This coming Sunday, 1st New Meetup for 2011!

We have a Sunday meetup class scheduled this weekend.
8:45am arrival time is recommended for a 9am start.
This will give you newbies a chance to warm up and start to feel
comfortable with all of us.

The first meetup is always free. Hope to see you there.
Come and join a small, really nice and dedicated group to learn
Chen Style Tai Chi with!

390 Broadway
2nd Floor
Just two blocks south of Canal St.
For info:
Jeff
347-641-9215

Another Vid Clip of Master Yu Guo Shun

Wow, I was really excited to find this video clip. This is one I hadn't seen before.
Hope you all enjoy.
J

Master Yu Guo Shun Demonstrates Xin Jia

I am still learning the Lao Jia Yi Lu, but I love watching all the Chen forms and trying to see what the differences are. From what I understand, training in the Laojia will strengthen and condition the body to do the Xinjia which may be more physically demanding and challenging due to the lower stances, and smaller movements. At least that is what I have heard from some of the students. Please, any errors in that statement, are on me and NOT a reflection of the teaching I have received.

Sure hope you all enjoy watching this video clip.
Master Yu Guo Shun's ability demonstrating is always so very beautiful to watch and aspire towards.
J

Blizzard in New York City!

Man, all of you here in the NYC area know we were hit hard by snow over the weekend.
Here is a pic of a much more stronger guy than me. He's got the right idea, imo.
But I was taught long ago, that if a person had 3 square feet, he or she had enough room to practice tai chi and I believe that wholeheartedly.

During inclement weather conditions, finding creative ways to practice can make us more successful in our martial growth. Practice of one particular stance can prove useful; I personally like to practice standing on one leg, as I think my balance is too easily challenged. Working on deeper stances is another thing we can do. Flexibility in our hips is useful and can slowly and steadily be developed with a minimum of space indoors.

Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with practicing in one's mind, going through the form with shorter steps, or maybe less attention to the bigger picture, and then when we find an area we are not certain of, then, slowing down markedly and THEN focusing on the smaller detail we need to improve. This allows us to retain memory of the movements in the form, and then improve on our trouble spots.

Another indoor activity is to check out the various media available: cds, books, dvd's, posters, etc. By doing this we can examine things like history, how to progress, philosophies, characters, and maybe get new ideas for supplementary training to improve in areas like flexibility, or strength, or endurance, or even just overall conditioning.

But, if you have the gumption and the appropriate clothing and a nice warm temperment, you can be like that guy in the picture; head out for a nice patch of snow and start pounding the mortar or just enjoying the beauty of the practice outdoors. More power to all of you!
J

More on the Tai Chi Balls

I'm fairly obsessive i've been told, so I've been actively seeking out and searching for sources of where to find suitable balls for tai chi ball training. Apparently, some are made of wood, some are stone, and the ones we see sometimes are made of metal spheres, phew!

Weights vary, obviously depending upon size and weight. I just got off the phone with a great guy, named, Roger who makes a variety of classical/traditional asian type of weight training apparatus. His website is http://www.atomicathletic.com

The prices seem high, but I believe that to find good quality and unique esoteric equipment is VERY difficult, and if you're serious, it's worth the expense. Roger seems like a really good guy, and he will travel to experts to get his designs just right. He even sells and manufactures the stone padlocks that the shaolin temple, here in Flushing uses! That's great stuff.

More to come as I learn and grow in my research about the tai chi ball training!
J

This is the pavilion in Columbus Park, Chinatown, NY. When I was a kid, I used to play here with my cousins. We'd play ball, run around, and played with caps and cap grenades. I wonder how many of you remember those?

Anyway, this pavilion is where I trained quite a few times with Shifu. It's a great place to practice tai chi, and I will always remember learning my Chen style sword form here.

As I've stated before, I don't know what it is about training here in Chinatown, but it just feels really right to me. My close friends who train in other systems here in Chinatown have also expressed the same feelings as I.

It's neat to have my childhood memories of this place, and now as an adult it feels really neat to be making more memories now, doing something positive for myself.
J

After Class...

Christmas morning, we had class in the park. It was awesome to go work out, clean up alot of detail in my forms practice, and then get ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
The picture above is the lunch/brunch I had prior to going to piok up my love for the holiday. Perhaps it wasn't the healthiest meal, but it sure was filling and tasted really great, too!

