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