About Derek Croley
Derek Croley began his study of the Martial Arts at the age of 8 and began teaching at the age of 13 as an assistant instructor. At the age of 15 he received his first Black Belt under Shihan Dave Kovar in Sacramento, California. who now operates the largest and most successful schools in the country and is internationally known for his teaching methods.
While still 15, he moved to Aiken, South Carolina where he became an Instructor under Grand Master Andy Watford. It was here that Derek began his study of Tai Chi and other Internal Martial Arts.
While attending college he studied Tai Chi under a Chinese man by the name of Scotty- who taught him a great deal over many, many cups of coffee. Also around then he became a certified instructor of Yang Style Tai Chi under Dennis Brown.
With a degree from Clemson University in Business Management, Derek and his wife Brook moved to Jilin City, in the Jilin Provence of Manchurian China where he further perfected his skills under Master Shifu Lui Chan Shan. Under Master Lui, he was the first Westerner ever to learn the art of Taiji Yuan Gong Chan Chuan, and is one of a few people in the world who knows this secret art. With the blessing of the Beishan Temple he is allowed to teach this art openly in America. While in Northeastern China he also earned the title of Shifu (teacher) in the art of Tai Chi Chuan. He still visits from time to time.
In 2005 he was awarded the title of Master Instructor in the US TAI Martial Arts Association. In 2008 he was awarded the title of Master Instructor under Grand Master George Xu, as well as being awarded a 7th degree Black Belt in Xu Shen Chuan.
Derek has written four books on the Martial Arts, has been published with several articles, and has also made several educational videos on a wide variety of topics.
Recently, he was highlighted in the silver screen documentary "The Why of Tai Chi."
Master Croley now resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife and children. He has numerous Black Belts and Instructor Certifications, he is the Founder and President of Croley's Martial Arts Center, a founder of the White Oak Leadership Institute, the founding Chairman of the ASTM Martial Arts Safety Standards Committee, the 2008-2009 President of the local Rotary Club, and he is a member of the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In 2008 Master Croley recieved an honorary PhD in Martial Arts Philosophy from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies in Conjunction with the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This is an industry award for years of service and contribution to the arts.
He has also recently been appointed as a Vice President of WACIMA, the World Association of Chinese Internal Martial Arts (
www.wacima.org), by it's President Grand Master George Xu.