Tributes to Brian - from his friends and colleagues in the world or Tai Chi
Part 1 of the tributes for Brian, these tributes have been taken from the Special Needs Forum website.
This past weekend the Forum held a workshop 'Pain Management' which Brian had been scheduled to teach. The workshop, which we dedicated to him, proceeded and was very successful, partly due to the deeply shared sentiments among the people who attended. Being together without Brian was very painful, yet we felt inspired to recommit ourselves to the main aim of the Forum-to share our experience and to learn from experts in their various fields so that Tai Chi can be made available to people of all abilities. Since it was the first time since Brian's death that we were together as Forum members, we decided to set aside time to talk about our great friend and colleague. We sat together at the end of the first day and shared our thoughts about this multi-talented, extraordinary (and also wonderfully ordinary) friend of ours. The stories made us laugh and made us cry.
Brian was our Chairman, our graphic designer, one of our course tutors, and a founder member of the Forum. From our very beginning in 2000, he rarely missed a workshop weekend or a steering meeting. He taught us, inspired us, photographed us, entertained us, designed us, and made us laugh. His knowledge of Tai Chi and Chi Kung was profound, though he had a light, generous way of sharing it. He often acknowledged his teacher, BK Frantzis and was very humble about his own knowledge. His devotion to healthy living was based on Chinese medicine, which somehow, quite mysteriously also included English beer. He made sure a trip to the pub was slipped in at the end of a long Steering Group meeting.
Brian was a rare human being-so many talents and so much kindness. On the one hand, he was full of sweet talk, mischief, music and merriment and on the other hand, he gave us his dedication, humility, loyalty and vision. And sometimes, when all the work was done, and the meeting was finally over, he would sing and play his guitar for us. Hard work and hard play brought us all closer as friends as well as colleagues. Just imagine. . . . . . .we must have spent 25 weekends together in Manchester developing Forum courses, teaching courses and learning from other tutors. What rare times we had!
These are some of the things we said about Brian this weekend-our words mixed in with our tears. He was a great Tai Chi player-a man who truly balanced his humanity (in the widest sense of the word) with his Tai Chi skill.
Linda Chase Broda, Course Director of the Forum
Mike Tabrett, Vice Chairman of the Forum
How dreadful to have lost Brian. I was fortunate to attend a workshop that Brian was taking at Tai Chi Caledonia in 2004 and was immediately impressed by his manner, patience and quality of Tai Chi (both personal and teaching). The things that struck me most, though were his ability to communicate and great sense of humour. He will be sadly missed.
My heartfelt condolences to all who knew him.
Betty Southerland
Brian was such a surprising person to find in the world of T'ai Chi - and especially in the 'special needs' end of the T'ai Chi spectrum. I feel lucky to have enjoyed his often hilarious and always rigorous teaching, and his love of the art. I always felt that he was living a tough life, very tenderly and beautifully. Thank you Brian
With love
Louanne Richards
I have met Brian a few times only. He was such a nice guy.
Thank you Brian for being on earth and for all advice the you gave to me.
Helmut Oberlack (Publisher of European Internal Arts Journal)
I am so sorry to hear that Brian has died. I can hardly believe that such a vibrant person, with all his gentleness mixed with strong opinions is not 'here' anymore and that I won't see him again. Those who are really close to him must miss him immensely. My warmest love and condolences.
Sue Webber
The seashell
Nothing, nothing at all
is born,
dies, the shell says again
and again
from the depths of hollowness.
Its body
swept off by the tide - what is this?
It sleeps
in sand, drying in sunlight,
bathing
in moonlight. Nothing to do
with sea
or anything else. Over
and over
it vanishes wih the wave.
Shinkichi Takahashi (1901-1987)
Jo Webster
Dear People and Friends,
I am absolutely shocked to get the information that Brian died! We met twice and he was such a wonderful person which really touched my heart! Beside this it was fantastic to spend 2 evenings with him, laughing a lot and later accompanied by his really nice singing! Wishing his soul a good journey
Michael Plštz (Hamburg)
Brian ran the Seagull School of Tai Chi here in Whitstable for 15 years. Hundreds of people locally have benefited from his energy and commitment to teaching tai chi. Brian's unique style will be sorely missed. He was always exploring the subtleties and depths of the form, which he passed on with clarity and colourful metaphors.
He will be missed not only for his tai chi, but also his music, his amateur dramatics and particularly his wonderful comedy routines.
There are also many patients and ex-patients from the K&C Pain Clinic who are still benefiting from the tai chi classes he established there. He had an inexhaustible supply of anecdotes matched only by his heartfelt passion for tai chi. Even after he moved to Cambridgeshire he continued to come down to Whitstable every week to teach us. Brian's legacy will be felt in the continuing class as well as in the practice of so many people his has influenced.
Jack Kenny
Such a great person Brian beaming with life's energy, a true Leader and inspiration. I only knew him a short time but will always feel his influence in me. My Heart goes out to his Family a great loss to us all left behind.
Tony Yoh
Brian you always made time in your very busy life for any one who asked for help. Supportive and inspiring , Brian thank you for giving me the confidence to change my life for the better. You will be deeply missed.
Maria xxxx (Concetta Smith)