My name is Paul Mitchell. I have spent the last four decades immersed in the study of the Asian arts, martial,medical and spiritual.

As a follower of the Daoist Three fold way I began my studies by wholeheartedly applying myself to the combative arts.

I was never one to be interested in modern competitive martial sports but from the start of my journey back in the 1980s I became fascinated by the concept of strengthening the body and mind through the rigours of the training hall.

My initial development was through the study of Classical Japanese karatedo and I soon began to love my time spent in the Dojo.

I was extremely fortunate to become the student of some truly fantastic Karateka and numbered several world renowned Japanese senseis as both teachers and grading examiners.

After many years of dedicated study I reached the grade of 5th dan in Shotokan karatedo. I still spend time in the dojo training and teaching. I still love to pass on my experience and knowledge to others and consider myself a gate keeper for others, in order for them to embark on their personal journey.

It was not long before I understood that as a journey person or somebody that follows the “way”,I must continually develop and must never let my training stagnate.

The founder of Shotokan Karatedo, an Okinawa by the tittle and name of sensei Gichin Funakoshi wrote that a follower of

his way should look backwards in order to move forwards. This gave me direction for my future studies.

Backwards from Okinawa in terms of martial development was China. So the martial arts of China became my inspiration and endeavour.

The external arts had been my home and bedrock for many years and I was aware that classically a martial artist of the Orient of old would develop their art from and external entity into an internal one as they became more skilled and as this most certainly takes time, aged. Therefore the internal art of Taijiquan drew my interest and became my primary method of personal development.

Again I was fortunate to find some great teachers. As a believer in providence playing a role in our lives I don’t think there has been anything random about the way everything almost fell into place once I had decided on my life’s study.

Eventually, my eldest son, who of course began his studies as his fathers student was to become my greatest teacher. It is literally funny how life turns I feel. The events that led up to this certainly seem like a thing of fiction, but that is the way that providence rolls I guess.

At the start of my once again immersion into my studies, this time of Taijiquan I think I had the notion that I would simply do some in order to soften, supplement and maybe internalise my karatedo. Of course I fell in love with this art as well. So much to study and such little time.

From day one of my studies I had developed a daily practice and now this had stretched into several hours along with working and teaching commitments.

Hard work it was, but looking back it formed me as a person and was worth every moment spent and drip of sweat spent.

The internal world of Taijiquan led me into the realm of Qigong, Neigong, Daoyins,TCM and meditation.

My development through the Three Fold Way, from warrior to healer to priest continues to this day. One never truly transcends a stage and all aspects of these wonderful methods of personal cultivation need constant practice and refinement and this keeps me busy on a daily basis.

As I stated previously my main method of personal development at this stage of my life is that of Taijiquan.

I teach Taijiquan to groups throughout the UK, Europe and the USA.

As I travel between these groups it is fantastic to see that there is an ever growing number of students achieving great skills in their chosen art form.

My son, Damo Mitchell founded a Daoist arts organisation in 2002, naming it Lotus Nei Gong international.

I became a leading teacher within this group.

The Ethos of LNG is to pass on the teachings of the Daoist arts in their original and authentic state.

My personal opinion is that the purpose of life in the physical realm is in order to develop and cultivate ourselves through our life span using our bodies and minds in order to strengthen and refine our spirits for the next stage of our development,whatever that may be.