Steve Renouf first started training in Shukokai Karate in 1974 but felt that competition Karate was not what he was looking for and so he left and didn't practice for a number of years. But the desire to learn a Martial Art never left him so several years later, he joined the Kenyukai Karate. Having practiced there for a couple of years, he still felt that sport karate did not offer him what he was looking for. It was around that time that a friend told him about this guy who was practising karate like he had never seen before - it seemed to be soft and flowing. That was in 1982, the style was Shoto-Ryu Karate and the teacher was Raymond Reid.

That was when Steve felt he had found what he'd been looking for - a style which concentrated on the Martial Art rather than competition. At this time, Ray was practising under Viv Nash and so Steve got to meet and practise with him too. It was around this time that Viv Nash had started introducing the Tai Chi into the practice. Originally, the Tai Chi was introduced to improve the Karate (as the style of Karate practised was along similar lines) but over a period of time, the Tai Chi began to dominate the practice, for Ray within the Jersey club.

And so it was that the Jersey Tai Chi Foundation came into being. It was just around the time that the Jersey Tai Chi Foundation was being formed that Steve was graded to 1st. Dan and is currently 3rd Dan Black belt.

Grant Osborn-Smith had practiced various martial arts through his teens and early twenties, including Judo, Aikido, wrestling, Tae Kwondo and Karate, but was always looking for a system of exercise that concentrated more on the internal structure of the physical activity from a martial arts perspective, rather than purely on the external movements:

"I came upon the Jersey Tai Chi Foundation by chance in 1988 when I happened to walk past the door of the club and caught the practice out of the corner of my eye. It immediately intrigued me and I suspected that it might be Tai Chi. I put my head round the door and asked if I could come in and watch. Ray Reid said 'No, but I could come in and join the practice if I liked'. I have been hooked ever since".

"I could best describe Tai Chi as a total system of movement that is designed to unify the mind, body and breath. There are so many things I like about Tai Chi that it is difficult to know where to start or finish. Practicing Tai Chi brings many benefits, from a sense of calmness and improved health through to better coordination and sensitivity. This all leads to a greater understanding and acceptance of myself, and consequently of others as well. It enriches my life and I know that this is something that I will want to continue to do for as long as I live".