RUYI School

Tina Faulkner

Tina began training as a young child in Gong Fu and Chin Na with her father, Gordon Faulkner. During this time Gordon was also teaching the internal practices and meditations of Mantak Chia. Over the years Gordon would frequently host one of Mantak Chia's most senior students and illustrator, Juan Li. These early encounters sparked a lifelong curiosity for Tina and an eagerness to learn Taiji.

At twenty she moved to Beijing to study Daoyin Yangsheng Gong at the Beijing Sports University, graduating in 1996. At this time she entered international competitions, winning a number of medals. Whilst living in Beijing, Tina began studying with Master Shi Ming, a national treasure of China and author of Mind Over Matter.

On her return from China, Tina oped her own school in Aberdeen (Scotland) and taught regularly in America. She had the privilege of studying with and hosting Professor Li DeYin on a number of occasions and also acting as ambassador when Professor Li DeYin was invited to teach in New Hampshire, America.

Tina has continued to return to China, over the years, studying 'Health Qigong' known as Daoyin Yangsheng Gong at the Sports University of Beijing.

Around ten years ago Tina was introduced to Master Chen LiSheng, 15th Generation Disciple of Wudang Xuanwu. Tina's school has recently been awarded the first Teaching Cooperation to the Wudang Daoist Wuji Gongfu Academy, thereby creating a direct cultural link to Wudang Mountain. Now her continued self cultivation takes her to WuDang to study Taijiquan, Qigong and more recently Baguazhang with Master Chen.

Her school has been running private and public classes as well as teaching in the healthcare sector for nearly twenty years. Some of the organisations include the Confucius Institute of Aberdeen and the Maggie Centre for cancer care.

Matthew Knight

Matthew began studying Taijiquan and Qigong in 1998 with Tina Faulkner-Elders at the Ruyi School of Taijiquan & Qigong. More recently visiting Master Chen's school in Wudang on several occasions studying Tai Yi Wu Xing Quan, Taijiquan and Baguazhang. Also learning the Wudang Five Animals (Wu Xing) Qigong with Master Chen on his visits to Scotland.

Teaching Chinese and Daoist Internal Arts with the Ruyi School for over six years now and regularly conduct private and public classes with Alzheimer Scotland, The Confucius Institute, City Moves, Aberdeen City Health and Social Care, Golden Games, Aberdeen Foyer, and Health Outfit.

Currently teaching predominantly the principal Wudang forms 9-step and 18-step Taijiquan, Baguazhang and Wudang Five Animals. Periodically also teaching Stress Management Qigong (Daoyin) and 24-step simplified Taijiquan. Matthew developed the Taiji in the Park gathering which is a free event every summer and those classes (along with Qigong in the Park) continued for a longer stretch May to October 2020 during the Coronavirus situation.

Matthew is currently completing and working on a TEFL course with a view to teaching English to foreign language students in the very near future.

Check out this great article in our local P&J paper on Matthew's 5000+ mile trip! P&J Article: What I Did On My Holidays

Ursula Bass

Ursula first started studying Taijiquan (Tai Chi) in 2000 with Angela Crawford and later with Jane Innes, both of whom were students of Gerda Geddes.

Her personal training continues with Jane Innes (Tai Chi Aberdeenshire) and Tina Faulkner (Ruyi School). Through them she has trained with Chinese Master Chen Lisheng here in Scotland and at Wudang Daoist Wuji Gong Fu Academy (link) in China during an extended visit in 2016.

When not teaching Taiji or Qigong, Ursula runs with Deeside Runners and competes under the club name when hill racing.

Most of all she enjoys running with her dog in the woods. The Taiji helps with strength and endurance, and the Qigong helps maintain flexibility. Overall they all complement each other.