To become a Tai Chi or /and Chi Kung (Chi Gong) instructor there are two structured pathways that lead to nationally recognised teaching status, these are processed through the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts and endorsed by CIMSPA.
PATHWAY ONE
Black Sash Accreditation
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 ACCREDITED
PATHWAY TWO
Chi Kung Instructor Course
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
THE TWO ROUTES
Two Pathways.
One Standard.
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.
01
FOR MARTIAL ARTS & TAI CHI PRACTITIONERS
Black Sash Accreditation Programme
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
- Entry into the Probationary Instructor Period (minimum 12 months)
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.
02
FOR WELLNESS & FITNESS PROFESSIONALS
Chi Kung Instructors Certifcation
WHAT IT IS
A structured three-level professional certification in Chi Kung instruction, covering Ba Duan Jin and Ptah Khi internal arts teaching methodology. Designed for yoga teachers, fitness professionals, healthcare workers, and dedicated practitioners who want to teach Chi Kung professionally.
QUALIFICATION
5 years of active practice and teaching post-certification
COURSE STRUCTURE
Level 1 — Foundation Chi Kung instruction: Ba Duan Jin and Static Postures teachings
Level 2 — Intermediate internal principles and class management
- Level 3 — Advanced teaching methodology and Ptah Khi system integration
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.
Clients & Partners
STAGE BY STAGE
The Full Progression
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.
Student Membership
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
Instructor Membership
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
Probationary Instructor Period
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.
Commercial Instructor Membership
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
- INDEPENDENT TEACHING
PTAH KHI RECOGNITION
CIMSPA Professional Membership
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
PRACTITIONER LEVEL
Delivers sessions professionally: Ideal for instructors building experience and establishing their classes.
INSTRUCTOR LEVEL
Independently plans, leads, and supervises classes: The full professional standard.
WHY IT MATTERS
Nationally Recognised. Properly Endorsed.
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
British Council for Chinese martial arts
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
Chartered Institute for the management of sport and physical activity
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
Tai Chi union for Great Britain (Internal Tai Chi)
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
ANNUAL RENEWAL
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.
Valid Insurance Cover
Annual renewal ensures uninterrupted insurance coverage for all teaching activities — protecting both instructor and student at every session.
Safeguarding Compliance
Continued compliance with UK safeguarding and professional standards — essential for teaching in schools, healthcare settings, and community venues.
Continued Development
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
Start With the Right Membership
Every instructor journey begins with becoming a student. Choose the membership that fits where you are right now. Progression follows naturally from there.
Free Membership
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
Affiliated Membership
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
Student Membership
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
The journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single class.
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.
Start Your Journey
Are you ready to become an Instructor? Whether you 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…
Have Questions?
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.
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