Declan Mills is from Dublin and started learning Tai Chi under Ross Cousens in 2011 looking for a healthier lifestyle and to deepen his experience of movement and meditation. It quickly fulfilled everything he had been looking for and within a short time he was coming to several classes per week, one day and weekend workshops and going to Master Ding's workshops and residential retreats until he became a Master Ding Academy Instructor. He continues to train just as intensely and also goes to workshops, training weekends and retreats organised by Master Ding.
 
Declan holds an MA in Physical Theatre Studies from Mountview Academy (London) and the University of East Anglia.