2-2.5 hours of Chen tai chi training will build up quite an appetite. The meal above was from a very nice vietnamese restaurant here in Chinatown. It's one of the benefits of training here; after class we can always find a delicious and inexpensive meal.

For more detail on my lunch above... there is tea, a pineapple milk shake, beef cubes with fried rice, and a couple of sunny side up fried eggs...While I ate, I reviewed the corrections I received in class, plus sat and absorbed the application theory that Shifu showed us in class. Really, these are great times. My life really feels fuller with Chen Tai Chi in my life.
J

New Students

Today, we had 2 new folks come by and join us for today's class. I'm always excited to see new folks in class, hoping they will join our group and have the benefit of Shifu's teaching.

It's always very useful to watch and observe as Shifu shows the newbies certain things. Today as an example, he had one fellow just press his back against Shifu's back...then, Shifu stepped away, and wow, the guy had great position and alignment of his body and weight. It was amazing seeing that transformation in a new student, and THEN, I was able to check my positioning in the mirror to see if I was aligned well. VERY cool.

Watching Shifu correct a newbie's hand positions was also enlightening...I had been told one particular meaning for a given hand placement; yet, watching Shifu today, he did yet ANOTHER meaning for the same hand placement. It was like a small stroke of enlightenment because in my own mind, I had envisioned a series of applications for that hand positioning, and once I saw the OTHER meaning, well, now I have yet another series of applications that I can envision, practice with and work on.

Yesterday, was Christmas day and we practiced. And, today was my regularly scheduled class. This weekend was the FIRST time since I began training with Shifu, that I could do successive days of practice!! In the past several months, i'd be sooooo sore following one class, that I needed 2-3 days to recover before even beginning to hope that I could take another class. I was totally psyched today. Even though I was shot today, after a couple of hours, still, the progress and improvement in my leg strength is obvious. Way to end the year...I'm totally looking forward to the progress I will have coming in the near future.

I mention this because as a new student, i'm sure sometimes it has to be difficult dealing with memorization, physical changes, and general fatigue and everything fitting into our work and day to day life schedules; stick with it, don't be discouraged and I promise you WILL grow with Shifu's instruction!
J

First to teach publically.

This is a pic of Chen Fa Ke. He was the first to teach publically in Beijing, China.
The father of Chen Zhaokui.
J

Lineages...

Politics aside, I believe all Chen Style and Chen schools of Tai Chi are really awesome. It helps to know that different lineages have resulted in slight differences in practice and approach. Especially for beginners this type of knowledge helps them to comprehend and understand why they may notice differences in posture or form, as they seek out various media to learn about what they are practicing.

Chen Fa Ke was the first to start teaching the public openly in Beijing, China. Various sources have listed 1928 as the year Chen Tai Chi was taught outside of Chen Village. Chen Fa Ke had a son, Chen Zhaokui. Chen Fa Ke promoted the Xinjia as well as Laojia forms of Chen Tai Chi. The new forms were also promoted by Chen Zhaokui and Chen Fa Ke's nephew.

According to wikipedia's article on Chen Tai Chi, Chen Zhaokui returned to Chen village to assist and eventually succeed Chen Zhao Pei in teaching.

Variations in lineage appear with those trained in Beijing, to those in the Chen village that accepted the Xinjia forms, and those that chose to reject or emphasize less, the new forms of Chen Tai Chi.

I don't personally believe that one lineage is better than another. I believe that Chen Style Tai Chi, so long as it is taught by a competent instructor, offers tremendous benefits to all practitioners. Knowing the history and the lineages of what one studies can be useful, but certainly in my opinion, lineages should not be used solely to judge the "value" of a given teacher or system of practice.

Me? I always like to have options in all things in life.
J

Other Sources of Information

I really enjoy and look forward to my classes with Master Yu. Once there, I am practicing very intensely and able to ask questions about the Chen style. Unfortunately when not in class, i'm always hungry for more information about the Chen Style, whether it be about different teachers, or weapons, or video clips, or books, i'm always charged up and ready to try out a new book or videotape.

Unfortunately, sometimes the information isn't what we hope for. Whether it be because the performer isn't up to snuff, or the material itself might be questionable in its context or accuracy.

I'll do my best when I find things worthy of study to share it with all you readers.

Please bear with me, if I make errors in my interpretation of whatever sources I may be examining at any given time, always with the caveat, that i'm NO expert, and really just a beginner in Chen style, myself.

