About Us

About Us

Master Stephen Hwa & Sifu James Roach

Classical Tai Chi Tao of Martial Applications

Wu's "Bai Shi" Ceremony

Master Wu Kwong Yu & Jim Roach

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The instructor, Sifu James Roach, was born in Buffalo, NY in 1946 and has traveled extensively around the world but still calls Buffalo his hometown. He has a degree in Medical Technology and worked for 25 years for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Mr. Roach began his Tai Chi study in 1976. He also studied Wu's Style of Tai Chi in Toronto in the 1980's and became a "disciple" of the Wu Family . Roach had the privilege to study with the Great-grandson of legendary Grandmaster Wu Chien Chuan, Master Wu Kwong Yu. Master Hwa and Sifu James Roach have studied the Wu's Style from different generations of teachers and students. Mr. Roach still treasures the photograph he has of the "Bai Shi" ceremony.

Sifu Roach became actively engaged in study with Master Hwa in April of 2003 and he feels that only then did he find the many "missing pieces" that he had been seeking for so long in his study...the study of the Neigong or Internal Discipline.

Sifu James Roach teaches classes to staff and students at Buffalo State College, the University of Buffalo and also leads several classes in the Buffalo, NY area.

Teaching Certificate

Certification of James Roach

Teacher Certification and Pledge

Master Stephen Hwas' recent release of information regarding Teacher Certification came after much work and soul searching. With the death of Grandmaster Young Wabu in April of 2005 Master Hwa lost not only his beloved teacher but a "link" in the chain of Tai Chi elders that traces back to the 19th Century. The decision of Master Hwa to establish criteria for certification of Classical Tai Chi teachers was ever more poignant with the passing of his Master.

What struck me most deeply were Master Hwas' recent words when he announced his decision to appoint his first teacher and released the criteria to the public. I quote: "He (Grandmaster Young Wabu) often told his students that it was his duty to propagate his teacher's art to the future generation. He also urged us to do the same. The responsibility of passing the knowledge on to the next generation is an obligation I felt deeply. With the passing of Grandmaster Young, I feel an ever more urgent desire to insure that Classical Tai Chi will be passed on to future generations."

I want to express my gratitude and sincerest appreciation to Master Hwa for the trust he has shown in appointing me to be the first certified teacher of Classical Tai Chi. For so many of those teachers before me, the instruction of Classical Tai Chi has meant a lifetime pledge of service to one's own teacher, concern for the community of students and fellow Tai Chi practitioners and awareness of the great responsibility to not only accurately pass on the teachings but to "propagate the art to future generations". The opportunity to follow so many distinguished men and women who preceded me as teachers of Classical Tai Chi also carries a certain degree of humility. . . . I pledge to contribute to the practice and instruction of Classical Tai Chi to the best of my ability.

Sifu James Roach