OUR TEACHERS

Strong Foundations

Dwight Edwards - Dwight Edwards has been involved in the martial arts for 48 years. In high school he signed up for a taijiquan class at the Peoria YMCA. The following year he started Shorei-Goju Karate with Dave Suzuki. In his twenties he began exploring other styles, studying wingchun, Lama White Crane, and the progressive eclectic style, which included varying elements of wingchun, kali-escrima and muay thai. In 1984 he met Keith Boswell and together they taught at the Peoria Park District and promoting taijiquan in the Peoria area. In the late 80’s Dwight began studying Shaolin and Mantis Boxing with Keychung Song. Between 1993 and 1994 Dwight was introduced to two prominent Chinese martial arts teachers, shifu Jon Funk a well-know Seven Star Preying Mantis teacher and promoter from Vancouver Canada and Dr. Yang, a Chen style taijiquan teacher originally from Jiaozuo China, a city located some 30 miles north of the Chen village, the birthplace of taijiquan. Between 1995 and 2005 Dwight taught Seven Star Preying Mantis and Chen Style Taijiquan at the Peoria YMCA.  Dwight’s focus in taiji is the study and teaching Dr. Yang’s Hunyuan Chen Style Taijiquan. Together with Keith Boswell and Jim Wheeler he is working to re-established the Taiji Association of Peoria and promote the benefits associated with the practice of taijiquan.

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Jim Wheeler -Jim began his study of Taiji Quan in 1992.  He had previously studied external martial arts for eight years.  He has been instructing locally since 1999.  Jim currently teaches Taiji Quan at the Mindful Movement Center  in Peoria IL and is one of Dr. Yang Yang's certified instructors.

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Keith Boswell - Keith began his study of Taiji in 1975.  He studied the Cheng Man-Ching  Yang Style short form over the next seven years from Sifu Muntu and Preston Jackson.  Keith began teaching this form for the Peoria Park District in 1982.  In 1986 formed the Taiji Association of Peoria with Dwight Edwards.  He met and began studying Chen style form Laoshi Yang Yang in 1993. Keith moved to Knoxville TN and started the 5 Elements Tai Chi school with Dr. S. Matascik. He continues to study with Dr. Yang and is a certified EBT instructor.