It's really a great style of martial art. I hope my writings in some way does justice to the art itself.
J

Meetup Class. Saturday, Dec.26th!

Hi!
A perfect Christmas gift is introducing yourself to Chen Tai Chi and having an awesome workout with us.

The time will be at 8:45am. That allows you a few minutes to stretch and warm up prior to the official start of our session.

390 Broadway, 2nd floor
just a couple of blocks south of Canal St.

It'd be great to see you there!

With respect,
J
If you wish more info, prior, you can call me at:347-641-9215.

Tai Chi Ball Class!

One of our visitors here posted on my tai chi ball post.
They are doing a class on the tai chi ball in Jan and Feb.
I like that they are open minded to sharing information with us!
http://www.internalarts101.com/classes.html#B1
I bet it will be a great class, and I look forward to trying it out to help improve my Chen skills!
J

Effective Self Defense...

I remember Shifu demonstrating a large number of variations of application off a particular movement from the Lao Jia form. I was amazed at the practicality of each given technique shown, and Shifu was applying them against different students of many different sizes and body shapes. Some included throws, some included takedowns, some included kicks and sweeps.

What also impressed me greatly, was Shifu emphasizing to us that different techniques were available off EITHER side, against a variety of different types of attacks. He was very clear, that the applications were "always more than just a defense off a push..."

What was amazing to me also, wasn't just the seemingly endless array of techniques, but how the POSTURE emphasized in the form would lend itself to a variety of traps, locks and leg/arm immobilizations.

Very frankly, Chen Style Tai Chi offers MUCH more than I originally had even hoped for or expected when I first began embarking on my journey to learn this beautiful system of martial art. Having a teacher who can also show and demonstrate every move and an array of potential technique/application is a real gift.
J

Chen Wang Ting

Following the Ming dynasty, there was a retired General named Chen Wang Ting. He was alive from 1580 to 1660. He was the one who founded Chen Tai Chi Chuan by combining a number of theories with his military experience and the fighting art that was present within the Chen family at that time. He had a 108 movement long fist routine, a cannon fist routine and he was inventor of the push hands exercises.

Tai Chi Ball?

Personally, I think I have adult attention deficit disorder. I like to try different things, i'm often easily sidetracked when working on a given project. I am always fascinated by gadgets and various types of supplementary training.

For many years, i've heard of, but had never seen anyone doing the "tai chi ball." I found the concept of this fascinating. Was it a solid ball? Made of what? Concrete, or stone, or metal... wood... I couldn't fathom how large it might be or how heavy, it is "supposed to be."

In recent times, thankfully to youtube, there are now a number of vid clips demonstrating a variety of uses of the "tai chi ball." In the future I will include a vid clip so you all can follow along with a given example of this training method.

Does practicing with the "tai chi ball" help? I don't know. I expect that one day, i'll buy a heavy medicine ball and try out some of the things i've seen... until that day, though... let's wonder together. It's stuff like this that keeps me enthused and interested until the next chance I get to head off for class.
J

Ma Hong

My Shifu in Chen Tai Chi is Master Yu Guo Shun. He was a disciple of Ma Hong, pictured above. Ma Hong was born in 1927 and is from Shenzhou, Hebei province in China. He was an indoor student of Chen Zhaokui, the son of Chen Fa Ke.

Ma Hong is a prolific author of Chen Tai Chi, and has a series of books and DVDs available outlining various elements of Chen Tai Chi.

I enjoy watching clips of him on youtube, as he is still able to perform with low postures and stances and move easily and well despite his age.
J

Chen Zhao Kui

The above picture is of Chen Zhaokui. He lived from 1928 till 1981. He grew up in Beijing and was the son of Chen Fake. He was famous for teaching many of the well known masters today, such as Ma Hong, and he was the father of Chen Yu. He was well known for his catching and joint locking skills.

I looked him up because Shifu mentioned him to me yesterday, while in class. It is nice to be able to study an art, where we can readily trace the lineages of what we practice.
J

Wise Words to Apply to Training

While researching some of the history of Chen Tai Chi on the web, I came across a webpage on Chen Zhaokui. The author of the biography wrote several lines which I am paraphrasing:

A person must learn something and then practice the little that they learn every day, gradually increasing their knowledge.

The progression is as follows: Learn enough to have something to be able to practice. Practice to improve, that bit you have learnt. Improve to gain skill. Keep at this steadily.

This progression will yield skill in any endeavor.

