Meet Irina Adam

Qwan Ki Do England Founder and Technical Director

Tai Chi Instructor

Over 30 years of martial arts dedication, now guided by experience, leadership and a mother’s perspective.

With over 18 years of teaching in England and formative years as a junior and assistant instructor in Romania, Irina Adam brings more than three decades of continuous training, growth and mentorship within martial arts.

As Founder and Technical Director of Qwan Ki Do England, she has built a structured and supportive environment where children and adults develop not only technical skill, but confidence, discipline and resilience.

Her approach is shaped not only by competition experience and international leadership, but also by motherhood. Understanding first-hand the worries parents carry – from bullying to emotional pressure – she is deeply committed to helping young people grow strong, independent, and secure in themselves.

Her mission goes beyond teaching technique. It is about guiding each student to become their best version, on the training mats and in life.

Transition from Student to Instructor

Irina Adam began her martial arts journey in 1991 in Bacau, Romania. What started as a simple desire to spend time with friends evolved into a lifelong path of discipline, perseverance, and mastery. While many around her left training, she remained discovering a deep passion for movement, structure, and personal growth.

By the age of 13, she was already mentoring younger students preparing for championships. At 16, she achieved her Black Belt and became an assistant instructor, teaching adults, juniors, and children. Her development was shaped through responsibility, observation, self-study, and a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology.

Introducing Qwan Ki Do to the United Kingdom

After moving to London at 19 without speaking English, Irina rebuilt her path from the ground up. She quickly learned the local language, culture and pursued extensive qualifications within the UK fitness industry, including Level 3 Personal Training, Exercise to Music, Circuits, Aqua Fitness, and Sports Massage, while working across London gyms as a personal trainer and instructor.

Determined to bring Qwan Ki Do to the UK, she returned to Romania to complete her First Dan Black Belt and was officially appointed by Founder Master Pham Xuan Tong as Technical Leader for England. With this appointment, she became the first female Technical Director within the international system.

Starting with small adult groups and later expanding to children’s classes, she steadily built Qwan Ki Do England. In 2012, she established the Qwan Ki Do London headquarters. Since then, the organisation has produced European and International Championship medalists and expanded into additional branches.

Teaching Philosophy & Vision

Irina’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that the only true competition is with oneself. Her teaching combines discipline, technical precision, mental resilience, and character development, encouraging students to grow through challenge and perform with confidence under pressure.

She continues to train and prepare for World Championships, demonstrating lifelong learning and leadership by example.

With over 15 years of teaching in England, her vision has expanded to developing new instructors and strengthening the school to reach more children and families. Becoming a mother further deepened her mission to help young people build confidence, discipline, independence, and practical self-defence skills. Her goal is to create a supportive community where students develop both martial arts ability and the values needed to thrive in life beyond the dojo.

Finding Balance Through Tai Chi

Tai Chi has been part of Irina’s martial arts journey since her teenage years, beginning as a complementary practice that balanced the strength and competitiveness of martial arts with calmness, internal awareness, and mental focus. Over the years, she deepened her practice through seminars and training with Founder Master Pham Xuan Tong.

During pregnancy and the COVID period, daily Tai Chi became an essential practice for maintaining balance, clarity, and emotional stability. This experience inspired Irina to begin teaching Tai Chi more intentionally, supporting members seeking stress relief, wellbeing, and inner balance rather than competition.

Today, her hugely popular Tai Chi classes in Hendon welcome adults and seniors looking to improve balance, flexibility, and mental calm. Irina’s vision is to grow a supportive wellbeing community where students reconnect with themselves, build resilience, and carry a sense of peace into everyday life.