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PERSONAL
PROFILE - SIFU LARRY TUCK
Larry joined the
International Taiji & Shaolin Wushu Association after becoming
disillusioned by the commercial approach of the Contact Karate that he had
pursued for three years since 1981. He came to Carlton Forum Leisure
Centre in Nottingham seeking out a Taiji class to balance the physical
aspects of Karate.
Being tight with his money,
he realised that he could study something called Wing Chun and the Taiji
for one lesson fee! So, rather by default, his practice of the
Chinese arts began. He trained each Sunday night under Derek Frearson, and
elsewhere in Nottingham with his Kung Fu elder brothers during the week.
Having a black belt already he felt no pressure to grade and none was
applied. He abandoned the Karate for the lifetime study that is Gung Fu
and eventually graded Black Sash in 1988.
On opening the Joint Effort
Fitness Studio in 1990, he applied for permission to teach for the
Association, and made the progress that comes with daily access to the
Mook Jong, from the questions and misinterpretations of his
students, and the need to fill 1.5 hours of activity twice a week!
 In
1994 Larry traveled to Hong Kong, Shaolin and Foshan with Derek's infamous
China Tours. Apparently these are advertised as health tours in some
quarters! Late nights, early mornings, excessive pijou, perilous
transport and questionable food must be good for you! Still he must have
liked the training because he returned to England, sold his precious
motorbike and went back with Derek the very next year. When abroad
Larry concentrates on improving Taiji with Master Ou Ron Ji and Foshan
Wing Chun Kuen With Master Lun Kai. He has also learnt a little of
the Po Fa Lein Wing Chun with Sifu Leo Man.
 Larry
teaches both at Joint Effort and at local further education colleges. The
latter are quite good at getting Taiji classes together. Through
them he has taught in such varied situations as to a Prostitutes
Collective, and to other women's groups - both college staff and Asian
groups. Last year, 1998, Larry taught Taiji to groups with mental
health problems, which he found to be most rewarding. Recently Larry
has been assisting his Kung Fu elder brother Mick Yates with his club at
Bakersfield, though this has now been handed on to Dean Pugh, who will
make a very capable teacher. Larry works on security for a firm
supervising the balls, parties and events at Nottingham University and is
a registered doorman.
 The
recent years have not given Larry as much time as he would like to
practice, but with Derek's influence and Mick's practical approach, plus
the afterglow of the China tours, he feels he has been in a very creative
and productive period and that the students have definitely benefited.
For his own development he has the next few years to hone his Chi Sau, and
expand his practice of Tui Shou.
If you would
like further information on the martial arts offered at Joint Effort,
Larry can be contacted at the gym on 0115 943 0956, alternatively, email
on: enquiries@joint-effort.co.uk
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