I really think those are great words of advice to follow.
J

Tai Chi a Functional Martial Art?

When I began my martial arts career, I spent the first 15 years training in Tae Kwon Do, and Japanese Karate systems. When I first decided to seek out tai chi training, frankly I was quite skeptical. My first tai chi teacher was William CC Chen. When I expressed my doubts to him, he asked me to punch him full force anywhere on his body. I was reluctant, but did it. Repeatedly, each punch harder than the last, and every time, he absorbed shots that I knew in the past had downed fellow students in my karate/tae kwon do classes. Then I asked how slow movements could be useful in training power and striking ability. He just grinned, said, "like this!" and POW. His very close punch lifted me off the ground and I was sold.

Over 20 years later, again, I was seeking out instruction in Tai Chi and this time I sought out Master Yu Guo Shun. As I participated in his class he demonstrated application after application for movements out of the form. This time I was older and wiser, and no one had to get punched, and I didn't receive any strikes, but I knew the real deal when watching it now, and I was seeing a true expert in fighting ability. Chen style tai chi is the original tai chi and from our schools of training, sprang up the Yang style, and from the Yang style sprang up the Wu styles and subsequent Sun Styles of tai chi.

I believe strongly that with the appropriate teacher who understands and can explain what his meant to be happening, and that with proper practice, Tai Chi Chuan can be a very functional and usable martial art for fighting. Check it out! Especially Chen Tai Chi.
J

Preparations...

A typical day, I woke up, showered, and got ready for work AND got ready for class.
Had my small backpack, with my sword in it, spare t-shirt, some water... packed a down vest, and just now, went out for lunch and got a pair of gloves.

I'm not one for gloves normally, but it WAS very cold out. Stung actually, just standing there waiting for the light to change. Just got off the phone with Shifu, and we just confirmed our intentions to be in the park later...

I'm psyched, and hope that it's ok to wear the gloves. Either way, i'm glad that I won't be skipping a beat. Even passed up on an offer of a free dinner at a local grand opening of a Korean restaurant... Yeah!!

Sword practice or food? The answer is clear!
J

Too cold to practice?

I'm not sure if my enthusiasm for class comes across in this blog. I seriously work everything else around my class schedule. Tonight we're supposed to have class outside, and it's supposed to get down to 20 degrees farenheit today. I have a down vest in my car, and maybe I can find a sweater in my car, too... don't really know.
But I can't wait till I get out there later and train with Shifu! Originally, I had my tuesday lesson, first in a dance studio space, then from there, we went to my home, and now we are back in the park in Chinatown. I really love training there! There is a pavilion that we use sometimes in the evening, and the atmosphere there really makes me feel glad that i'm training and learning there.
J

My Teacher with His Teacher

This picture is of my teacher, Master Yu Guo Shun with his teacher, Ma Hong. Shifu has been a disciple of Ma Hong since 1989 in China.

Grace and Beauty with Kung Fu

Shifu often has stated that Chen style is a real kung fu system. He's also stated that it should be done beautifully as well. I agree that is one of the very special things I've come to love about Chen Tai Chi. Here is another pic of Shifu.
For more videos of Shifu, please go to his youtube page: HERE

Leg Soreness and Memory Loss...

Since I've begun training in Chen Tai Chi, I have become too familiar with leg soreness. My thighs and butt, sure get sore following the two days after each class session. The funny thing is that clearly, my legs have gotten stronger. My stances have gotten deeper, and i'm better able to weight shift from one side to the other when in stance and transitioning to another move. Sometimes, on Sunday, when I get home from class, it isn't unusual for me to fall into a deep sleep in the afternoon for an hour or so. I keep on training with the optimistic belief that one day, my legs will no longer be sore after a long session of training.

Today, I have a sudden episode of memory loss. Well not really, but despite practicing the same sequence yesterday for most of two hours, today, I can only recall bits and pieces. I'm not discouraged, but it makes me wonder sometimes, if I ever HAD a better memory. I'm approaching an age when early signs of dementia and alzheimer's are sometimes evident. (Just kidding here, don't worry!)

Anyway, I mention these two things in my writing today, because it isn't just me. When I speak to other members in class, it appears that my symptoms are recognized and often felt by others!

The good thing is that when we DO remember the sequences and the movements are done well, it sure feels good inside and I will experience a cool level of satisfaction and pleasure that even I can be aware of progress.
J

Basics, basics!

