Damon Bramich

Sifu Damon Bramich teaches Tai Chi following the classical principles and teachings of the Yang Family rooted in discipline, respect, and the pursuit of internal harmony.

Damon has over five decades of Martials Arts experience and started his Tai Chi Journey at the age of 12. He trained under the personal guidance of Master Fu Sheng Yuan, son of the famous Fu Zhong Wen fourth generation patriarch of the Yang Family, for over 25 years. Damon is recognized as a leading closed-door disciple of Fu Sheng Yuan and Yang Family.

In 2017 Damon received the Zhi Chuan final teachings and transmission from his master before his death. Later that year he was recognised as a leading Yang Family disciple, completing the Bai Shi ceremony with Yang Zheng Dou, son of Yang Cheng Fu, consolidating his unique connection to the Yang Family’s legacy. Damon’s achievements include numerous world titles and gold medals in all Tai Chi disciplines (Forms, Weapons Push Hands) across four continents with victories spanning over five decades from the 80s to the 2020s. He is respected for his integrity, excellence, and depth of teaching, upholding the original traditions of the Yang Family.
Damon brings over 30 years of clinical experience as a registered allied health practitioner and educator. He specializes in the treatment of pain and injuries, integrating physical therapy, massage, and acupuncture to support health and recovery.

Damon’s teaching approach is to support students individually in their Tai Chi journey and beyond. He focuses on improving students coordinated movement, improving their overall body strength and balance with a fully functional core. He teaches students how to incorporate traditional breathing techniques with internal energy practices (Nei Gong) and how to link them into movement and use Tai Chi to improve vitality, wellbeing and martial arts. Damon has the ability to tailor Tai Chi to suit each student, regardless of their level of practice or health conditions. He believes Tai Chi has the potential to help everyone.

The legacy of the Fu/Yang Family

Fu Zhong Wen

Fu Zhong Wen ~ Sigong ~ Was born in 1903 in Guang Fu, the Yang Family village in Yongnian County, Hebei China. At the age of seven (in the west this is five years of age) he started training under the guidance of Yang Zou Pun (1875-1938), the only son of the famous Yang Ban Hou, and Yang Zhao Lin, the only son of Yang Feng Hou, the first son of Yang Lu Chan. In his youth, Fu Zhong Wen was fortunate to train directly with other family members, such as Yang Jian Hou, second generation family leader, Yang Shou Hou and Yang Chen Fu, when they returned to the village. In 1925, Sigong married (Ru Zhui Dizi) Zou Kuei Cheng, the great granddaughter of Yang Jian Hou

“Ru Zhui Dizi” translates to English as The Martrilocal disciple who marries into the household to become the family successor

Towards the end of 1925, Sigong moved to Shanghai to assist his uncle, Yang Chen Fu, in the further development of the Yang family’s art and spreading it across China. They worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the system and taught thousands of students.

The following picture is the only official disciple or Bai Shi photo of the Yang Family 3rd generation family leader. In the Chinese culture, this is hugely significant and depicts Fu Zhong Wen as Yang Chen Fu’s successor.

In 1936, when Great Master, Yang Chen Fu, passed away after complications from a short illness in Guangzhou. Sigong was with his master until the end, and he received the precious final teachings Zhi Quan from the great teacher. Shortly after, Sigong accompanied his teacher’s body back home to Guang Fu, where he was buried alongside other family members. Fu Zhong Wen took it upon himself to support his teacher’s family and is credited for teaching Tai Chi to Yang Chen Fu’s Children and other family members. As a footnote to the life of Fu Zhong Wen, a letter written by Chen Wei Ming (Yang Chen Fu’s first disciple) to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Yong Nian Tai Chi Federation, notes that Fu Zhong Wen received teaching and guidance from his relative, Yang Chen Fu, learned to the highest standard and made no alterations, confirming the authenticity of his Tai Chi. Fu Zhong Wen was also known by his peers as Fu Wu De for his honour, Kung Fu skill and virtuous character.

Translation of the above Chinese passage. The honorable Fu Zhong Wen was a close disciple (Ba Shi) of Yang Chen Fu. He mastered the art perfectly and precisely from his master. He is widely known to be the leading master of authentic Yang Family Tai Chi. Fu Zhong established the Yong Nian Tai Chi federation in 1944 and gave lessons for free. He has taught many students including the children of Yang Chen Fu. It is an honor to write a few words in remembrance. There is no one more qualified than Fu Zhong Wen to spread and teach the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Written by Chen Wei Ming 1954 for the Tenth anniversary of the Yong Nian Tai Chi federation.

Fu Zhong Wen was influential in spreading his family’s art across China, Asia, Australia and the United States and is credited with being one of the greatest martial artists of the 20th century. In 1956, Fu was the part of the team chosen by the Chinese Government to co-develop what is now known as the Tai Chi 24 Form or Beijing 24 Form. Later, Fu was commissioned by the Chinese government to write several books on Tai Chi Chuan. The first book was on the Yang Family Tai Chi 13 Sabre in 1959 and the second book in 1963 was on Mastering Yang Family Tai Chi.
Fu always supported his teacher’s family and their legacy. He personally organized the rebuilding of Yang Lu Chan’s house after a fire and turned it into a museum for the Tai Chi community to share while giving the Yang Tai Chi an ancestral home for future generations.

