Do you offer remote/video lessons?
No. I cannot guarantee high quality teaching remotely. I need to be able to walk 360 degrees around you to judge your performance, and to apply corrections I need to lightly touch your limbs or joints to show you the proper form.
Do you offer classes for kids/teens?
No. To be honest, Tai Chi is boring for many adults and will be extra boring for most kids/teens. If you are at least 16 years old, you may apply to attend the regular adult classes; and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Can you fight with Tai Chi?
Yes and No. Can you stand toe to toe with a seasoned MMA fighter and win with Tai Chi alone? Probably not. Can you get the average brawler on the ground or a knife out of their hand? Probably. If you already know another martial art, the depth work in this school will likely enhance your own existing skills as well.
Is Yang Style Tai Chi as good as (other) Style Tai Chi?
When the essence of Tai Chi is learned, any style can be as effective as any other. What is critical is to find an instructor who has received high quality training, is able to explain that training easily; and who can teach and transmit that teaching to their students.
I’ve never heard of Tai Chi Ball or Ruler. Why are these such a focus in your school?
I picked up practice of the Tai Chi Ball after an in-person seminar by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. It was used infrequently until I read an interview in Tai Chi Magazine about the difference between Yang and Chen Style Tai Chi. The interviewed Master stated that both were equivalent in power so long as Yang practitioners doubled up on their (circular) silk reeling or Tai Chi Ball practice to compensate for the linear form.
I was intrigued, so I started practicing daily – 5 minutes at first, and after 6 weeks I had worked up to 20 minutes a session. I didn’t think much of it until about 2 months later when I started regularly getting asked by other students and instructors what I was doing differently. The increase in expressed power was that noticeable – gentle pulls turned into people coming off their feet! The Tai Chi Ruler was added later to provide a lower-impact entry into Tai Chi Ball, and because it’s easier for travel.
How much Chi Kung do you teach at your school?
Chi Kung is a fundamental part of Tai Chi, even though competing theories struggle to explain it in full. I teach what I would consider the essentials of Chi Kung for Tai Chi, up to small circulation. Most initial focus will be on proper breathing and directing the form with the center.
Is “Tai Chi Flu” real?
“Tai Chi Flu” refers to a couple different things. First, there is always the tendency when starting a new exercise routine to get sick after a week or two. This is generally because your body needs some time to flush out toxins, and develop extra blood flow and muscle mass to help all this new exertion you’re doing. Tai Chi is especially “bad” for this, because part of what it does is called “tendon washing.” During the moves you are literally rolling and twisting the muscles against each other inside your arms and legs, exercising them more in scope and intensity than a normal workout. So you get a little more sick!
Generally, after 2-3 rounds of mild illness and health over 6 months, one will arrive at good health and be in good shape to continue their workout practice, no matter if it’s Tai Chi or not.
The other side to this is that trauma in one’s life can create physical knots in the body. Exercising those knots can create great discomfort when one relives the painful feelings associated with the trauma. If you start reliving these memories during Tai Chi, or any exercise; you are encouraged to seek a trusted friend, mental health professional, or myofascial therapist who can assist. Your instructor can provide referrals to qualified professionals if needed.
I hear Tai Chi is horrible for your knees. How do you prevent this?
Tai Chi can be absolutely horrible for your knees. I prevent this by having learned from instructors who took knee health very seriously, and will quiz and drill regularly on it. My own knees are hypermobile so this is at the forefront each time I practice.
Can I perform in competitions with your form/teachings?
For the Long Form – not in standardized short form tournaments but yes in traditional or open format. There have been three generations of divergence from the official Yang Family form and the competition variants are shorter with standard judging metrics. For the sword forms, yes. For Push Hands I can give you a basic overview of what competing is like but it doesn’t much resemble what I teach.
How many Tai Chi Masters does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to change the bulb, two to comment on the other’s poor form.
I have a question that’s not answered here!
Feel free to drop by for a free introductory class and I’ll do my best to answer in-person. 🙂