In class, the group as a whole practices the Lao Jia Yi Lu form. Today, several of us, were struggling with some of the kicking sequences in the form. Shifu reminded us that when we have a chance at home or before or after class, it is a good idea to practice performing some of the basic kicks. We worked on crescent kicks from outside in, crescent kicks from inside out, front snap kicks and jumping front snap kicks, and concluded with some type of 540 degree backspinning/jumping crescent kick from the outside in.

For sure basics aren't necessarily a whole lot of fun, but Shifu was right in that with more practice of the basics, when called upon to execute these kicks in the form, we will be able to pull them off more appropriately with more clean definition and power.
J

The 4 Tigers or Diamonds of Chen Tai Chi

In the 1980s, a journalist coined the term, "the Four Tigers," when describing some of the leading experts/teachers of Chen Tai Chi that were travelling and spreading the word of Chen Tai Chi. They travelled internationally and all were from the Chen Village of Henan province, in China, the birthplace of Tai Chi. On the internet, they are also known as the 4 Diamonds of Chen Tai Chi as well.

The 4 Tigers were taught by Chen Zhao Kui and Chen Zhao Pei. They were direct relatives of Chen Fake.

The 4 Tigers are: Chen Xiao Wang, Chen Zhen Lei, Wang Xian and Zhu Tian Cai.
Reportedly each of them have their own unique specialties, while also being outstanding experts in Chen Tai Chi.

Sweating

I remember years ago reading in a book somewhere that we weren't supposed to sweat wehn practicing tai chi. That was years ago, when I was doing the Yang Short Form. The other day, in class, one of my friends laughingly commented that I shouldn't be sweating, right?

Well, I've notice that in my Chen Tai Chi class, most of us DO sweat, and Shifu has commented to me, that we should be sweating, if we are practicing seriously.

"Chen Style is REAL kung fu." Shifu has stated that repeatedly to us, and having seen his applications and having struggled to learn the movements of the Chen forms, I really do agree.

Sweating? Don't worry about it. Just concentrate on trying to do each movement correctly and with proper intention.
J

Stance and Foot Placement

I remember that during my first training session in Chen Tai Chi, Master Yu told me to be aware of my stance. He was concerned that the stance was the correct width, that there were the proper weight shift proportions applied, the correct height, and that I was keeping my center low enough.

Another thing he taught me that day was that foot placement would allow for easier movement in transition to the next following movement. Later again, after a few more lessons had passed, this point was emphasized again, to permit easier repositioning of my feet/body/legs with subsequent movements.

One of my earliest observations in regards to stance was that while the feet were planted, the hips held plenty of action, with weightshifing going on from one side to the other, and sometimes waist turning or movements of the upper body happening.

Very clearly, Chen Tai Chi as taught by Master Yu Guo shun was very dynamic and very sophisticated in its exploration and emphasis upon appropriate detail.
J

Master Yu Guo Shun

Felt strange not to have Shifu's video clip on here first, so, here is the clip that gave me no choice but to seek out Shifu for the opportunity to learn from him.

Fighting the Battle of the Bulges...

One of the reasons I decided to learn Chen Tai Chi was for some active exercise. I've always loved martial arts, and wanted to learn something that was effective, yet beautiful. Watching Shifu always makes me want to train harder and get into better shape. I'm quite a bit overweight, but hoping that the 4-6 hours I put in each week will help me cut down a bit.

I found this vid clip on youtube of one of the Chen Masters that Shifu studied with. Gives me hope that I can grow and improve despite my ownself and my physique.

It's clear that Master Chen Yu has alot of power, grace and skill.
Enjoy the clip!

Training Outdoors in the Park - Chinatown, NY, USA

My first meeting with Shifu took place in Chinatown, NYC. He was one of the instructors teaching in Columbus Park, NYC. What stood out about Shifu was how graceful he was in his movements. The next thing noticeable was the power evident even in the softest of movements he was demonstrating. Among many trained individuals practicing in the park, Shifu really shined in his skill and technique, and his demeanor. The students practicing there, who would eventually become my friends and seniors, were all very serious and practicing with intensity and the occasional smile which betrayed their fun and enthusiasm for what they were doing.

I had participated before in other martial arts in outdoor style training at seminars and such, but training here was a very different and profound experience. Amidst the bustle of an adjacent soccer field, there were ladies training in fans, and swords... there were other tai chi teachers present, filipino style martial artists... alot of postive energy filled air and the environment I enjoyed to a very high degree.

