Sifu David Ridgway

Enhanced DBS Insure4sport Wing Chun WCI Qigong BHQA Self-defence Telford

Page summary: Introducing the Founder and Guardian of the vision for Synergy Tao Holistic Health Hub: Sifu David Ridgway.

Synergy Tao – holistic martial arts training in Telford

About

Sifu David Ridgway Is Primarily a martial arts instructor, with a background in Kick boxing, Muay Thai and specialisation in Wing Chun and QiGong. He is also a strong supporter of Equality and Human Rights, and is passionate about science, philosophy, and sociology. Sifu David also has a background before policing with qualifications Advanced Hospitality and catering.

After Retiring from West Midlands Police after nealry 2 decades as a front line police officer, Sifu David Retired due to medical reasons and decided to bring his martial arts experience as well as his knowledge of the practical application of the law especially surrounding self defence, to the public by training as an Instructor and opening a school as part of the WCI Organisation.

In 2025 after the global pandemic and financial crises of the years Prior, Sifu David decided to take the bold step of relaunching his school (WCI Telford) under a new name which reflects the principles of adaptation through combining skills, people, experiences, training to create a philosophy which will allow the practitioner to adapt to any situation, self defence, self discipline, life in general and working with other.

Using these principles, Sifu David has managed being on the autistic spectrum, PTSD from police work and operating a martial arts school.

During the process of Launching under the name Synergy Tao, Sifu David reflected that the martial arts market was saturated by sport focused martial arts or MMA schools with no underpinning philosophies. These corporate machines have the benefit of Gvt sponsorship and have budgets with which to dominate the online marketing tools.

Sifu David, Realising other local businesses with a similar interest in putting the health and welfare of their clients and students ahead of financial gain might also be facing the same challenges. With this in mind Sifu David set out a business plan of Bold action to help other businesses in The local area to achieve their goals, not through capitalist competition but through community people power and co-operation.

The vision started of a Holistic Health Village where Businesses and community could contribute a fair amount and be able to operate their business in a location where they could have a dedicated space in a shared location to cut costs, improve services, and pass the benefits on to the public to help make holistic health services more accessible for all, a hub destination undert he philosphy he stands for.

To begin this journey Sifu David began to reach out to the community and get the seed of the vision planted. This led quickly to the development of the brand "Synergy Tao Holistic Health Hub" and the first stages of development. No big corporate sponsorship, no trust fund or Debt. A clean slate to be nurtured and grown for and by the community it intends to serve. From there the first material service was launched. The custom built Holistic Health Hub directory and the linked social media groups aimed at providing professional support and meaningful connections between local holistic practitioners and holistic health seekers in the Telford and Shropshire area.

This is where the journey began, the first seeds planted, nurtured and starting to route. This vision intended to grow naturally through being nurtured by mutual co-operation and support. As these roots establish, Sifu David intends to help every business within the hub grow together. The trunk,branches and leaves eventually spreading out into a canopy of thriving independent co-operative holistic practices and a healthy community.

With Your Help by being a part of the Holistic community, as a health seeker, practitioner, retailer, or even as a philanthropist, this vision can show how together we can be stronger, fitter, healthier and ethical than the mega corporations who are monetising your health with sub standard, over priced, generic products.

Though Sifu David is the founder, he sees himself as the Guardian of this vision, You are the embodiment of it, the foundation, the structure, the fruit, and ultimately the benefactor of it. Welcome to our Journey, Join us in these first steps towards a healthier, prosperous future of community power and Harmonious living.

Phone: +44 7956 096359
Email: sifudavid@synergytao.co.uk
Website: synergytao.co.uk
Website: synergytaohub.co.uk
Facebook: @synergytao
Facebook: @synergytao-holistichealthhub
Instagram: @synergy_tao
Bluesky: sifudavidridgway

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Telford, Shropshire

Classes & Services

Wing Chun

Practical self-defence built on structure, timing and relaxed power. Suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners.

Qigong

Calm movement and breathwork to improve balance, posture and wellbeing. A great complement to martial training.

Holistic Martial Arts

An integrated approach combining mindful movement, partner drills and meditation for resilience and focus.

Checked and Insured

Enhanced DBS checked by Telford and Wrekin council and fully insured through Insure4sport.

What to Expect

Friendly, supportive sessions with clear progressions focusing on posture, breath, structure and timing.

Vision of Holistic Health Village — The Vision of a Holistic Health Village with practitioners and health seekers all thriving together as a community.

Tree diagram showing growth plan for the community — From the first seeds planted as a vision, the aim is to grow through community support nurturing the project through each growth stage until it matures and flourishes like a tree. Then spreading our success to other areas like a forest not a corporate machine.

Location & Service Area

Telford, Shropshire. Classes serve the wider Shropshire area.

Looking for other services? Browse the Holistic Service Directory – Telford & Shropshire.