with a variety of instructors and students of many different styles. Morgan gave away all his other martial art practice to concentrate on Tai Chi.

Catherine Buchanan began Tai Chi training with Morgan at Melbourne University and assists her husband in running classes. She enjoys Tai Chi foundation practices and seated meditation. Catherine has a Phd in Astrophysics and works at the University of Melbourne. She is also a very good violinist.

For more information go to our articles section for our introductory information about the Willow Tree School.