Another Great Clip of Chen Yu

Precision...

I really miss training with Shifu. Whenever I watch his clips on youtube I am always awestruck by his precision, grace and power. I've been struggling with work schedule, finances and heel pain in recent months. I am desperately trying to get back into shape to return to training with one of the most fantastic people/teacher I have ever met. Look at the alignment of Shifu's body in the image above, the line of his knee, left elbow, right elbow and hand... wow, that is truly something. I terribly miss his teaching and his presence. But i'll be back... soon.

Power of Chen Tai Chi - A Good Example

A Different Type of Chen Practice

Another clip of Chen Yu

Intro Session this coming Sunday!!

This is the new year, "The Year of the Dragon," and it is a most auspicious time to begin training in a great martial art like Chen Tai Chi. This coming Sunday we will have our regular training session, AND welcome any newbies interested in trying out a session with us.

We will be at our new location:Just click on the link and read about it, and see a picture of the entrance way, so you won't get confused.

Here are the details of the intro class:
100 Hester St
try to be there by 9am sharp!!
please note that parking can be found if you get into the neighborhood by 8:30am, after that, parking can be difficult for those of you that drive.

Hope to see some of you there!!

Understanding What Places the Energy Should Go To

In my last class that I attended Shifu had us practicing some basics. Let me tell you, lol, basics with Shifu are unlike basics I've ever done anywhere else, lol. His basics usually are a combination of footwork, technique and body mechanic all designed to improve both our skill and understanding.

The pic above shows the completion of a given move. What is important is the emphasis that Shifu placed upon where there should be energy driven to. While the natural impulse is just to look at the final positions of the hands; Shifu also emphasized the need to have energy in the posterior aspect of the shoulder as well.

To me, these subtleties of energy and body shift/turning/spiralling, etc, are what truly define Kung Fu as a more sophisticated martial art than anything I have studied previously over a 40 year span of training. Chen Tai Chi is Real Kung Fu, as it is taught by Shifu.

Several students have asked me how I remember so much from the classes. I find it is helpful to write things down after class, and I spend considerable time trying to recall all I see in class.