To become a Tai Chi or /and Chi Kung instructor there are two structured pathways that lead to nationally recognised teaching status, these are processed through the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA) and Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
PATHWAY ONE
Complete the full Level 1–10 Black Sash Programme over a minimum of five years of active training. Achieving Black Belt opens the door to Instructor Membership through the BCCMA.
MIN. 5 YEARS
BCCMA PATHWAY
CIMSPA PATHWAY
PATHWAY TWO
A structured three-level professional certification in Chi Kung instruction. After five years of active practice and teaching, graduates may qualify for full Instructor status within the Ptah Khi system.
MIN. 5 YEARS
BCCMA PATHWAY
CIMSPA PATHWAY
THE TWO ROUTES
Both pathways lead to the same destination nationally recognised instructor status through the BCCMA. The route you take depends on your starting point and your goals. Both require the same commitment: a minimum of five years of dedicated practice and teaching.
FOR MARTIAL ARTS & TAI CHI PRACTITIONERS
WHAT IT IS
A complete Level 1–10 Tai Chi Chuan pathway integrating Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Nei Kung, and Nei Dan training with teaching methodology and internal principles. The most comprehensive instructor development pathway offered by the Ptah Khi School.
MINIMUM DURATION
5 years of consistent training and development
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Student Membership through the BCCMA (after 4 introductory classes)
Consistent attendance and personal practice throughout all levels
Successful completion of all grading requirements up to Black Belt level
ON ACHIEVING BLACK BELT
Eligibility for BCCMA Instructor Membership with Basic Instructor Insurance Cover
Option to apply for CIMSPA Practitioner or Instructor status
OUTCOME
Commercial Instructor status:
Give practitioners the right to teach Tai Chi professionally and independently anywhere in the UK, under both BCCMA and Ptah Khi School recognition.
FOR WELLNESS & FITNESS PROFESSIONALS
QUALIFICATION
5 years of active practice and teaching post-certification
Level 1 — Foundation Chi Kung instruction: Ba Duan Jin and Static Postures teachings
Level 2 — Intermediate internal principles and class management
AFTER CERTIFICATION
Eligible to teach Chi Kung classes under supervision immediately
After 5 years of active practice: eligible for full BCCMA Instructor Membership
Option to progress into the Black Sash pathway for full Tai Chi instructor status
IDEAL FOR
Yoga teachers, physiotherapists, fitness instructors, healthcare professionals, and wellness practitioners seeking anationally recognised Chi Kung qualification to add to their professional offering.
STAGE BY STAGE
Every membership stage in the Ptah Khi instructor journey is processed through the BCCMA ensuring national recognition, valid insurance cover, and compliance with safeguarding standards at every level.
Open to all new practitioners. After attending four introductory classes, students register as official Student Members through the BCCMA. This is the foundation of the entire pathway — national recognition and insurance cover from day one.
OPEN TO ALL
BCCMA REGISTERED
INSURANCE INCLUDED
AFTER 4 CLASSES
Available after achieving Black Belt (Black Sash pathway) or completing five years of active practice (Chi Kung pathway). Registered directly through the BCCMA with Basic Instructor Insurance Cover. Instructors at this level may assist in classes under supervision and lead sections of a class to gain teaching experience.
BLACK BELT REQUIRED
BCCMA REGISTERED
BASIC INSTRUCTOR INSURANCE
SUPERVISED TEACHING
A structured minimum 12-month phase between Instructor and Commercial Instructor status. This is a period of supervised teaching development — not a formality, but a genuine commitment to becoming a skilled and safe teacher. Instructors maintain a Teaching Reflection Log and continue refining their personal practice throughout.
MINIMUM 12 MONTHS
TEACHING REFLECTION LOG
HEAD COACH ASSESSMENT
During this period instructors develop: Class management skills, safety awareness, student communication, teaching confidence, and continued personal internal development.
The culmination of the instructor pathway. Eligible after a minimum of one year of supervised teaching and Head Coach approval. Registered through the BCCMA with full Commercial Instructor Insurance Cover. The right to operate classes independently — anywhere in the UK — under both BCCMA and Ptah Khi School recognition.
HEAD COACH APPROVAL
BCCMA REGISTERED
PTAH KHI RECOGNITION
After achieving Black Belt and Instructor status, instructors may apply to join CIMSPA (the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). This is an optional pathway that significantly expands professional recognition across the UK sport and fitness industry, particularly for instructors bridging martial arts with health, wellbeing, and fitness fields.
OPTIONAL
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
CPD ACCESS
PTAH KHI ENDORSED
Delivers sessions professionally: Ideal for instructors building experience and establishing their classes.
Independently plans, leads, and supervises classes: The full professional standard.
The Ptah Khi instructor pathway is endorsed by both the BCCMA and CIMSPA. This endorsement is not cosmetic it determines what you can teach, where you can teach it, and whether you are insured to do so.
BCCMA
The UK’s official governing body for Chinese martial arts. Every stage of the Ptah Khi instructor pathway is processed directly through the BCCMA providing insurance cover, national recognition, and safeguarding compliance at every level. Annual renewal ensures continued validity.
CIMSPA
The professional body for the UK sport and physical activity sector. Ptah Khi’s endorsement means graduates can register with CIMSPA at Practitioner or Instructor level. A professional recognition that would otherwise require separate qualifications and would not be available through basic affiliate membership alone.
TCUGB
Students completing the Black Sash pathway may join the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, providing additional professional community, resources, and recognition within the wider UK Tai Chi teaching community.
Ongoing Commitments
All memberships: Student, Instructor, and Commercial Instructor, are renewed annually through the BCCMA. Renewal is not a formality. It is a continued commitment to professional standards and the Ptah Khi vision.
Annual renewal ensures uninterrupted insurance coverage for all teaching activities — protecting both instructor and student at every session.
Continued compliance with UK safeguarding and professional standards — essential for teaching in schools, healthcare settings, and community venues.
Renewal marks an ongoing commitment to personal cultivation and professional development — core to the Ptah Khi vision.
THE PTAH KHI VISION
Becoming an instructor at Ptah Khi is not the end of a journey, it is the beginning of a deeper one. The commitment to teach is the commitment to continue learning — SIFU SAHU TAO SHEN, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
Every instructor journey begins with becoming a student. Choose the membership that fits where you are right now. Progression follows naturally from there.
Access the Ptah Khi community and explore the school before committing to a training pathway. The natural starting point for anyone curious about the system.
Wednesday online class at £10 per session
Access to the Living Mindfully resource library
Access to free content and introductory resources
For students attending in-person classes in London. This is the membership for those actively training on the instructor pathway through the Black Sash programme. Includes complimentary access to the Wednesday live online session.
In-person class attendance in London
Wednesday online session included free
Access to free content and introductory resources
£60 joining fee · £40 annual renewal
Full access to the online course ecosystem and the Chi Kung Instructor Certification pathway. For students training remotely who are working toward the Chi Kung instructor qualification.
Full online course platform access
Chi Kung Instructor Course access
Wednesday online class included
£120 joining fee · £56 annual renewal
Whether you are drawn to the Black Sash pathway or the Chi Kung Instructor Certification — every Ptah Khi instructor began exactly where you are now. The standard is high because what you will be able to give your students is worth it.
Are you ready to become an Instructor? Whether you are seeking to become a Tai Chi or Chi Kung (Chi Gong) Instructor, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Take the first step…
We’re here to help! Whether you’re curious about the curriculum, courses, programs, or any other queries on becoming an instructor, reach out to us today.