Fu diligently taught Tai Chi for over 75 years and was the leading adviser to the Shanghai Wushu School. He also worked at the Shanghai Hospital, Tong Ji University and he was Tai Chi Research Professor at the Shanghai Chemical University, to name a few.
After his death, the Chinese Government gave his family land a short walk from Yang Lu Chan’s house in Guang Fu, where today you can find a memorial dedicated to his legacy.

Below (pictures): 1. Fu Zhong Wen with student and China’s most famous martial arts actor, Jet Li; 2. Fu Zhong Wen memorial in Guang Fu China and Damon Bramich with Kung Fu Brother Fu Qing Quan, the only grandson Fu Zhong Wen.

Fu Sheng Yaun

Fu Sheng Yuan ~ Sifu~ (FSY), born 19th February 1931 in Guang Fu China, the birthplace of Yang Family Tai Chi. Fu Sheng Yuan was the only son of the famous Tai Chi Master Fu Zhong Wen. FSY is a direct descendant of the founder of Yang Tai Chi. Yang Lu Chan and was the first male of his generation, making him the fifth-generation patriarch of the Yang Family. Being the first male of his generation, FSY started learning his family art from the age of seven (five years old in the west.) FSY was extensively tutored by a core group of family, as well as students of Yang Jian Hou and many disciples of Yang Chen Fu. He trained with some of these masters for decades as it was a great cultural honour to teach the next generational leader. For nearly half a century, Sifu trained nightly with his father, as well as his father’s Kung Fu brothers and their disciples, generally for a minimum of four hours a day and often from 11pm onwards. Fu Sheng Yuan was influenced by so many great masters. They included his father, Fu Zhong Wen. At a young age, he was tutored by Yang Zou Pan, the son of the famous Yang Ban Hou and other family members in Guang Fu, Cui Yi Shi and Nu Chun Ming,

below Fu Sheng Yuan with Cui Yi Shi and Nu Chun Ming

They were students of Yang Jian Hou and disciples of Yang Chen Fu, they both resided in the Fu Household for long periods of time, including parts of the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. Sifu also spent time in Beijing with Cui Yi Shi and regarded them both as Sigong (Kung Fu Grandfathers). His Uncles, Fu Zhong Yuan, Zhao Bin and Tian Zhao Lin, were all disciples of Yang Chen Fu and some of the only students of Yang Shou Hou. Sifu regularly stayed with his uncle, Fu Zhong Yuan, who was a large man like his great uncle, Yang Chen Fu, and excelled at push hands. Fu Zhong Yuan later became resident master teacher in Guang Fu. Other disciples of Yang Chen Fu Sifu regularly trained with included Chen Wei Ming, Niu Jing Xuan, Li Ya Xuan, Chu Gui Ting, Zhang Qin Lin, Chen Guang Kai, Pu Yu, Chen Yua, Wu Wei Chuan and all the sons of Yang Chen Fu.

FSY and his family had a close relationship with the Wu Tai Chi family, who resided in the same village. They lived just around the corner from the Fu Family home. He would often visit and practice. One of his favourite Wu style uncles was Wu Tu Nan, whom he was friends with for over 50 years.

In later years, Sifu assisted his father in teaching Tai Chi. He was an instructor at the Shanghai Wu Shu Association, as well as other institutions such as Tongji University, Shanghai Chemical University, Shanghai Hospital, Renmin Jindcha (Police force) and PLA (military). After emigrating to Australia in 1989, he continued to teach his Family’s Tai Chi, spreading the art to over 25 countries around the world. After his father passed away in 1994, he became head of the Yong Nian World Tai Chi Federation, until his passing in 2017.

Below is Fu sheng Yuan with Damon Bramich in 1991

Below are the pictures of Damon’s public disciple ceremony in Guang Fu China with Fu Sheng yuan and the last disciple of the 4th Generation with Yang Zheng Duo 2017

Teacher profiles of some of the academy teachers

Miciah Guglielmi

Sifu Miciah commenced practicing Tai Chi in 2009 after spending the previous decade studying several kinds of martial arts in the USA and Australia. He is a Disciple of the Yang Tai Chi Family and accredited Tai Chi and Kung Fu instructor. He is the former World Push hands Champion and won the Australian National Championships 6 times in a row. Before he retired from competition in 2022, he was undefeated for 7 years in Push Hands.

Sue Seivl 

Sue has over 35 years’ experience in Tai Chi and has trained directly under many international masters. She is a qualified Tai Chi Instructor and Yang Family Disciple. Sue is a master teacher with over 50 years of face-to-face teaching experience. She teaches a number of the beginner and advanced student programs with the academy.

Dr Matt Stampe

Sifu Matt Stampe is a Yang Family disciple and has trained with many great masters including the famous Fu Zhong Wen, Fu Sheng Yuan and Fu Qing Quan. He has over 35 years of training in Tai Chi and holds a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a practicing Acupuncturist in Washington DC area.

Wei Su (Sue)

Sue has over 17 years’ experience in Tai Chi and has trained directly under the guidance of both 5th and 6th generation Yang Family masters in Shanghai. She is also a qualified Tai Chi instructor. Sue is one of the principles at the Newcastle Tai Chi School and runs a successful Chinese Massage practice in Newcastle.

Bev Mudge

Bev started Tai Chi in 1997 and has diplomas in Remedial Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a certified Tai Chi Instructor with Newcastle Tai Chi. Bev has been with Newcastle Tai Chi under the instruction of Damon Bramich for over 16 years. Bev is one of our most highly regarded teachers and also one of our most dedicated members of the school. Bev trains and teaches the classical internal aspects of the arts with a huge focus on energy and Qi cultivation.

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