Shifu was the only instructor in the park actively showing and presenting applications for the form he was presenting to class. The applications he showed were fast, economical and highly efficient and clearly effective. He demonstrated on a number of the senior students, on people of varying sizes and physique. Many photographers dotted the landscape in the park and invariably all would come by where Shifu was teaching Chen Tai Chi and spend many minutes photographing our group. It made me feel great that we stood out amidst all the practitioners in the park.

When the sun is out, and a gentle breeze is blowing, and we are practicing our forms in the park, it really is a wonderful experience. Chen tai chi is a very physical kung fu system, and sweating and training outdoors in the park simply feels really good. I wish I could better express this in words. Hopefully some of you will come out and join us in the park as we train and grow in our understanding of Chen Tai Chi.
J

Master Yu Guo Shun

For MORE VIDEOCLIPS of Master Yu, please click on HERE!

This is a picture of Master Yu Guo Shun. He is an incredibly humble martial artist, very polite, very considerate, thoughtful and a wonderful teacher who clearly transmits his passion and love for martial arts and teaching. My sincere thanks to him. I am inspired to train harder and with more intensity whenever I see him.

J

What IS Chen Tai Chi?

Almost everyone I know of has heard of tai chi. The vast majority of people all believe that tai chi is an exercise that involves slow movement and is meant primarily for health training and benefits. There are several different schools of tai chi chuan. The most well-known are Yang, Wu, Sun and Chen styles.

Having trained in Yang style short form for many years, I can assure all my readers without hesitation that comparing Yang tai chi to Chen Tai Chi is like comparing apples and oranges. Chen Tai Chi, as presented by my teacher, Master Yu Guo Shun, is very clearly a combative training approach to true martial art, real Kung Fu.

In every class, my teacher takes time to present, demonstrate and show some of the martial applications of a given movement to the class. Again, having trained in Yang style and having seen many other instructors demonstrate application for what they do, there are many, many differences in application, structure and interpretation.

Beyond any shadow of a doubt, training and participating in Chen style Tai Chi as we do it, is an incredible fitness and athletic demand on the body. Generally we use much lower stances, do greater weight shifting and changes of movement within a much smaller realm of physical attribute and there are sudden bursts of energy and motion that is not seen in the Yang system.

Wikipedia has a nice introduction to Chen style Tai Chi. Here is the link/url of their page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen-style_tai_chi_chuan
Hopefully i've piqued your interest and you'll check it out.
J

Finding Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan here in NYC

Many years ago, I diligently practiced tai chi chuan, yang style short form and was very happy and pleased with my results garnered from training. I have to confess, that I enjoyed the relaxing and gentle/soft way of pactice and that training appealed to a "lazier" side of me that I carried over for some time. Prior to my training in this system, I had heard of Chen style tai chi but examples of it, in books, or vids or personal appearances that I saw showed very little and left me clueless as to what I was missing in my training. I figured it was mostly hype, frankly.

Later, over 12 years later, I heard there was a well respected Chen teacher here in my area. I went to visit his class, was I was a bit put off by the large class he had, and a rather arrogant attitude that I perceived. I have to say I was quite put off.

At this point, i'd like to clarify a bit about myself. I have been a long time martial artist, beginning my training in 1971. I've studied with Korean teachers, Japanese teachers, Americans, Chinese, and Filipino instructors. I've encountered all the various types of operations... those commercial and those not, the instructors who were all business and the instructors that didn't care for payment, but wanted loyalty and a personal approach to things.

So, when I met this Chen instructor, I was saddened and disheartened and put aside any thoughts of ever re-examining or looking into Chen Tai Chi.

Forward a few years later, I decided I needed to get off my growing bottom and seek out some more learning experiences, as I was very efficient with my own training in Kali. I looked around for various kung fu and tai chi instructors and systems and frankly, was beginning to give up hope, until one day, I found a tiny internet spot that spoke of training with a teacher of Chen tai chi. I tracked down a video clip and within 30 seconds, no lie, I knew I had to go and see this teacher. I went to his class, and asked to participate and join. Suffice to say, I have been since obsessed and thrilled to find this wonderful instructor of Chen Tai Chi. My bottom hasn't yet gotten any smaller, but I feel more vibrant and enthused about my life and my personal training has all been enhanced since I started my journey with my teacher. This blog will share some of my experience training in Chen Tai Chi. I hope you enjoy reading and coming along on my journey here.
J