Our Poon Dojo Partnership

We work with Active Newham who partners with Newham Council to promote sports, leisure, and volunteering opportunities. Together, we actively engage with the local community through events and activities in neighborhood parks. At Poon Dojo, we have led various classes and workshops, including "Benefits of Tai Chi for Health & Balance" and early morning Tai Chi sessions for people over 50 in Central Park, East Ham. These initiatives aim to enhance well-being and foster community connection through the practice of martial arts and Tai Chi.

We at Poon Dojo have worked closely with AGE UK for over 20 years, particularly with AGE UK Waltham Forest, supporting the older community through regular weekly “Tai Chi for Health & Balance” classes. In 2020, we expanded our partnership to include AGE UK Redbridge, Barking, Dagenham, and Havering. Collaborating with their Falls Prevention and Health & Wellbeing teams, we now offer additional Tai Chi for Health and Wellbeing classes, furthering our commitment to enhancing balance, health, and overall quality of life for older adults in these communities.

We proudly partner with Master Ding Academy (MDA), an international academy specializing in traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Both Sifu Ko and Sensei John Poon have trained with Master Ding for over 20 years and are qualified, approved instructors of the academy. They continue their training under Master Ding’s guidance while teaching Tai Chi for Health & Balance classes across East London and Essex, sharing their expertise to promote well-being and preserve the traditional practice of Tai Chi Chuan.

We collaborate with Links Support Solutions, an innovative service promoting self-directed support through tailored programs. As part of this partnership, Poon Dojo offers weekly “Tai Chi for Health & Balance” classes for individuals aged 18 and over with learning disabilities, complex needs, or autism. These sessions are designed to enhance physical well-being, balance, and overall quality of life, providing a supportive and inclusive environment for participants.
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We have been teaching at Maryland Primary School, E15, for nearly a decade, providing martial arts instruction to children from Year 3 and up, starting at age 7. Our classes aim to build confidence, discipline, and physical fitness in a supportive and engaging environment.

RDLAC and Poon Dojo work closely to deliver Tai Chi for Health & Balance classes, supporting children, young people, adults, isolated women, families, and older adults in improving their health and well-being. These sessions also foster social inclusion and community cohesion by engaging local participants. For some, Tai Chi has enhanced confidence and life skills, such as staying calm and focused during job interviews. Additionally, we conduct annual workshops with RDLAC to promote healthier living across Newham, reinforcing our commitment to community well-being and personal growth through Tai Chi.

In 2020, we were invited by the Head of Physical Education at New City Primary School to introduce our Martial Arts, Health & Wellbeing programs. We now teach nearly 500 students across Years 3 to 6 during the academic year. During school hours, we focus on “Tai Chi for Health & Wellbeing,” helping children stay relaxed, focused, and disciplined while promoting better health. In after-school sessions, we offer “Martial Fitness for Health,” improving students’ coordination, conditioning, and fitness levels. The students have excelled in their learning and development, showcasing the positive impact of our programs.

The Memory Group in the City of London, Barbican, supports older adults concerned about memory, including those with memory issues or dementia diagnoses. At Poon Dojo, we provide a specialized Tai Chi exercise group tailored to their needs. These sessions focus on gentle movements designed to enhance body memory, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm and well-being.

We continue to serve as consultants for the NHS, delivering a range of Martial Arts, Health, and Wellbeing sessions. Recently, we’ve focused on running exercise programs with the NHS Fall Prevention team, aiming to improve balance and reduce fall risks for participants, furthering our commitment to community health and safety.

Since the early 2010s, we have been teaching at St. Antony’s Catholic School, E7, after being invited by the Head Teacher to introduce our Martial Arts, Health & Wellbeing programme. We now conduct weekly classes during the academic term, promoting fitness, focus, and overall well-being among students.

Since 2015, we have been teaching at St. Augustine’s Catholic School, IG2, following an invitation from the Head Teacher to introduce our Martial Arts, Health & Wellbeing programme. We run weekly classes during the academic term, including “Tai Chi for Health & Wellbeing” sessions for students in Years 3 to 6, promoting focus, relaxation, and overall health.

Uniting Friends is a social inclusion project supporting adults with learning disabilities across Redbridge, Newham, Havering, Waltham Forest, Barking and Dagenham, and Essex. At Poon Dojo, we provide regular weekly classes, including “Martial Fitness for Health” and “Tai Chi for Health & Wellbeing,” helping participants improve their physical fitness, focus, and overall well-being.

Since 2017, we have been teaching at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, E10, after being invited by the Head Teacher to introduce our Martial Arts, Health & Wellbeing programme. We now conduct weekly classes during the academic term, fostering students’ physical health, focus, and overall well-being.

We work closely with Waltham Forest Borough to promote and support Health & Wellbeing events. Throughout the year, we run regular Martial Arts and Tai Chi sessions, encouraging physical fitness, mental focus, and overall well-being within the community.

We have served as Martial Arts and Tai Chi Consultants for the University of East London (UEL), conducting various sessions throughout the year. At UEL’s Stratford (E15) and Royal Docks (E16) campuses, we support initiatives promoting healthier living for both students and staff through our Martial Arts, Health, and Wellbeing programme.

Since the early 2010s, we have been teaching at Goodmayes Primary School, IG3, after being invited by the Head Teacher to introduce our Martial Arts, Health & Wellbeing program. We now run two classes every Friday, catering to primary, junior, and secondary-level children from the school and the surrounding area.
CEME is a 19-acre campus housing over 100 engineering, technology, and training businesses. At Poon Dojo, we have provided Tai Chi and self-defense classes for CEME staff and clients, promoting physical well-being, focus, and personal safety for everyone using the facilities.
We regularly provide Tai Chi sessions for the workforce at Citigroup, helping staff relax, de-stress, and re-focus. These classes promote better health and well-being, supporting a balanced and productive work environment.