THE WAY OF HEAVEN
& EARTH SCHOOL
Copyright©Tiandidao1974-2025+
Tested & Accepted by China ICKF 1987.
“Genuine traditional Chinese Arts.”
Insured by:
“All Kung-fu is of Heaven & Earth!”
This is the quote from Shi-Jo Symonds in 1974, while talking to his Budoka ‘Brother’, Sensei Kevin Addy. Kevin asked, “Have you heard about that guy in Lowestoft who says he’s created a style of Martial Arts that is different to all others, unique?”
Myke smiled. “Really? All styles use arms, legs, feet and elbows. Has he discovered something we don’t have? It’s not the style, it’s how you teach and what you teach. All Kung-fu is of Heaven and Earth!”
It was at that moment his life came full circle. He felt bathed in a light and the thought entered his head that he must start a school, not a “new” school, but a Traditional one, focused on Taoist Arts. That was just one of many spiritually guided experiences relating to the Traditional Taoist Arts. However, with China’s doors still closed to outsiders, research was going to be hard. That’s where Spiritual Guides helped, teaching things long forgotten and in need of preserving.
As a child of just 4, Shi-fu was practising some sort of unknown “Shadow Boxing” around the house, including Pillow Punching and Throwing. On his first day at junior school, he was approached and attacked by two bullies, who he dispatched with a perfect Bow Stance & Double-Punch!
After sorting out the bullies at the next school too, later, at age 9 a precious symbol came in to the house and he knew that it had deep significance - probably from a past life in China. This symbol was a Snake & Crane, entwined in combat: the symbol used to define T’ai Chi’s creation by Ch’eung Sam-Feng (13th Century China, but now denied by some).
A life full of Spirit Guides and Spiritual encounters lead through to studies of Eastern philosophies, practises and Martial arts studies, until he was “ready”. In 1974 he was personally invited to join Prof. Chee Soo’s Teacher Training classes in Dunstable. Here he attained the Teaching grade and Taoist Arts Master Soo opened a school for him in Gt Yarmouth in 1978.
By this time, he had already studied the ‘hard styles’ of Martial Arts, and traced their roots back to Chinese Boxing, or “Kung-fu” as it has become generically known. He had already established the school name of T’ien Ti Tao P’ai (The Way of Heaven & Earth School) with which Grandmaster Soo was quite aware and happy of it, understanding The Way; in 1974 Prof Soo invited him to his Teacher’s Training group, studying Li/Lee Family Arts and Trad. TCM, etc.
Myke Symonds (left) with Prof. Chee Soo in Gt Yarmouth, 06/10/78.
A Brief Resume:
STUDIES INCLUDE:
Chinese Pugilism, theory, systems and principles.
History and lineage. Other National M.A.’s too.
INDIAN; Yoga, Mahayana Buddhism, Sufism, etc.
TIBETAN; Buddhism, philosophy, special meditations, breathing techniques and other exercises.
VARIOUS: Zen, Kempo Karate, Hsing-I Ch’uan, T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Ch'i Kung, TCM, K’ai Men & Taoist Arts generally.
Massage Techniques, Diet and dietetics, Herbalism, Acupressure, Massage and Ch’ang Ming (Long Life Diet),
sports injury avoidance and care, sports photography, etcetera.
POSTS HELD:
Chief Executive Instructor of the AMAA - UK
East Anglia TCA Instructor for Dr. Paul Lam (Australia).
Lecturer for Probation Services.
Former Posts Held:
East Anglia Ambassador for
Kuoshu (I.C.K.F., R.o.China); also
UK Judge and Events Official.
Norfolk Representative for Kung-
fu, and Events Organiser for
Amateur Martial Association, UK.
- Other, numerous.
SUBJECTS & AWARDS:
• Professor of Taoist Arts • MA. and B.N.M.A.A. hons
• Instructor of TCA (Dr. Lam) • GNVQ 2 Sports Coaching
• Taoist Philosophy • Taoist K'ai Men Yoga
• Taoist Ch’ang Ming Diet (Long Life diet)
• Ch’i Kung Energy Training • Taoist diagnostics, health
& healing Arts/TCM. • iTech Computer Studies.
• School Accepted by ICKF as “Genuine trad. Chinese Arts”
Psychology & Philosophy are intertwined with Behaviour and Lifestyle. These aspects are all affected by training: correct or incorrect methods. Correct training in Taoist Arts
Creates a better psychological Profile. Remember, these are “Life Arts”, designed by Taoists over thousands of years to help improve humanity.
Right: Dunstable 1975.